Depth Psychology, War, and Bhakti

Abstract

This article explores how depth psychology and bhakti yoga offer insights into war and conflict. It argues that a lack of imagination fuels violence, while the "inspired imagination" provides coping mechanisms. Bhakti's focus on the "imaginal" and timeless peace, rather than historical trauma, offers a path to inner serenity. The essay highlights Gandhi's nonviolent activism and Tyagaraja's devotional music as examples of harnessing imagination for positive change, suggesting that cultivating our inner imaginative capacity is crucial for navigating and transcending the destructiveness of war.