Category: Jungian Psychotherapy
The Good Therapy Blog
March 22nd, 2012 |
Magic is a way of living. If one has done one’s best to steer the chariot, and one then notices that a greater other is actually steering it, then magical operation takes place. --C. G. Jung (The Red Book, p. 315)
I always knew that I was two persons. One was the son of my parents…the other was…old…mistrustful, remote from the world of men, but close to nature, the earth, the sun, the moon…all living creatures…and above all close to the night, to dreams, and to whatever “God” worked directly in him. --C. G. Jung (Memories, Dream, and Reflections, pp. 44-45)
What Jung called... Read More
August 26th, 2011 |
Marion Woodman is one of the most well-known Jungian analysts. She has published many books, lectured widely, and is one of our elders in the Jungian community. Marion writes and teaches by exploring dreams, literature and mythology, imagery in the body, many artistic forms, and case material. Marion’s imaginings and wisdom are part of the foundation that informs my work as I play and create with others. My bookshelves are filled with her writings and often I find myself picking up a volume of her work to imagine and journey through a spiral.
Some of her books include (non-inclusive list):... Read More
July 22nd, 2011 |
Everything that irritates [or intrigues] us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.
-C.G. Jung
As we mature finding ways to relate to and communicate with the hidden, non-integrated personality traits that are “in the shadow” is imperative if we want to enjoy a life rich with meaning and purpose.
Trying on different “hats” and “voices” can be fun and very telling! One way to form a relationship with your shadow is to read poetry aloud and play with the words. Try moving your mouth ever so slightly and then reading the poem aloud in some usual way. Some... Read More
June 21st, 2011 |
Next weekend our local Jung society will be meeting to explore what it means to be Jungian. Dr. Jung himself commented that he never intended anyone to be Jungian. At the core of analytical psychology is a call to each of us to align the ego and the Self, to individuate and reclaim our whole being. This re-claiming requires both the ego and the unconscious so we need to pay attention to the demands of both as we go through the process of living and re-connection.
Only after... Read More
June 12th, 2011 |
I recently ordered Deepak and Gotham Chopra’s book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes on my iPad. I haven’t been this excited to read something since I read Carl Jung’s book The Archetypes many years ago. Luckily my iPad can hold both books and more at about 2 lbs. Both books address the archetype of “shadow”. Both Chopra and Jung describe shadow as a force of the unconscious that can be destructive, divisive and self-sabotaging when it remains unconscious. Shadow... Read More
May 24th, 2011 |
We are the only species on Earth capable of preventing our own flowering
-David Whyte
The Creative Urge lives and grows
like a tree in the earth from which it draws its nourishment
-CG Jung
Analytical psychology at its core emphasizes the process of individuation, a life-long process of transformation. Each of us is unique and called to grow in maturity through a process of psychic integration. How can we explore and expand our creativity in the process of individuating? What are some ways we can we develop our creative, playful selves? Read More
May 5th, 2011 |
When it comes to my experience, perception is always more powerful than reality. Everything that I am is influenced by that which I perceive to be true, whether it is actually true or merely imagined. As a therapist, I have a responsibility to notice and, at times, even confront perception. I would do well to proceed respectfully, empathically, and without unnecessary provocation. At times, those real or imagined perceptions that infuse every marriage and family that I sit with act as that great big pink elephant in the room—standing between spouses and parents and children—that, unacknowledged,... Read More
April 20th, 2011 |
“The Egyptians highly valued their animals, turning them into gods and goddesses”
-Neil Russack, Animal Guides: in Life, Myth and Dreams
Imagine a perch extending out of the waters of the Abyss. On it rests a grey heron, the herald of all things to come. It opens its beak and breaks the silence of the primeval night with the call of life and destiny, which 'determines what is and what is not to be’ [paraphrase ARAS Collection, http://aras.org]
This post begins with Heron.
-Heron in wetlands
-Heron on the label of a Crane Lake bottle of red wine
-Heron in a Jungian-related... Read More
March 26th, 2011 |
... the content of the collective unconscious
is made up essentially of archetypes ...Carl Jung
Recently there have been a number of Jungian portals opening up that feature many valuable resources for any one interested in Jungian or depth psychology and its many facets. Many of you may not be aware of this gold mine or if you are you may like an update on a few features and ways to access some of what is offered online.
It is wonderful to travel to one of the many analytical institutes or training centers around the world. However, for many of us, being able to access online resources... Read More
February 18th, 2011 |
Without playing with fantasy, no creative work has ever yet come to birth. The debt we owe to the play of imagination if incalculable.
-C.G. Jung
Jung wrote about the need for finding and living our myth, our story, as he grew older, he wrote his most important works and found his own unique ways to play. We need new stories that weave playfulness, gratitude, and compassion for self and others. Re-writing your myth or story can help you understand more fully your core values. Your story reflects your uniqueness and the many gifts you have to offer others. If you fully expressed your values,... Read More
February 16th, 2011 |
This is the fourth in a series of articles on the Scapegoat and how Voice Dialogue can help heal this ancient phenomenon that continues to occur within all human communities and within certain sensitive and susceptible individuals. The first two articles explored the Shadow, the phenomenon called projection, and the history of the Scapegoat in human communities. The third article begins the sorting and healing process through Voice Dialogue sessions with a composite client named Helen. See the first three articles here.
In... Read More
January 19th, 2011 |
Anima(ls) meaning breath….soul
By encouraging the soul’s interest in animals, we can embrace what animals have: resilience, pleasure, and a link to the elemental forms that sustain and renew us all.
-Neil Russack, MD
Most of us have encountered animals as pets, wild creatures, or dream animals. Connecting with animals often helps us break through barriers we create as humans and opens the door to new ways of living.
As you read this post, I hope your imagination is stirred with the hope of re-connecting you to your animal life. Animals (other than the human variety) bring... Read More
December 20th, 2010 |
Indigenous peoples for thousands of years have considered dreams to be guides to their lives helping them in decision-making especially in regards to significant life events. Jung believed that dreams promote growth and individuation and that dreams are sources of informative and creative power. He believed that each person is able to explore their dreams by keeping track of them, meditating on their meaning, and examining them in detail. A series of dreams can bring clarity as important images recur allowing for a deepening of understanding of what these dreams are conveying to the dreamer.Sharing... Read More
November 12th, 2010 |
Recently, I participated in an exciting Jungian-based conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Given the depth of the presentations at the conference, I would like to provide you with a description of two gifts we received while attending, Muriel McMahon and Robert Moss:
Muriel McMahon
Muriel McMahon is a Jungian analyst and Elder in the Algonkin, Kipawa First Nations tradition Trained as a Jungian analyst in Zurich, Switzerland she is currently in private practice in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Muriel led our small group in pre-conference preparations, Preparing the Sacred. Preparing... Read More
