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Analytical psychology is no laughing matter, but Verena Kast argues that in psychology we have not paid sufficient attention to laughter, mirth and the emotions of elation. She writes: ‘Joy has to do with a lifting of ego boundaries, a relaxation of defenses, permission to be and to reveal oneself, an opening of the self that is best expressed in the giving of a gift’ (p. 50). Further, she argues that joy's way of relaxing our boundaries is important for individuation; we must recall that individuation can only be achieved if the ego is relaxed enough to allow the symbols and directives of the transpersonal Self to be heard. Joy, inspiration and hope are crucial for the individuation process to be fulfilled. Indeed, she argues that this process cannot be successfully conducted if we are contracted, anxious and closed in our emotional lives.
Her argument is simple, straightforward and written in an easy style for readers who have had no exposure to analytical psychology. The book has a glossary of terms and the language is relaxed and conversational. This is what is called a crossover book because it fits the popular or self-help market, and yet shows evidence of scholarly activity and learning. The first few chapters are light and read like pop psychology but the book becomes more scholarly and intriguing toward the end. To my mind she has saved the best for last.
Kast writes: ‘It is astonishing how little has been written about joy, inspiration and hope - the emotions of elation - in the field of depth psychology’ (p. 3). This is an under-researched area since analysts tend to write about clients’ immediate concerns by tracing their complexes and neuroses. Patients do not come into therapy because they are happy or joyful, or want these emotions analysed. However Kast's argument is that many of us are suffering from neuroses precisely because we have not allowed ourselves to be joyful enough, or have been unable to ‘remember’ the joyful moments once the gloomier emot