Book Review by Jack Falt, INFJ
The elephant referred to in the title was a tiny elephant he found while on a walk in Zürich soon after he began taking his Jungian training there. It represented a new beginning for him as he began to train as an analyst and also to look deeply within himself. To be a good analyst, one must make the journey of analysis oneself. One must constantly look at what one is doing and the advice one gives. It is essential as an analyst, and almost any other career, to have some kind of outside observer act as a reality check on one’s work.
This book is an intimate look at how Sharp sees the theories of Jung played out in the author’s own life and in the lives of his patients. While he quotes some passages from the works of Jung, he explains their meaning and gives concrete examples that make Jung’s work so much more understandable. If you are like me, I find my mind wanders when I try to read anything written by Jung. His written work is usually quite abstract. As a dominant introverted intuitive, I am supposed to be more abstract in my thinking, but Jung is a bit too abstract even for me. Maybe when I become individuated, I’ll be able to read Jung just as I now read novels.
While we are trained to administer the MBTI® instrument, it is important for us to be as aware as we can be of what Jung was thinking when he wrote about psychological type. Sharp is able to give insight into Jung’s ideas. The author is quite willing to give personal anecdotes even when they are at his own expense. The value of administering the MBTI® instrument comes, when dealing with clients on a one-to-one basis or with groups, in being able to offer insights. The intuitive guess can often be right on the mark and provide an “aha” experience for them. The more Jungian background one has, the more likely a valuable insight will come forth.
The book looks at psychological types and how Jung used the terms. The author has a humorous piece about how a hypothetical dinner party would be if each of the eight types attended. Then the author moves on to archetypes and complexes, and how they are part of the personality. He discusses how we relate with others, including our attempts at intimacy. He answers some questions about the midlife crisis we all will have to move through at some point in our lives.
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to go through analysis with a Jungian? Sharp describes his own journey through analysis, which of course never ends. Finally, the author looks at psychological development, how we may become individuated, and what that means to our religious beliefs and spirituality.
I have read a lot of different books about Jung (never quite cracking the spine of a book actually written by Jung). This book was one I enjoyed. It was readable, insightful, entertaining and short.