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

Abstract

Beginning with the analytic field, this paper introduces the problem of burn‐out as one of self‐neglect that can be understood as ultimately suicidal. There follows a brief outline of the aetiology of the pathology, before indicating the direction in which healing may lie. The origins of a holistic worldview are being traced that allow us to see the unity in the complexities of the different facets: the ancient teachings of the Chinese alchemists that later were reflected in the unus mundus concept of, first Egyptian and Arabic, then European alchemical traditions. These ideas are linked with recent and current ecological concerns by drawing parallels between one of the most important European 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 implications of these ideas, towards a re‐sacralization of analysis and radical (eco‐)politics, and ends with suggestions towards possible solutions of the present dilemma of individual, collective and global burn‐out in presenting the concept of ‘radical hope’.