The Nature of Burn-Out and the Burn-Out of Nature: The Sloth and the Chickadee. Socio-Psychological, Ecological, Sacral-Political and Ethical Implications. Jungian and Alchemical Perspectives

摘要

Beginning with the analytic field, this paper introduces the problem of burn can as one of self-neglect that can be understood as ultimately suicidal. There follows a self outline of the aetiology of the pathology, before indicating the direction in which fealing may lie. The origins of a holistic worldview are being traced that allow us to see unity in the complexities of the different facets: the ancient teachings of the Chinese dehemists that later were reflected in the unus mundus concept of first Egyptian and Crabic, then European alchemical traditions. These ideas are linked with recent and arrent ecological concerns by drawing parallels between one of the most important hiropean alchemist-healers of the past - Paracelsus – and, moving to recent modern times, Wilhelm Reich. Here, the focus is on the later period of Reich's work. With his holistic perspective, Reich cannot only be seen as continuing the alchemist traditions, but should also be respected as the first eco-psychologist. The paper leads to the spiritual anplications of these ideas, towards a re-sacralization of analysis and radical (eco-) bolitic and ends with suggestions towards possible solutions of the present dilemma of andividual, collective and global burn-out in presenting the concept of 'radical hope'.