My father is a psychiatrist, my mother a social worker, my brother a psychiatrist, and I’ve got a B.A and an M.S. in psychology, but I’d still be hard-pressed to tell you exactly what Jungian psychology is. Something about archetypes and mythology, some semi-mystical belief that a “collective unconscious”, a system of archetypes, is inherited by all beings and forms the basis of our interpretation of the world.
Indeed, most of what I know about Jungian psychology comes from an amazing piece in the New York Times a few months back, Carl Jung and the Holy Grail of the Unconscious. Apparently, Carl Jung allowed himself to go off his rails for several years, and documented the resulting stream of visions in astounding detail, both written and drawn, in his Red Book. The result was that, as Sara Corbett of the NYT put it, “If you didn’t know the book’s vintage, you might confuse it for a lost medieval tome.”
The impetus for the article was that the Red Book, long hidden from all by a few privileged eyes by the guardians of Jung’s legacy, is now to be published in its entirety for all the read and, perhaps, learn from.
If you’d like to learn a bit about Jungian psychology, the Seattle C.J. Jung Society is sponsoring a talk and a workshop this Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the Good Shepherd Center:
Personal Myths: “Personal myths” are those beliefs and worldviews that consciously or unconsciously influence our decisions and give meaning to our lives. Some of these myths are helpful and some are harmful. This introductory lecture will describe the four factors that influence personal myths: biology, culture, interpersonal experiences, and transpersonal experiences. Suggestions will be given for identifying, evaluating, and transforming dysfunctional myths, beliefs, and worldviews. As the Greek philosopher Epictetus wrote, many centuries ago, “It is not what happens to us that is important, it is how we react to what happens to us that is important.” Friday, January 8, 2009, 7 to 9 p.m. Good Shepherd Center, Room 202, $15 members, $25 nonmembers. Tickets available through brownpapertickets.com.
Dreams and Personal Mythologies: We are all challenged to become proficient in understanding and transforming the underlying mythology that shapes our lives. This workshop attempts to help participants reach deeply into realms of inner wisdom to renew mythic visions and inspiration. Through a series of step-by-step exercises or “personal rituals,” participants will learn to orchestrate a transformation in the mythology they are living, starting with one of their vivid dreams
and identifying its mythic roots. If some participants cannot recall a dream, they can use a fantasy or daydream. Saturday, January 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Good Shepherd Center, Room 202, $50 members, $70 nonmembers. Preregistration for workshops is encouraged. To learn about preregistering for the workshop, see Preregistration Policy and Form. You can also register online at brownpapertickets.com.