Creative Tensions
from the President
Images of horror and transformation, page 4
New Year greetings to you all! My hope is
with the presence of the other mind and
that your 2008 will be all the richer for your
spiritual systems resident here. In Conscious
connection to the Jung Society of Sydney.
Femininity Kath McPhillips, through the work
Our Committee is constantly working on
of Marion Woodman, contemplates both
new ways to nourish our community through
the cultural and clinical repercussions of an
publications, website and meetings. I do
unlived spiritual life, and a disconnection
hope that you will be joining us this year to
from the archetypal feminine and masculine.
partake of what is on offer.
I do hope you can join us for these talks with
A Jungian approach demands that we
Psychology Podcasts Dr Dave of Shrink-Rap Radio, page 8
Jung & Sufism, page 22
2
Alchemy and Technology, page 28
their challenging and lively questions.
encompass a multitude of polarities. In
As well as looking ahead to 2008 in Jung
Memories, Dreams and Reflections Jung wrote
Downunder we revisit our 2007 Cinema and
of the necessity of experiencing ourselves as
Psyche event, A Deep Place Touched Only by
“concurrently limited and eternal, as both one
Monsters. So much came out of this evening
and the other”. In our upcoming programme
with Anne Noonan and Barbara Creed, that
of talks there will be ample opportunity to
Louise Fanning was inspired to write about
reflect on these creative tensions.
it, expanding on the wealth of themes and
Speaking directly to our human experience
images that this event evoked. Tim Hartridge
of the eternal, Dr. Ehsan Azari will explore
gives us a guided tour of online resources of
Jungian and Sufi approaches to the sacred
interest to Jungian folk, and Marc Marusic
dimensions of psyche and imagination, while
reviews Robert Romanyshan’s book Ways of
Peter Dicker approaches human encounters
The Heart, while Jon Marshall reflects on bliss.
with the eternal through his revisioning of
My thanks to all these writers for their great
the mythic Dionysus in his talk The Undivided
contributions.
One. Jon Marshall’s attention also focuses on
I would also like to thank the team who
myth making realms in Through Alchemy to
have worked with me on this edition of Jung
Technology, as he considers the psychological
Downunder: Tim Hartridge who is so inspired
realities of technologies and the hopes and
and generous with his considerable skills
fears that they arouse. Amanda Dowd’s talk
and talent as a graphic designer, and Jon
Backgrounds of Beauty explores memories of
Marshall and Lucy Davey who have been
safety and terror to reflect on the effects of
skilled editors.
colonisation in Australia, and how we grapple
Sally Gillespie, President.
C.G.Jung Society of Sydney
News Library Report
From the Committee
further imports for 2008. Marcel
The Society maintains a small library
It has been an exciting and creative
Abarca and Monica Roman have
of books, tapes and journals available
time for the Executive Committee
worked hard to streamline our
to all current members. All items may
as it has embarked upon new
financial systems and reports, while
be borrowed for two months at a
enterprises. The transformation of our
Lucy Davey has refined library
time. The holdings consist of books
old newsletter into the sophisticated
systems and databases, as well as
by CG Jung, books about his work
Jung Downunder magazine by Tim
kept tabs on our work through her
and ideas; there are journals such as
Hartridge has delighted our members
minute- taking of our meetings.
Spring and The Journal of Analytical
and given us the ability to market
As Honorarium Lenore Kulakauskas
Psychology; and a collection of audio
ourselves much more effectively to
manages and co-ordinates all the
tapes of many of the monthly talks
the general public. Watch out for
organisational elements of the
presented at the meetings.
Tim’s redesign of our website next
Society, frequently suggesting new
with its added links to podcasts of
ways to improve systems. When it
interest to our members.
comes to technology Peter Mann
During the past year there have been discussions about the best way to preserve the older audio tapes
Louise Fanning introduced the
advises and supports us in a myriad
since they have a limited life. Any
very well-received Cinema and
of ways, including overseeing the
assistance with transferring them
Psyche symposium which this year
monthly broadcast email. June
to CD would be gratefully accepted
featured Pan’s Labyrinth. She is now
Reynolds continues her long-term
and much appreciated. One of
hard at work developing her next
work of promoting the Society
our Committee members, Monica
Cinema and Psyche event for 2008.
through her excellent networking
Roman, is listening to older tapes to
Bo Robertson organised a superb
abilities. Lesley Hamlyn turns her
check the quality and consider the
Christmas Party for 2007 and will
hands to whatever tasks are at hand at
comparative value of the contents.
next turn her talents to marketing
our monthly meetings. It’s a privilege
This ensures that talks of most
and co-ordinating advertising in Jung
and honour to be the President of
interest are transferred first.
Downunder and on our website.
such a talented, passionate and
There have been a few acquisitions
Jon Marshall has added to the
generous Executive Committee. On
for the Library in 2007, and in 2008
regular secondhand stock of our
behalf of the Jung Society I thank
we may be in a position to purchase
bookstall by importing new stock
them all for the terrific work.
new items. All suggestions from
from Spring Publications and Spring
Sally Gillespie
members are welcome.
Journal, stimulating excellent sales
Lucy Davey
which are inspiring him to make
3
WE A V I N G V O I C E S
Images of Horror and Transf If it’s true as James Hillman tells us that the essence of psyche is myth and that psychology is ultimately mythology - the study of the stories of the soul - then the cinema certainly appears to have been created to open ourselves to aspects of soul.
4
In the darkened auditorium of the
– these monsters can be given form and
cinema, the threshold of consciousness
experienced in the cinema.
is lowered, opening the way to an
In August 2007, the C. G. Jung Society
experience away from the day to day
of Sydney hosted a discussion about
world. An affect charged psychological
images of horror and transformation in
realm is created where images are
the latest film by the Mexican filmmaker
encountered and can be emotionally
Guillermo Del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth.
engaged with, which, under everyday
The film has captivated critics and
circumstances, would be rejected.
cinemagoers alike for its creative
Especially, perhaps, the psychical
aesthetics as well as its multi-layered
factors that are given no place in the
and complex themes. This discussion
day to day world. In Jung’s words, the
was inspired by a quote from the
gods that have become diseases - the
filmmaker himself: “I really think the
phobias, the obsessions, the intense
most creative, most fragile part of the
emotions, the unbearable histories, the
child that lives within me is a child that
ghosts and evils, the terrible traumas
was literally transformed by monsters.
by Louise Fanning
formation in Pan’s Labyrinth Be they on the screen, or in myth or in
matures.” This model could be applied
my own imagination.”
to the making of the film, the narrative of
The panellists were Dr. Anne Noonan, a Sydney-based psychiatrist and Jungian
the film, and the experience of watching the film in the cinema.
Analyst, and Professor Barbara Creed
“With the making of films” Anne said,
who lectures in Cinema Studies at the
“you start off with a base material, the
University of Melbourne. I had the
basic idea, and it is worked through
pleasure of organising and chairing
with a number of actions: writing the
the event and the following are some of
script, getting the costumes together,
the interesting thoughts that emerged
deciding on the setting and time, the
on the night of the discussion and
whole transferential thing of the film
afterwards.
director being moved and continually
Anne Noonan started by saying that
reworking, reworking. Del Toro seems
originally she thought she would tr y
to have a whole theory around how to
to interpret this film in an alchemical
do it, including allusions to other films,
way, that is “that the narrative is a
myths and art. It is not so much his
prima materia, a dark leaden thing
religion - he calls himself an ex-Catholic
which, through a series of processes,
- but it’s his faith-base or something,
is eventually transformed into gold.
taking the myths and art, using many
Jung took this to be a metaphor of
bodies of theory, and weaving them all
individuation or the way the mind
together.”
5
A Deep Place Tou
Ofelia enters the Labyrinth.
6
Anne then explained that as she got
archetypal thing - pulling her back, and
more involved in the story she realised
Eros is underneath burning her genitals
it also had contained a ver y strong
with a torch. That’s a process: it’s only
presence of the Eros and Psyche
by going through that kind of alchemical
story. “In Pan’s Labyrinth Ofelia starts
suf fering, Ofelia’s tests in the film,
off as a human figure and she goes
that she moves into this Psyche/Eros
through various tests. The last scene
relationship.”
in the Psyche myth is where Psyche
Filmmaking in itself can be thought
is immortalised and she goes up with
of as a monstrously difficult experience.
Eros to Olympus/Heaven. In the
Del Toro talks of having a great deal of
Psyche myth she doesn’t really die:
difficulty in the making of this film; in
she becomes unconscious when she
fact he lost a lot of weight. “That’s a
opens up the box and that gives Eros
burning off,” said Anne. “Holding the
the chance to come and be with her.
complexity of the stories, the history,
‘Psyche’ is the Greek word for ‘butterfly’
various myths and possibilities in all
and Persephone’s potion causes Psyche
the details. The transformation of
to move out of her human guise, from
natural images to technical images and
her physical level, and metamorphose
finally brought back together again as a
to a higher level.”
symbolic image.”
In a discussion later Anne spoke of
In terms of an alchemical experience
James Hillman’s interesting comments
for the film viewer, Anne thought that
about Psyche and Eros: “He says
a good film could transform or change
Psyche is actually just mind or even
mind. She said, “That was Jung’s idea
habit, more or less day to day stuff. Eros
with the difference between true and
comes along and that’s the transformer,
false imagination. The old alchemists
he burns, he pierces, he makes people
used to say the true imagination is
suffer. There is an ancient coin found
when the images move and transform
not too long ago which has on one side
whereas the false imagination is more a
Eros and Psyche in an embrace. On
repetitive day dreaming sort of thing.”
the other side poor old Psych is being
Anne thought that while certain horror
absolutely tortured. Aphrodite’s pulling
films can just have a repetitive, kind
her backwards by the hair, that’s an
of addictive thrill, in Del Toro’s film
uched Only by Monsters the imagery suggests it’s moving you
myth or of modern film symbolises
along to another place. “You’ll hear a lot
a kind of dreamlike journey in which
of artists say ‘I went to see Gilbert and
the traveller must confront, and by the
Sullivan with my aunt when I was 9 and
traveller I mean not just the protagonist
from then on I knew’.”
of the film such as Ofelia but also the
“It’s also interesting to notice,”
viewer, via the protagonist, the main
Anne went on to say, “that Joseph
character we’re asked to identify with,
Campbell, Mircea Eliade and Jung
must confront the important issues in
and also del Toro, all had moments in
life, particularly those of birth, betrayal,
their childhoods, we know not why,
loss and separation, death and rebirth.”
which became extremely significant,
For Barbara the labyrinth is essentially
moments in time that sort of held the
a place where the body becomes lost
tension between the supernatural and
and the mind embarks on a journey of
the natural: Del Toro’s monsters and
its own in order to find resolution to a
ghosts in the cupboard; Jung’s phallus
problem.
dream that always stuck in his mind;
Barbara provided an extensive
Eliade thought he was in a green grape.
etymology of the word ‘labyrinth’ and
With Campbell he says in Cowboy and
history of the evolution of the labyrinth
Indian games he thought he looked
and, of particular interest to storytellers
like the Indian, at the image level he
a description of the four primary types
identified a lot with them.”
of labyrinth that she has identified: the
The key motif for Barbara Creed in
spiral, the maze, the matrix and the
her response to Pan’s Labyrinth relates
rhizome. “Whereas the maze,” she said,
to the symbolism of the labyrinth
“offers a comparatively straightforward
throughout. And Barbara along with
journey of entrances and exits, the spiral
Anne found a strong resonance in
offers a more complex journey, spinning
the way that the key motif they each
according to it’s own laws. The post-
identified is not just a description of
modern matrix and the rhizome offer
the story’s narrative structure but also
paths ... without entrances and without
a template of the way the viewer can
exits suggesting perhaps that in the late
get involved in the film psychologically.
20th and early 21st century the journey
Barbara said: “The labyrinth of ancient
into the unconscious to discover the self
Above left & below posters from the movie.
7
A Deep Place Tou
The pale man.
8
has become increasingly complex and
this myth it is the half-animal/human
increasingly difficult.” Pan’s Labyrinth,
hybrid that is so monstrous whereas
in Barbara’s opinion, interweaves two
interestingly, in Pan’s Labyrinth the
cinematic forms of the labyrinthine
faun is the human/animal hybrid, and
journey. “In the above ground stor y
although he’s a monster he’s a ver y
the labyrinthine workings are fairly
sympathetic monster. In fact all of the
straightfor ward and operate around
monstrous creatures, except the pale
the labyrinth as a maze where there
man, are sympathetic, it’s the human
are entrances and exits in the stories
monster that is tr uly horrific. So,
surrounding the sadistic captain and
ever y seven years the Minotaur fed
the freedom fighters in the countryside
on human flesh, seven young men and
attacking the forces of Franco. The story
seven maidens sent from Athens as a
of Ofelia is much more complicated and
tribute to the Minotaur. It was the hero
resembles much more the labyrinth as
Theseus with the help of Ariadne, the
a rhizome or a place where there are no
king’s daughter, who was able to finally
clear entrances or exits at all. But the
slay the Monster with the help of her
two forms of the labyrinthine narrative
famous thread.”
and structure in the film intersect
Barbara said she feels Del Toro’s story
throughout so it becomes an incredibly
draws on a number of motifs from the
complex film in terms of the way the
ancient legend. “In a sense the mother
above ground political story relates to
has mated with the monster, the captain,
the underground fantasy story.”
but this time it is Ofelia the daughter
Barbara took us through the story of
whose task it is to leave the captain, or
the labyrinth and a description of the
father if you like, and journey into the
monster at its centre. “The classical
depths of the labyrinth using his own
labyrinth was built on the order of the
son, her brother as a lure, in the hope
Cretan king Minos, the moon king,
of bringing new life to the bloody land.”
because the king’s wife had mated
Barbara pointed out that the pattern
with a white bull and given birth to the
becomes much more complex than in
human/animal hybrid, the Minotaur
the classical story. “The Monster feasts
that possessed the body of a man but
on the blood of innocents in this film
the head of a bull. And of course, in
but it is fully human. The central change
uched Only by Monsters to the myth apar t from the familial
at the end of the film when the captain
relationships is that the dominant
staggers out of the labyrinth holding his
character is female. The hero Theseus
son and walks straight into the arms of
has been replaced by a heroine, Ofelia
the rebels. He says he wants them to
and the monster is in a sense the false
tell his son the hour of his death, just
king, the patriot and the fascist.”
as he knew his own father’s. “This,”
In the scene where Ofelia encounters
said Barbara, “is symbolically a ver y
the pale man, Barbara obser ves that
impor tant hour, the hour when the
the labyrinth is not presented as a
son becomes the new patriarch.” This,
comforting place, but “as a place of
of course, does not happen. “What
terror ruled over by the blind man
Ofelia has done is, she gives the next
who symbolically cannot see anything
generation of children a chance never
literally, morally or psychologically.
to know the fascist, sadistic form of
He’s the only underground monster
patriarchy as monster. As with many
in the film who is not sympathetic.”
horror films the only real monsters are
Barbara sees him as being linked to
human ones.”
the captain. “Vidal and the pale man are
As I peruse the comments from our
both monsters that dwell deep within
panellists I am amazed by the complex
their own labyrinths and are natural
and enigmatic images that have sprung
enemies of the worlds of children and
forth, further enriching not only our
fantasy. They are particularly linked
understanding of Guillermo del Toro’s
where they are holding their hands up.
fascinating film but the ever yday
In Vidal’s hand, his stigmata, his cross
experience of our lives.
Posters from the movie.
to bear, is his watch, which is cracked from when his father was shot. That’s his pain to bear. When the pale man lifts his hands up what we see here are eyes which is his way of seeing through the maze but he cannot see clearly.” “So, what is it that Ofelia achieves by the end of the journey?” Barbara thought that it’s all contained in the line
Guillermo del Toro
9
iPod Psychology
Self help has long been the domain of book and magazine
Dr David Van Nyse of Shrink Rap Radio
10
Top: Maureen Murdock Below: Douglas A.Davis
Unless you have been living under
of podcasts to your computer? I had
a rock you have no doubt heard of the
no idea either until about 18 months
world’s most popular portable media
ago I navigated my way to podcast
player, the Apple iPod. This nifty
central, iTunes, typed into the search
device is used with your computer,
window “psychology” and up popped a
although new iPods are now capable
small selection of psychology-based
of connecting you wirelessly to the
programs. Thinking back, I was oddly
Internet. Once connected to the Net you
rather encouraged by this meagre result
can download the mostly free audio and
and began exploring straight away the
video broadcasts called podcasts to your
podcast Shrink Rap Radio.
iPod and play at leisure. Of course most
Shrink Rap Radio is a weekly
commercial music and movies are still
podcast hosted by the ver y likable
only available by purchase, but a lot of
and knowledgeable Dr Dave (alias, Dr
great material is free.
David Van Nuys). Dr Dave interviews
So why would you want one of these
the most interesting collection of expert
devices or to download endless hours
guests in the field of psychology, many
WEAVING VOICES
It’s All in Your Ear
by tim hartridge
e publishers, but today it’s all just a click away via your computer or iPod having published on a wide variety of
Computer-Assisted Dream Interpretation; podcast
subjects. Recent subjects and people
and Shamanic Psychology.
According to the web-based, e n c y c l o p e d i a Wi k i p e d i a :
include: The Authoritarian Personality
There are so many dif ferent and
with Robert Altemyer; Psychopathology
fascinating inter views conducted by
in The Workplace with Laurence Miller;
Dr.Dave, but a couple which stood- distributed over the Internet
Adventure-Based Psychotherapy with
out were The Heroine’s Journey with
Jason Holder; Using Hypnosis and
the articulate Maureen Murdock who for playback on portable
EMDR to Repair Broken Maternal/
studied with Joseph Campbell, and
Infant Bonds with Tony Madrid; and
the discussion on the relationship
The Psychological Impact of Materialism
between Freud and Jung based on
with Tim Kasser.
the investigative work of Douglas A.
Some of the more unusual inter-
“A podcast is a collection of digital media files which is using syndication feeds media players and personal computers.”
Davis.
views have included: Ar tificial Life
The Jung Podcast, with Jungian
and Artificial Intelligence; Two Blokes
analyst John Betts, is one of the most
in an Aussie Pub Discuss Psychology;
comprehensive programs on Jung’s
Psychological Survival in Baghdad;
Analytical Psychology. It provides
John Betts of the Jung Podcast.
11
iPod Psychology : PODCAST an introduction to the fundamentals
they are able take as long as they need
of Analytical Psychology through
to discuss the topic. Podcasts can run as
which the listener is able to develop
short announcements, as information
a thorough understanding of Jungian
pieces, or as mini inter views of 10
psychological principles.
minutes or less, to more in-depth
The Jung Podcast also applies a handsNatasha Mitchell of the ABC's All in the Mind
on approach to working with dreams.
interviews and discussions lasting over an hour.
The early episodes provide the listener
T h e Te x a s Te c h U n i v e r s i t y ’ s
with a detailed understanding of the
Department of Psychology provides
terms and application of Jungian
brief episodes of less than 10 minutes
dreamwork and then invites the
for their Psychology Podcast show
listener to do the inner work. There’s a
created by student doctors and Dr
brilliant workshop in later episodes on
Frank Durso. This surprisingly brief
the application of Fairy Tales to inner
show covers some very useful material
work using the tale of the “Nixie of the
for anyone lost in life’s struggles.
Mill-Pond”.
An Introduction to Psychology Lectures with Dana C. Leighton is at
Navigating Therapy
the other end of the spectrum with in-
Program lengths vary hugely, even with
depth podcasts running over an hour.
some well structured podcasts. Far from
These are a lecture series from classes
being a disadvantage, the wonderful
run at the Portland Community College
thing about podcast programs is that
in Oregon USA. Leighton created the
ANZAP SATURDAY MORNING SEMINARS at the Australian Museum, College Street Sydney CUT! FEBRUARY 9TH
This will be another ‘live’ presentation of a session between a real therapist and an actor/patient. Russell Meares will lead a panel in commenting on what is occurring in the therapy while it is happening.
A LENS ON EMPATHY APRIL 5TH Well-known psychotherapist, Alan Kindler, will be here from America to present a fascinating and educational seminar on empathy using video.
PSYCHOTHERAPY GOES TO THE MOVIES JUNE 14TH Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and movie-buff, Professor Carolyn Quadrio, will take us on a journey about the presentation of therapy and therapists in film.
12
ANZAP: (02) 8399 3787 · info@anzapweb.com · www.anzapweb.com
T podcast as way of making his classroom
it automatically checks for new episodes
iPod + iTunes
lectures available to his students and
on programs I have subscribed to for
iPod is a brand of portable
has even made available some visual
free, like the Jung Podcast presented by
media player designed by Apple
notes, so that you feel like you are
John Betts. Today when I searched on iTunes
actually in the class.
Computers. They are external data storage devices for playing audio and video.
I am happy to inform you that Aunty
for Psychology there were more than iTunes software is used to
ABC produces some of the best
150 podcasts listed. These programs transfer music to the iPod or
programs to be found anywhere on the
become a virtual audio-library on every
internet. Their psychology podcast All
conceivable subject. You don’t have to
in the Mind is recommended by the
have an iPod to listen to them, as you
astute Dr Dave. The program presenter
can listen straight off the website, its
ABC now
is Natasha Mitchell, part of the ABC’s
just more convenient that way. To
ABC NOW is a yet another
Radio National team, who has a science
get you started I have put links to all
background and list of media awards
the podcasts mentioned here on our
longer than this article.
website – www.jungdownunder.com
other MP3 device from stored audio and video libraries on the user’s computer.
innovation. It’s a small piece of software that will help you navigate the collective stream of the ABC’s titanic media
All in the Mind freely combines
Online there’s a wonderfully rich
collection, particularly their
“unexpected voices, themes and ideas” and
source to be found through podcasts,
more recent shows. Currently
“engages with both leading thinkers and
offering us unparalleled flexibility to
personal stories” and so the program’s
listen and re-listen whenever we want.
scope is considerably broader than pure
Dr Dave’s catch-phrase “Its All in Your
they do however transcribe
psychology. It is well worth the listen.
Mind” might be better said as “It’s All
programs and you can read
in Your Ear”.
them online.
A wonderful thing about iTunes is that
the ABC does not have all programs in an audio or video format for downloading, but
31a Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Tel. (02) 9566 2157 Fax. (02) 9518 4696 Hours: Mon–Wed 10am–6pm Thu–Fri 10am–7pm Sat 10am–6pm Sun 10am–5pm Email. service@phoenixrisingbooks.com Web www.phoenixrisingbooks.com Winner – City of Sydney 2004 & 2005 Outstanding Business Award
Specialists in Self-Transformation and Healing Mail Order Australia Wide – Contact us for the lastest catalogue Jung Society Members are offered a 10% Discount on all purchases 13
On ‘Following
It is well known that towards the end of his life Joseph Campbell s
Find where it is, and don’t be afraid to follow it” and “if you do follow
all the while, waiting for you... doors will open where you didn’t kno
14
Initially this sounds attractive,
imperative. In this stor y the ser vant
but although Campbell did not intend
who fails to increase or use his talents,
it this way, it can become a destructive
but merely keeps them safe, displeases
demand, and we might wonder what
the master and is thrown outside into
happens with a life where it is not clear
the darkness where there is “weeping
what your bliss is, or that you can find
and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:
it, or that once found you could pursue
14-30 and a similar tale at Luke 19:12-
it? Perhaps other things are also
27). Those who do not use their talents
demanded; perhaps there are other
correctly are clearly damned. The
imperatives which are just as real, or
message of using talents can thus
obstacles which cannot be crossed? Is,
become a dictum to oppress and flog
for example, a life irredeemably lost if
ourselves with. The story also seems
you care for a child or a spouse who is
to make a perfectly confused emblem
incapacitated and do not follow bliss
for life in modern society; if we don’t
alone? Might you develop just as much
make money or increase our selves, by
from pain or restriction?
ourselves, then we have failed.
The implied message that if you do
Campbell also seems to be saying that
not follow your one path, your one
if you follow your bliss then problems
enjoyment, your one bliss, then your
will be cleared away. Jung suggests that
life will be wasted, is reinforced by
we should beware of philosophies that
the Christian parable of the monetary
imply that we can make our life simple,
talents, from whence we get the idea
certain and smooth. Problems, in his
of personal ‘talents’. It is not surprising
view, rather than success, force us to
that religion and myth lurk beneath an
greater consciousness and to separation
WEAVING VOICES
your Bliss’ by Jonathan Marshall
said: “My general formula for my students is ‘Follow your bliss’.
w your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there
ow they were going to be” (The Power of Myth, pp. 120, 149). from childhood. “Ever y problem...
but not necessarily that something
brings the possibility of a widening of
itself. In which case, the ambition can
consciousness”. “The serious problems
be explored like a dream, or an active
of life are never fully solved. If ever they
imagination. What does, say, “being a
should appear to be so it is a sure sign
professional writer” symbolise to you?
that something has been lost” (Jung
What does it feel like in your body?
“The Stages of Life”, CW 8). Neither is
We can make associations, we can see
it that clear that there is really only one
where the unconscious wants to go,
potential path through our lives; the Self
and perhaps face our misconceptions.
is capable of many expressions, and if
We can do the same with our reactions
one is taken then others may have to be
to our supposedly prosaic realities. In
surrendered. There is at the end of our
both cases the depth is already present
lives, only the one path we have taken. If
in our being, rather than in something
we have a fantasy of bliss which we did
we might have done or might achieve.
not fulfil, does that mean our life was
Perhaps following either track will help
misspent? Or can we use our problems
us act in a new way, perhaps different
to get somewhere?
from what we thought we wanted.
There may be two solutions to this
Perhaps it can help us be. In either case,
issue. Firstly, the mystical; our bliss is
through work and facing problems, we
within us already, and can be brought to
can move beyond a fantasy and social
whatever we do and, as a result, we do
based imperative towards something
not have to follow some path in order to
valid for the soul.
Joseph Campbell
Carl Gustav Jung
be satisfied or become whole. Secondly, our ambition is a symbol of something,
15
B O O K R E V I EW
Ways of the Hear
16
Rober t D. Romanyshyn is a
reality. The experience of television
senior faculty member at Pacifica
(the television body) is an image
Graduate Institute in the USA, and
consciousness (rather than verbocentric
founder of its doctoral programme in
and literate consciousness, both still
Depth Psychology. In this collection
dominant aspects of Western culture).
of essays, he draws upon philosophy,
For the television body, knowing is
histor y, literature, art and poetr y to
emotional, participatory and sensuous,
reanimate psychology and allow it to
rather than rational, detached and
reflect on how soul can live and thrive
logical. Waking and dreaming can blur
in the contemporar y world. Just as
each other. Although this position may
dream is the royal road to the soul,
not be without its problems, the author
Romanyshyn proposes reverie as the
affirms that television consciousness
royal road to the soul of the world.
helps us to reconnect with the imaginal
Reverie is a mode of consciousness
world, and that our situation is not
completely dif ferent from fantasy.
helped by confining television to the
Whereas fantasy has ego in its centre,
task of amusement. Similarly, virtual
reverie allows us communion with the
reality, although reinforcing the
depth of our existence, the existence of
Cartesian separation of body/dream and
the world, and the otherworldly (such
mind/reason, is helping to reintroduce
as gods, spirits, angels, the dead) – all
the body of the dream, as the user
at once. Yet this is not a book about
par ticipates in an imaginal, vir tual
psychotherapy: rather it describes a
world. However, Romanyshyn does raise
therapeutic way of living. It explores the
questions about the consequences – to
imaginal world and invites the reader to
be a presence without substance is to
do so too.
be without humanity, and if participation
Odd as it may seem, technology can
in electronic communities occurs at
help us rediscover soul in the modern
the expense of interaction in organic
world. Romanyshyn demonstrates
communities (ie in communal space)
this in essays on television and virtual
we risk losing our sense of home.
rt
by Robert D. Romanyshyn Reviewed by Marc Marusic
Essays Toward An Imaginal Psychology Ways of the Hear t is steeped in
poet, phenomenologist and depth
phenomenology. The author sees Jung
psychologist. For all three, what
as at times a radical phenomenologist.
appears, matters first before one
One instance of this lies in Jung’s
asks what it might mean. The author
work with alchemy – a way of knowing
encourages a state of being coined by
through intimacy and relation rather
Keats – “negative capability”, in which
than through separation and distance.
one is “capable of being in uncertainties,
A radical phenomenology “is devoted to
mysteries, doubts, without any irritable
those subtle bodies which are neither facts
reaching after fact and reason.” In other
nor ideas... a work of the heart which is
words, having the patience to linger in
neither that of mind nor eye, a poetics of
the moment and wait for the presence in
the soul’s landscape where a mind feels
the present to appear.
its way into those imaginal presences who
“The capacity to dream with the world”
always haunt the margins of the sensible
forms the heart of what the author is
world”.
tr ying to reawaken in this book. He
As a practising poet myself, I found
outlines some of the developments in
the author’s reflections on poetr y
Western culture that have militated
ver y enriching. Poetr y corresponds
against this capacity, such as the
with reverie, in that one is a witness
fifteenth centur y invention of linear
to what has been lost, forgotten, left
perspective in art. This has influenced
behind, or otherwise marginalised and
us to become distant spectators of
neglected. One of my poems, pertinent
the world. The appeal of this work is
in this respect, concerns my present
enriched by extracts from poets such as
fascination with the display homes that
Rilke, Blake, Keats and Tagore – each
I visited when I was very young, and the
helping “to redress the imbalance which
visions I then had in them of a possible
exists in favour of the empirical over the
future life. Indeed, the imaginal world
aesthetic.”
is poetr y itself. Romanyshyn draws many cor respondences involving
17
Talks
C.G.Jung Society of Sydney The C.G. Jung Society of Sydney was formed in 1975 to promote discussion of the ideas of the Swiss analyst and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. Each month the Society arranges Guest Speakers to present a diverse range of Jungian topics in the form of talks, workshops and special events, which can be found in the following pages. The Society is open to all members of the general public and offers a rich and varied monthly programme of speakers both Australian and international.
Annual General Meeting 7pm Saturday, March 8 2008, before the talk by Dr Ehsan Azari “Jung & Sufism”
The Jung Society’s Annual General Meeting is held each March before our scheduled talk begins. The proceedings are always very brief and your attendance as a member of the Society is very much appreciated in order to achieve our necessary quorum. The main item on the agenda is to elect office bearers. We are always delighted to welcome any member who wishes to contribute to our Society by joining our Committee. Should you be interested please contact Sally Gillespie on (02) 9552 3252 or email to: cgjung@jungdownunder.com 18
2008 Programme
February through June
Saturday, February 9
Conscious Femininity
Exploring the work of Marion Woodman Kathleen McPhillips Page 20–21 Saturday, March 8 Brief Annual General Meeting Before Talk
Jung & Sufism
The Influence of Eastern Philosophy Dr Ehsan Azari
Page 22–23
Saturday, April 12
The Undivided One
Dionysian Consciousness in the Clinic Peter Dicker Page 24–25 Saturday, May 10
Background of Beauty
Memories of Safety and/or Terror Amanda Dowd
Page 26–27
Saturday, June 14
Through Alchemy to Technology Western Dreaming & Myth Making Jonathan Marshall
Page 28–29 19
SATURDAY, 9 February 6.30pm for 7.00pm TALK Blavatsky Lodge, Level 2, 484 Kent Street, Sydney
Conscious Femi Exploring the work of Marion Guest Speaker Kathleen McPhillips
Marion Woodman
20
The contributions of Canadian
clinical and writing work, Woodman has
Jungian analyst and writer Marion
established a Foundation which runs an
Woodman towards an understanding of
international training program BodySoul
the repressed feminine in contemporary
Rhythms, where in a supportive space
Western cultures is explored in this talk.
women participate in processes which
In particular, Woodman cites addiction
encourage the emergence of their
and its behaviours as the outcome of an
authentic voice. Processes include
unlived spiritual life, and disconnection
dream work, dance, voice and art work.
from the archetypal feminine and
I will introduce Woodman’s central
masculine. This disconnection can
concepts, give a brief account of her life
result in a ‘split’ feminine which is
and how she came to do this work, and
clinically and culturally obser vable.
explain the split feminine via examples
Conscious femininity is the process
in popular Australian culture, including
of bringing this split to consciousness
the TV series Kath and Kim, and a
and returning to the body. As well her
number of films.
EVENTS PROGRAMME
ininity Woodman
Kathleen McPhillips is a senior lecturer in Humanities at the University of Western Sydney. She has been reading the work of Marion Woodman for 25 years, and recently attended a Body/Soul Rhythms workshop in Italy. Kathleen’s field of research is in gender, culture and religion. She has published extensively in this area. Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15
Kathleen McPhillips
21
Jung Guest Speaker Dr. Ehsan Azari
J ung’s theoretical development was influenced by his intensive reading of Eastern philosophy, in particular that of Sufism. Dr Ehsan Azari reflects on the foundation of Jung’s universal Unconscious in the mirror of the quest of Sufism. Dr Ehsan Azari
In Sufism, human beings are likened
manifest the beauty and existence of
to thousands of different plants having
matter, the universe, and the divine.
their roots imbedded in one and the
Thus a Sufi understands the mysteries
same soil. Sufism sees in the psychic
between the spirit and its embodiments
inheritance of ever y speaking and
in the ever yday life. Jung offers us a
thinking being, a primeval desire to
prodigious insight into this complex
identify her/himself with that One. This
interaction by his notion of codification
desire is both a personal and a supra-
in the universal set of archetypes. The
personal psychic force that allows for
great Sufi poet, Rumi, saw divinity in its
the experience of divinity to occur within
earthly manifestations:
oneself. This desire, in other words, is an
In the early morning hour, just before
instrument of cognition and behaviour
dawn, lover and beloved wake and take
within the life of a Sufi. Similarly,
a drink of water. She asks, “Do you love
a spiritual motivation is of primal
me or yourself more?
importance in the Jungian unconscious,
Really, tell the absolute truth.”
and every human motivation is directed
He says, “There’s nothing left of me. I’m
by this spirituality — as a force.
like a ruby held up to the sunrise. Is it
Sufis believe that within every human hear t a primordial image or what 22
Jung calls an archetype is present to
still a stone, or a world made of redness? It has no resistance to sunlight”. For Sufis, as for Jung, the experience
EVENTS PROGRAMME SAT. 8 March 7.00pm Start Brief AGM 10 minutes TALK FOLLOWS Blavatsky Lodge Level 2, 484 Kent St, Sydney Sufis of Cairo
of God was a possibility. Jung defines
Such a universal psychic predisposition
the core of his depth psychology as
makes the foundation of Jung’s universal
a “self confession”, which can only be
Unconscious mirror the Sufi quest for
materialised after experience. Jung
oneness. Jung’s analytical psychology,
postulates this in his own way: “I could
especially his analytical method of
not say I believe, I know! I have had the
synchronicity, explores an alignment of
experience of being gripped by something
universal forces in the life experiences
that is stronger than myself, something
of an individual human being.
that people call God”.
In an interdisciplinar y approach, I
The Sufi doctrine of love necessitates
will examine Jung’s reading of Eastern
a reciprocal attraction between man and
philosophy and religion, especially
God, the first call to love comes from
Sufism. I will analyse Sufism and its
God and a Sufi’s heart is the mirror of
relevance to Jungian psychology and
the light of God. For Rumi the heart was
provide examples of Sufi psychology
an interpreter between God and Sufi.
from various Sufi texts.
Another Sufi philosopher said that the light of the Sun of God illuminates the
Dr Ehsan Azari is an Afghan writer
heart. Jung also says the same thing, “I
based in Sydney. His PhD thesis is
had to wrench myself free of God, so to
Lacan and the Destiny of Literature:
speak, in order to find the unity in myself
Shakespeare, Donne, Joyce, and Ashbery,
which God seeks through man. It is rather
from Macquarie University, soon to be
like the vision of Symeon, the Theologian,
published by an international academic
Members $5
who sought God in vain everywhere in the
publisher. His writings appear in both
Non-Members $20
world, until God rose like a little sun in
the Australian and international press.
his own heart”.
Concession $15 23
SATURDAY, 12 APRIL 6.30pm for 7.00pm TALK Blavatsky Lodge Level 2, 484 Kent St, Sydney
The
Undiv
Dionysian Consciousness in Guest Speaker Peter Dicker
I n this presentation Peter will contend that the subversive madness of Dionysian consciousness can, now more than ever, nourish our sanity in a modern world. Along the way it will be necessary to loosen our grip, permit the ambiguous in all things and encounter the radical bisexual nature at the heart of the God.
24
There are many obstacles to a true
bias” of conflating Dionysus with the
and sympathetic understanding of
figure of Wotan, primarily a god of
the figure of Dionysus. Culturally, our
hunting and battle.
representations have tended towards
All these portrayals have in common a
the caricature: from the truly mad and
perception of the Dionysian experience
dangerous to the perpetually drunk
as in some way “inferior” and therefore
old man, over weight and riding an
either dangerous or ridiculous. However,
unsteady unicorn, as in the buffoon of
this defensive reaction is more a
Disney films like Fantasia. Even Jung
commentary on the dominant structures
sometimes slips in to the “Germanic
that rule both our cultural/political
EVENTS PROGRAMME
vided One
n the Clinic
and psychic worlds (ie. the ego). It is
patriarchal figures and by all forms of
therefore with good reason that many
worldly establishment.
of the tales and myths show Dionysus as being rejected and persecuted by male
Peter Dicker is a former President
been exploring his interest in Jungian
of the Illawarra Jung Society. He works
and Archetypal Psychology through
as a psychologist in a public health
various creative projects – lectures,
clinic, south of Wollongong. He has
essays, poetry and musical compositions
been a frequent presenter at the Sydney
– and he continues to maintain an
Jung Society where he has also been a
ongoing passion for ideas, particularly in
member for 25 years.
relation to clinical and cultural matters.
Peter Dicker
Over the past two decades Peter has
Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15
25
memories of safety
Backgrou of
Reflections from an Australian consulting r
interrelations between experiences of space, Guest Speaker Amanda Dowd
Alexis Wright
26
Indigenous writer and activist
last year I laid out something of the
Alexis Wright, in her recent paper On
psychological terrain of trauma that
Writing Carpentaria, said this:
collapses imaginative space and hence
“The great force of history comes from
contributes to this experience of ‘loss
the fact that we carry it within us, are
of history’ and loss of psychohistorical
unconsciously controlled by it in many
memory and hence mind.
ways, and history is literally present
In this talk the themes of displacement,
in all that we do. It could scarcely be
unsettledness, alienation, belonging,
otherwise, since it is to history that
emplacement, the uncanny, identity,
we owe our frames of reference, our
fear of the unknown and the unknown
identities, and our aspirations.”
Other, are deepened into an exploration
Wright also speaks of Australia as
of the Backgrounds of Beauty – both
“the land of disappearing memory” just
awesome and terrible - that underpin
as W.E.H.Stanner before her spoke of a
our individual and hence collective
“cult of forgetfulness”. In a paper delivered
capacities to love and to dwell both in
to the Jung Society in Februar y of
body and in place. I would argue that
EVENTS PROGRAMME
and/or terror
unds Beauty
SATURDAY, 10 MAY 6.30pm for 7.00pm TALK Blavatsky Lodge Level 2, 484 Kent St,
room on the
Sydney
, place, identity and God such subtle geography informs our
Deborah Bird-Rose, Donald Meltzer,
relationships with this place in which
Winnicott, Bion and Jung we will follow
we live.
a line of thinking that asks “Where do
Drawing on the stories and
thoughts come from? Can we think of
experiences of individual patients and
country as mind?� And how does this
the writings of Wright (especially her
help us to come to terms with the
novel Carpentaria), the American
presence of the Other mind and spiritual
philosopher of place Edward Casey,
system resident here and the realities of
David Abrams, Craig San Roque,
what colonisation has done. Carpenteria
Amanda Dowd is a Jungian Analyst and psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice in Sydney. She trained with the Australian New Zealand Society of Jungian Analysts and has been practising for 15 years. She has a special interest in the mythopoetics of relationship, and the formation of self, mind, identity and cultural identity. Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15
27
SATURDAY, 14 JUNE 6.30pm for 7.00pm TALK Blavatsky Lodge Level 2, 484 Kent St, Sydney
Alchemy Through
Western dreaming & myth making Guest Speaker Jonathan Marshall In the west, technology is never
alienating us from the ‘natural world’,
seen neutrally, but becomes a matter
and something that we can hope will
for collective dreaming and myth
solve all our problems.
making. This can be seen in the potent
In this talk I extend the ways that Jung
images which gather around electricity,
analysed alchemy, as both a projection
nuclear power and computers; images
of, and working through, the dynamics
which give the technologies a deep
of psychic forces, to technology in
psychological life which cannot be
general. I fur ther suggest that our
simply separated from their supposed
projections then lead us to talk about
‘reality’.
ourselves in terms of technology, and
Through this process, technology becomes a living force we both fear for 28
manifest our collective waking dreams and nightmares through technology.
EVENTS PROGRAMME
myTECHNOLOGY TO
Jonathan Marshall PhD is an
online, and written about the history
anthropologist and a QEII Research
of alchemy in the United Kingdom. He
Fellow at the University of Technology
is the author of Living on Cybermind:
Sydney, studying the ways that
Categories, Communication and Control,
Information Technology increases
and Jung, Alchemy and History, and has
disorder and disruption. He has also
published numerous articles.
investigated the ways that people live
Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15
29
Noticeboard DISCLAIMER The C.G.Jung Society of Sydney does not take responsibility for services offered by individual advertisers on the N o t i c e b o a r d . We r e c e i v e advertising in good faith. Caution and discrimination in responding is advised and is your responsibility. COPYRIGHT Š 2008 Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners.
Change of address: Jacinta Frawley Jacinta Frawley has moved her practice to: Suite 6, 334 President Ave, Gymea Reach on 0414 532 690 for Jungian Analysis, group & individual supervision.
JUNGIAN ANALYST: Psychotherapist Marcelle Lawrence, B.Ec. Ll.B (Hons.) ANZSJA, IAAP Trained at the C.G.Jung Institute of Zurich, her professional career in Australia includes 20 years working in the therapeutic community. Her interests encompass mythology, art, poetry and creativity, and the role that culture plays in shaping the bodymind of the individual. She works with sandplay, dreams and images in exploring unconscious processes. Her private practice is in Paddington. Phone (02) 9361 3283.
Sandplay Professional Development Sarah Gibson, Jungian Analyst, & Sally Gillespie, Jungian Psychotherapist, offer small
ADVERTISING Deadline for the next newsletter will be on 21 April 2008.
professional development groups and supervision for sandplay therapy practitioners
Newsletter: 1 page $280, Half page $160, Noticeboard $10/line
For further information phone Sarah (02) 9810 1898 or Sally (02) 9552 3252.
Broadcast email: $50 non member $30 member
from beginner to advanced levels, in the tradition of Dora Kalff and C.G. Jung. Groups commence February in Balmain.
Emotional Intelligence WRITING GROUP The healing power of stories – Talking about painful events from the past can be healing. Writing a book about how an emotional wound occurred cleanses the wound, supporting closure and healing. It also helps you to understand the
Website Column Ad: $80 non member $50 member
circumstances of past events and develop the emotional skills needed for coping and change. Books about suffering and the ways in which disastrous events result
Contact: Bo Robertson lofty.scott@australiaonline.net.au WEBSITE: www.jungdownunder.com
in survival or destruction are highly popular. Every person has at least one story in them. Have you written your story yet? For help join a monthly WRITING GROUP. Contact Bo Robertson M.Lib.Sc.,Dip.Cl.Hyp.,JP, Emotional Intelligence Trainer & Coach on 0404 565 388
Thank You The Jung Society of Sydney wishes to express its gratitude to: Alison Clark, a long term member, who made a very generous donation of books to our book stall and library in 2007. Toxteth Hotel in Glebe who donates the use of its functions room for our Committee meetings. McMillan Print for their expertise and generosity. 30
C.G.Jung Society
of Sydney
TM
C.G.Jung Society of Sydney New members and visitors are alway welcome. If attending a lecture for the first time please feel free to make yourself known to the Committee members, they will be happy to explain how the Society works and to answer any questions. You are also welcome to register your email address with us for our monthly broadcast of upcoming events.
History & Aims The C.G.Jung Society of Sydney was formed in 1975 to promote the ideas of the Swiss analyst and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961). The Society is open to all members of the general public and offers a rich and varied programme of monthly talks and seminars from Australian and international guest speakers. In addition the Society provides a dedicated research and reference library.
Membership Annual Membership entitles you to: • Discounts at all our monthly Talks and Lectures • Access to borrow from our extensive Library, which includes books, journals, audio tapes, cds, dvds and videos • Generous discounted prices at our bookshop • Special member discounts for workshops and other activities • 10% discount on Jungian books from Pheonix Rising Booksellers, Glebe • You will also receive a mailed copy of our bi-annual newletter Jung Downunder and any monthly updates via email.
Applications Membership applications are available from our website – see under 'membership' for the local Sydney society. You can either pay online via PayPal or print out a PDF copy of the membership form and post to: the CG Jung Society, GPO Box 2796 Sydney NSW 2001
Full annual membership is $50.
OUROBOROS
Concession, country members or organisation membership is $25.
The symbol of C.G.Jung
Enquiries Membership enquiries directed to: Lenore Kulakauskas on tel.(02) 9365 7750 WEBSITE Membership application and event information – www.jungdownunder.com Executive Committee 2007 President: Sally Gillespie Treasurer: Monica Roman Assistant Treasurer: Marcel Abarca Minutes Secretary & Librarian: Lucy Davey Liaison Officer: June Reynolds Membership Officer: Bo Roberston
Member: Lesley Hamlyn Special Projects Officer: Louise Fanning Bookshop Officer: Jon Marshall Technical Officer: Peter Mann Honorarium: Lenore Kulakauskas Communications Officer & Graphic Design: Tim Hartridge
Society of Sydney is an ancient Gnostic glyph which the Alchemists later used to depict the nature of their transforming work. The script in the centre of the images means self-digester or self-digesting one. The self-digesting Ouroboros slays itself and brings itself back to life. It illustrates the principle of human creativity and the development of personality as it devours itself and generates itself.
31
Saturday, February 9
Saturday, May 10
Conscious Femininity
Background of Beauty
Exploring the work of Marion Woodman
Memories of Safety and/or Terror
Kathleen McPhillips Page 20–21
Amanda Dowd Page 26–27
Saturday, March 8
Saturday, June 14
Brief Annual General Meeting before talk
Through Alchemy to Technology
Jung & Sufism
Western Dreaming & Myth Making
The Influence of Eastern Philosophy
Jonathan Marshall Page 28–29
Dr Ehsan Azari Page 22–23
Saturday, April 12
The Undivided One Dionysian Consciousness in the Clinic Peter Dicker Page 24–25
www.jungdownunder.com