he must come to a decision, than
which a more difficult one cannot be conceived. The symbol of the abyss,
of the parting of the ways, both were clearly contained in our parable.
The occurrence of the similar motive in myths and fairy tales is familiar.
The danger is obvious in that the hero generally makes an apparently quite
trivial mistake and then must make extraordinary efforts to save himself
from the effects of these few trivial errors. One more wrong step and all
would have been lost.

Introversion accordingly presents two possibilities, either to gain what
the mystic work seeks, or to lose oneself.

In introversion the libido sinks into "its own depths" (a figure that
Nietzsche likes to use), and finds there below in the shadows of the
unconscious, the equivalent for the world above which it has left, namely
the world of phantasy and memories, of which the strongest and most
influential are the early infantile memory images. It is the child's
world, the paradise of early childhood, from which a rigorous law has
separated us. In this subterranean realm slumber sweet domestic feelings
and the infinite hopes of all "becoming." Yet as Mephistopheles says, "The
peril is great." This depth is seducing: it is the "mother" and--death. If
the libido remains suspended in the wonder realm of the inner world the
man has become but a shadow for the world above. He is as good as dead or
mortally ill; if the libido succeeds however in tearing itself loose again
and of pressing on to the world above, then a miracle is revealed; this
subterranean journey has become a fountain of youth for it, and from its
apparent death there arises a new productiveness. This train of thought is
very beautifully contained in an Indian myth: Once on a time Vishnu
absorbed in rapture (introversion) bore in this sleep Brahma, who
enthroned on a lotus flower, arose from Vishnu's navel and was carrying
the Vedas, eagerly reading them. (Birth of creative thought from
introversion.) Because of Vishnu's rapture, however, a monstrous flood
overcame the world (swallowing up through introversion, symbolizing the
danger of entering into the mother of death). A demon profiting by the
danger, stole the vedas from Brahma and hid them in the deep. (Swallowing
of the libido.) Brahma wakes Vishnu and he, changing into a fish, dived
into the flood, battled with the demon (dragon fight), conquered him and
brought the vedas up again. (Prize attained with difficulty