The Mesmer bridge and the beginnings of Depth Psychology
Author: Christopher Chayban
There is something of the primitive left and embodied in Mesmer and his “theory of animal magnetism, despite the entrance into the enlightenment period. Whether it be his dissertation on Astrology or his techniques that border on the fringe of Western Reiki or Qi-Gong,” the primitive is still alive and well. Albeit, an unsystematized version of Western Reiki or Qi-Gong, Mesmer appeared to be tapping into what the East might call “Chi” or “Prana,” where the distortion or disruption of the flow the life-force energy is the cause of the disease. In addition to the East, with or without knowing, Mesmer was also bringing in the science of alchemy, to which was dying around his time. Maybe the last attempts for the science wanted to stay alive or perhaps Mesmer knew of Alchemy. Ellenberger says “He might also have been associated with secret societies”(Discovery of the Unconscious pg.58) to which, I would not be surprised either, given the nature of the language of his methods and theories.
The Intuitive Mesmer divined the concept of the “universal fluid,” which sounds strikingly similar to the Prima Materia that is the primal water and quote “found everywhere.” His theory is both primitive and futuristic. He says 1.)The fluid “fills the universe” and is the “connecting medium, 2.) The disease originates from the unequal distribution in the body, 3.) It can be channeled and stored and transferred to other people and lastly, 4.) The induced crises are critical to the cure (Discovery of the Unconscious pg.62). The first three correspond to the primitive methods of the East, that I have already described above, unblocking the chi, prana or life force. In the third point, there is instilled some principles of exorcism, transferring the life force from one object to another. But the last point is futuristic and important in relation to Depth Psychology. The crisis is essentially, the neurosis, the shadow, the unconscious, the heal in the wound that one is avoiding that must be provoked from which the light may shine forth. Mesmer, the crisis catalyst and this last point of provoking, we could say is the precursor to Jung’s confrontation with the unconscious. Since Mesmer was dishonest about his dissertation, it’s not inconceivable that the universal fluid was also ripped off and re-named for his own benefit. The movie on Mesmer that James gave us to watch, depicted him as an eccentric who genuinely cared about healing people. He seemed to be a very floaty character. Maybe, like how Jung tagged Nietzsche for cryptoamnesia and was not aware that he had lifted certain aspects of Astrology or Alchemy without realizing it.
Lastly, Mesmer contributed to the idea the rapport between analyst and analysand by having an “effective relationship with the magnetizer.” (Discovery of the Unconscious pg.71 &102)
Charcot, on the other hand, was not as primitive a personality as Mesmer. He was in line with the enlightenment movement, using rationalism and science to provide solutions to intangible illnesses like hysteria. He was considered to be the greatest neurologist of his time but the “Napoleon of Neuroses,” Ellenberger says, had become to be identified with the discovery of hysteria, hypnotism, dual personality, catalepsy, and somnambulism.” (Discovery of the Unconscious pg.95). Charcot pointed to the existence of unconscious “fixed ideas” as nuclei of certain neuroses” (Discovery of the Unconscious pg.102)to which Janet and Freud would develop, but be ultimately elaborated on by Jung with his concept of “complexes.”
In relation to his contribution to Depth Psychology, Charcot, was celebrated for his discovery of Hysteria and was a precursor to Freud, who was a precursor to Jung. (Discovery of the Unconscious pg.101)
Resources:
Ellenberger, H. (1970). The Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. London: HarperCollins Publishers
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