Abstract

This hermeneutical study applies Jungian archetypes to Merton's writings. The author interprets Merton's concepts of Self-quest and pursuit of self-awareness in light of Jung's analysis. ;With the hermeneutical method of interpretation, Merton's writings are used as the data to investigate Jung's work on the structure of the psyche. This constituted analysis of Merton's writings to find descriptions of his experience that would fit Jung's archetypes. The three chosen texts, from different periods in Merton's life, revealed Jung's archetypes such as hero, shadow, anima, and the Self. ;In The Seven Storey Mountain, Merton's journey is about ego/Self separation. Jung stated that in the first half of life, a Self-quest is concerned with the establishment of the ego, fulfillment of biological needs and duties, and the achievement of a place in the world. Here the ego is formed by the yet hidden Self. Merton did not admit that his conscious direction of life was not the final answer to life. Merton refused to admit his shadow and anima side and set out to live a life of virtue. There is a strong correspondence between Merton's reflections and Jungian theory that suggests a pattern of ego/Self separation and individuation. ;Jung stated that in refusing to admit one's shadow side, one often compensates by living too narrow a life, excluding opportunities for total development. In his later writings, Merton was persuaded and admitted his shadow side which led to a new approach ensuring continued development. ;In New Seeds of Contemplation, Merton embarked further on his journey, defining contemplation clearly as the highest expression of human's intellectual and spiritual life. This relates to Jungian thought of individuation and totality of the personality. ;Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, represents the turning point in Merton's writing. Merton described the goal of contemplation as intuition of wisdom and initiation into the journey of the Self. Jung's archetype of the Self as a paradoxical unity, also, incorporates other archetypes into totality. ;Both Jung and Merton saw human experience as the starting point for self-awareness. The author probes the theme of the Self in depth. This study demonstrated the intensification and transformation of Merton's Self-quest in light of Jung's analysis. ;Further investigation could explore Merton's and other spiritual questors' writings in search of applications of Jungian archetypes