Bio

Brian Stafford, MD, MPH follows the golden threads of allurement — the wild, the mythic, the poetic, the soulful, the intellectual, and the heartfelt. A lover of the far countries of consciousness and a witness to both the beauty and the grief of the world, he has studied, taught, guided, and lived across continents.

Raised among the creeks and foothills of Golden, Colorado, with summers wandering the aspen and pine forests of the Rockies, Brian grew early roots in what is wild and beautiful. His academic path wove through biochemistry, mythology, and literature in Chicago, Boulder, and Oxford. To serve a broken world, he pursued medicine and public health in New Orleans, training in pediatrics and the full span of psychiatry — adult, adolescent, child, infant, perinatal, and transcultural.

Click here to read more.

AN EXPLORATION OF THE WORK OF THE ANIMAS VALLEY INSTITUTE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THERAPY, ANALYSIS, PSYCHEDELICS, AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION

“We’re being summoned by the world itself to make many urgent changes to the human project, but most central is a fundamental re-visioning and reshaping of ourselves, a shift in consciousness. We must reclaim and embody our original wholeness, our indigenous human nature granted to us by nature itself. And the key to reclaiming our original wholeness is not merely to suppress psychological symptoms, recover from addictions and trauma, manage stress, or refurbish dysfunctional relationships but rather to fully flesh out our multifaceted, wild psyches, committing ourselves to the largest story we’re capable of living, serving something bigger than ourselves. We must dare again to dream the impossible and to romance the world, to feel and honor our kinship with all species and habitats, to embrace the troubling wisdom of paradox, and to shape ourselves into visionaries with the artistry to revitalize our enchanted and endangered world.”    Bill Plotkin, Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche, p2.

Click here to read more.

“Confronting Mortality: Intimations, Premonitions, Dreams"

My presentation on the topics of aging, death, and grief includes material from my book Images of the Dead in Grief Dreams and my article, “The Ever-Moving Caravan: Reflections on Aging, Dying, and Death” in the anthology Confronting Death. My own experience of loss following the sudden death of my daughter many years ago and the recent death of my husband have prompted me to explore in depth the subjects of death and bereavement. Premonitory dreams, intimations of mortality, and images of the dead in dreams provide a glimpse into the mystery of the “here” and the “hereafter.”   

 Jung addressed the universal experience of loss and grief in his memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1961). His own dreams of the dead moved him deeply and led him to modify his views of the afterlife. Similarly, my dreams have guided me through the passage of grief and have invited me to create my own “myth” of life after death.

“[We] should say [we have done] our best to form a conception of life after death, or to create some image of it — even if [we] must confess [our] failure.,” writes Jung. “Not to have done so is a vital loss.” (MDR, p. 333)

My intention in this presentation is to open up the subjects of aging, death, grief and the afterlife for our honest and respectful consideration. Our fear of death often prevents us from bringing our images and concepts into the open, but sharing them can provide comfort and relief. Following my talk there will be time for participants to raise questions, offer comments, and share their own experiences.

Bio

Susan Olson, BA, MA, MSW, graduated from Smith College in 1964 and the University of Wisconsin in 1965 with degrees in English literature. In 1975 she obtained her MSW from the University of Georgia. After many years as a therapist, she enrolled at the C. G. Jung Institute (Zurich) and earned her Diploma in Analytical Psychology in 1992. She is a member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology, the Association of Graduates in Analytical Psychology, and the Memphis/Atlanta Jungian Seminar, an affiliate of the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts. After practicing for over 30 years in Atlanta, she now lives and works in Brevard, NC.

Her publications include: By Grief Transformed: Dreams and the Mourning Process (Spring Journal Books, 2010); “Planting the Golden Flower: A Dream of Hope in the Age of Trump,” Psychological Perspectives (Vol. 62, Issue 1, 2019); Images of the Dead in Grief Dreams: A Jungian View of Mourning  (Routledge, 2021); and “The Ever-Moving Caravan: Reflections on Aging, Dying, and Death” in Confronting Death (Chiron Publications, 2024)

Publications:

Images of the Dead in Grief Dreams. London and New York: Routledge, 2021.  

“The Ever-Moving Caravan: Reflections of Aging, Dying, and Death.” Luis Moris, ed., 

Confronting Death. Asheville, N.C.: Chiron Publications, 2024

Inhabiting a Larger Reality: How Psychedelics Heal

Depth psychologist C. G. Jung viewed neurosis as a kind of psychological illness that occurs when individuals, or cultures, have suppressed or ignored important aspects of inner or outer reality. In other words, we become psychologically sick when we inhabit a reality that is too small for the soul. Symptoms often express the soul's protest against this constriction. "Inhabiting a Larger Reality: How Psychedelics Heal" will explore how psychological constriction originates and how psychedelics can heal us by opening us to a larger reality—a reality large enough for the soul, and thus, a reality in which we can become whole and well both individually and culturally. 

Bio

Dylan Francisco, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and co-chair of the Jungian and Archetypal Studies M.A./Ph.D. program at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Dylan grounds his teaching in the depth psychology of C. G. Jung, decolonialism, and the Nahua/Indigenous/Shamanic traditions of his Mexican lineage that provide a primordial, holistic, and sacred worldview within which to understand the psyche, to embody its wholeness individually, and to live it relationally through honoring Spirit, the ancestors, and the land. 

Dylan Martinez Francisco, PhD’s page at Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Interview with Dr Francisco.

The Shadow of a Figure of Light: The Archetype of the Alcoholic examines the human thirst for wholeness through the lens of alcoholism and addiction. Establishing an unknown thread that ties renowned psychiatrist C.G. Jung to Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson, Peterson shows how their personal vision quests stemmed from an ancient shamanic legend--what he calls the archetype of the Alcoholic. Painting the Twelve Steps as a modern myth, the author presents the image of the Alcoholic as one that is leading us toward a more meaningful life amid a deepening spiritual crisis.

Bio

Cody Peterson is a desert rat, his life a pilgrimage into places few will go. The deserted slot canyons and sandstone monoliths of the American Southwest—many of which are named after the god-images he writes about—carved the way he sees the world. Yet, Cody’s life has been shaped even more by the mystery of compulsion. After years of homelessness and trips to jail, he finally sobered up, picking up the pen instead. Now he has set off on the sketchiest traverse of all—the journey within. By day, Cody works in construction, by night he writes.

Visit Cody’s Website.

See what Jungians and AA Historians say about Cody’s book “The Shadow of a Figure of Light”.

Embark on an Epic Journey with Dr. Judson Davis! Via Zoom.

Join us as Dr. Judson Davis guides us through the Hero and the Goddess: A Contemporary Account of the Mythic Embodiment of Homer's Odyssey and Its Correlation to the Cosmology of Earthly Incarnation, Jung's Individuation Process, and the Resurrection of the Divine Feminine.

This program will integrate many Jungian concepts that include the Hero's Journey, the individuation process, divine suffering, and reflections on the present developmental state of humanity, among other aspects. 

About Dr. Judson Davis:

Judson Davis, PhD, is a depth psychologist, university educator, author, filmmaker, and world traveler. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in East-West Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology (with emphasis in Depth Psychology) from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He has taught at institutions of higher learning in California, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, and has presented his work in a wide array of public venues. He is the Founding Director of the Institute of East-West Interdisciplinary Studies, which focuses on cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary research relating to the intersection of modern Western psychology (especially Jungian depth psychology and transpersonal studies) and ancient Eastern religious traditions (especially Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, and Shinto). The institute also offers East-West soul-centered counseling and online courses, which include a comparative study of Jungian depth psychology and Tibetan Buddhist Tantra as well as individual courses for each discipline. Published articles and short documentary films are also highlighted.

For additional information, please see the following website: www.east-westinstitute.com

Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams

In his autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections, written in the last years of his life, Jung recalled a dream from early childhood. Its strange, primal imagery seemed to foretell the great themes that would course through Jung’s life. Musing about this portentous dream, Jung asked, “Who spoke to me then? Who talked of problems far beyond my knowledge?” The other within who speaks to us in the mysterious language of image and symbol is the dream maker. It has access to deep wisdom beyond conscious awareness and nightly strives to share its insights with us.

In this presentation, Jungian analyst Lisa Marchiano will discuss the nature of the dream maker. What does Jung say about this aspect of us? How can we understand it, and how can we forge a relationship with it so that we can hear its insights?

She will then introduce the keys – 69 prompts from the new book Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams. The keys are designed to help circumvent the stubborn defenses of ego so that we can better hear the voice of the dream maker. Bring one (or more) of your dreams! You’ll have the opportunity to try out several of the keys – no need to share with the group.

About Lisa Marchiano, LCSW, Certified Jungian Analyst.

Lisa Marchiano is a writer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and certified Jungian analyst in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her MSW from New York University and completed analytic training at the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts. Lisa is on the faculty of the Philadelphia Jung Institute. Her writings have appeared in Quillette, the journal Psychological Perspectives, and the Journal of Analytical Psychology. She has presented on Jungian topics across the US as well as in Europe. Lisa’s first book Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself explores motherhood as a catalyst for personal growth. It was published by Sounds True.

Click here for Lisa Marchiano’s Web site.

Jung’s New Age Will Have an Ecological Framework.

Carl Jung foresaw a paradigm shift in 1940 he called a “New Age” and “Age of Aquarius” which we now realize must have an ecological framework. Ecopsychology examines our dysfunctional relationship with the environment and how we can deepen our connection with nature and Jung is the prototypical ecopsychologist: his entire system is based on an ecological sense of how the human psyche is part of nature. The green economists have much to contribute towards a paradigm shift especially when archetypically framed by the I Ching’s hexagram 42—Increase.

About Dr. Dennis Merritt:

Dennis Merritt, PhD, LCSW has an MA in Humanistic Psychology, a PhD in Insect Pathology from UC-Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Zurich Jung Institute. He practices as a Jungian analyst and ecopsychologist in Milwaukee, WI.

Dr. Merritt grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin where he developed a deep connection with the land, hence the title of his four-volume Dairy Farmer’s Guide to the Universe: Jung, Hermes, and Ecopsychology. He is particularly interested in the ecopsychological dimensions of Jungian theory and practice, working with an ecology of the psyche beginning at the intra-psychic level and extending to others and the environment. He lectures and conducts workshops on Jung and the environment, including demonstrating how dreams and the I Ching can be used to connect more deeply to the natural world. As an ecologist he finds the application of complexity theory to the main Jungian concepts to be the most meaningful way to talk about archetypes and conceptualizing the analytic process.

Dr. Merritt’s forte is dream work, often incorporating the I Ching into the analytic process. His particular interests include men’s issues, spirituality, the environment, and an archetypal analysis of films and cultural phenomena. His blog has articles on “Hunger Games from a Jungian, Political, and Environmental Perspective”, “Guns and the American Psyche” (July, 2013), and writings on Star Wars, climate change, dreams and the I Ching, sacred landscapes, synchronicity, George Floyd (June 2022), and Covid-19 (June, 2022).

Dr. Merrit’s Website..

Jungian analyst Steven Herrmann's most recent book is a study based on four decades of grounded theory research into the nature of vocational dreams, calling archetypes, and nuclear symbols in work with individuals in all stages of life from early childhood to old age. Herrmann’s hypothesis is that vocational dreams can help patients remove obstacles to individuation and are core variables in Jungian analysis.

Some of our deepest motivations are produced by what the author calls nuclear symbols, which are one of the most powerful sources of inspiration one can possibly experience. The nuclear symbol, the core constituent of one’s calling, is often constellated in early childhood, latency, or adolescence.

The author will discuss his research on calling archetypes at UC Santa Cruz, vocational dreams in early adulthood at JFK University, vocational development in childhood at Lincoln Child Center’s Residential Treatment Program, and other examples from his analytic practice and anthropological research in order to further illustrate the theory. The author will then discuss how Jung’s models of psychological types and synchronicity relate to the constellation of calling archetypes and transformative relationships in human evolution.

In addition, there will be an experiential section of this presentation/workshop. The presenter will make suggestions on journaling to leave you with, a daily practice of writing down your dreams, whatever images come to mind. We'll learn to enter the streams of consciousness in the moment. Dreams can also be spoken aloud into a voice recorder. Feeling our interconnectedness with our dreams, we will learn how to take instructions from them and relate them to our callings. Finally we will experiment with dream interpretation, poetic reverie, writing, and active imagination.

Dr. Steven Herrmann’s Website.

About Dr. Steven Herrmann:

Steven Herrmann, PhD, MFT, is an analyst member of the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco. He has presented papers internationally and is the author of numerous articles, several book chapters, and eight books including "William James and C.G. Jung: Doorways to the Self," and his recent publications in 2024, "Meister Eckhart and C.G. Jung: On the Vocation of the Self," and "Vocational Dreams: Calling Archetypes and Nuclear Symbols."

As a pioneering psychoanalyst and artist, Morgan left a significant mark on modern psychology. Filmmaker Hilary Morgan will be delving into her grandmother's groundbreaking journey as an early feminist who, while exploring her own unconscious, became an extraordinary influence in the advancement of Jungian psychology.

Her deep and transformative work with Carl Jung, where she became his most studied patient, contributed to some of his key theories on women's psychology. Later, as a Harvard psychoanalyst and researcher, Morgan continued to push the boundaries of analytic psychology, especially in understanding the feminine psyche.

"Tower of Dreams" showcases Morgan's fearless dive into her unconscious, uncovering a powerful feminine voice and pioneering new perspectives in analytic psychology. Join us for a documentary film and discussion about this remarkable woman's impact on psychology and art.

The Tower referred to in the title of the program is falling into disrepair and there is a move to raise funds for renovations. If you would like to donate or learn more about the Tower in general or this effort, Click Here.

Following the practice and belief of Carl Jung, this workshop provides an accessible and thought-provoking introduction to Spontaneous Drawing.

Spontaneous Drawing provides a most direct and authentic approach to the unconscious, often revealing the unexpected in oneself or in the other.

This workshop includes accessible Jungian concepts underlining Jung’s own belief in the power of spontaneity as an invaluable approach in one’s own inner journey.

This course includes accessing spontaneous symbol forming functions of the psyche, active participation in imaginative processes and guided journeying.

This is a hands on event so be sure to have your drawing materials available. Colored pencils and white paper and get ready to explore the deeper dimensions!!

Patricia Anne Elwood,

Jungian analyst, post-graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute, Zurich, in analytical psychology for children and adolescents, and adults.

I have always been a traveler and explorer of the inner and outer realms. As an explorer, I have been passionate about what people believe in and this has brought me to the backwaters of the world where I met with many indigenous peoples and participated in their rituals, ceremonies and beliefs systems.

Over several decades, applying Spontaneous Drawing as an approach, I discovered that it is accessible to people of any age, culture, discipline, creed or race, and is a most magical means of connection in any environment.

Jung’s description of the collective unconscious became obvious for me when I encountered similar patterns in a variety of diverse cultures.

With Jung, I recognize that the psyche has a dimension beyond time and space and that we are all interconnected as one global human tribe, with one fundamental search for unity and wholeness.

Collectively we have lost the link to the inner life in ourselves, the source and origin of all cure, of all progression, creativity and true sense of self.

Our times are times of transition; the collective unconscious provides support in this era for change and reconnection to the essential.

I invite all who are interested in raising their awareness and who are seeking to live a fuller life to join me in exploring the inner spheres in themselves.

I have found no approach more immediate and more convincing then spontaneous drawing. My aim is to bring people closer to the source within where they find their true orientation and sense of destiny.

For further information, visit Patrica Anne Elwood’s website. Click Here.

Beginning in the years leading up to the Great War, both C.G. Jung and J.R.R. Tolkien independently began to undergo profound imaginal experiences. Jung recorded these fantasies in a large red manuscript that he named Liber Novus, referred to simply as The Red Book. For Tolkien, this imaginal journey revealed to him the world of Middle-earth, whose stories and myths eventually led to the writing of The Lord of the Rings, a book he named within its own imaginal history The Red Book of Westmarch. This workshop explores the many synchronistic parallels between Jung’s and Tolkien’s Red Books: the style and content of their works of art, the narrative descriptions and scenes in their texts, the nature of their visions and dreams, and an underlying similarity in world view that emerged from their experiences. The two men seem to have been simultaneously treading parallel paths through the imaginal realm.

Following the opening lecture and a Q&A session between the presenter and the audience, workshop participants will dive deeply into exploring the meaning of certain key visions and fantasies in C.G. Jung's Red Book, interpreting the text and images in communal dialogue.

Bio

Becca Tarnas, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Her doctoral dissertation was titled The Back of Beyond: The Red Books of C.G. Jung and J.R.R. Tolkien, and her research interests include depth psychology, archetypal studies, literature, philosophy, and the ecological imagination. Becca is an editor of Archai: The Journal of Archetypal Cosmology and author of the book Journey to the Imaginal Realm: A Reader’s Guide to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. She is currently researching and writing a biography of Stanislav Grof, a co-founder of transpersonal psychology.

Visit Dr Tarnas' website.s website.

Join us for our second meeting/discussion regarding Jung, future and past events, and any other related subjects. This is a free event unlike our other events with paid speakers and tickets.

The meeting will go from 1 to 4pm, with a discussion surrounding the Jungian term, "synchronicity" from 2pm to 3pm, led by Craig Hayenga. However, the Meetup will retain a free-form and we will keep allowing for the evolution of ideas and concepts related to these meetups, including choosing a theme for the next one.

Elliot, Board Member and Meetup Organizer.

Bridging Realms: Active Imagination and Buddhist Meditation in Dialogue.

This workshop will foster a rich dialogue between the principles of active imagination, a cornerstone in analytical psychology, and Buddhist meditations, renowned for their spiritual depth and contributions to current waves of mindfulness-based interventions. We will navigate the nuances of these practices, seeking common ground, and uncovering potential synergies.

We will cover the contents below:

1.     Foundations of Active Imagination and Buddhist Meditation

·      Examine the historical and theoretical underpinnings of active imagination in analytical psychology.

·      Delve into the roots and two major forms of Buddhist meditation, concentration meditation (Samatha) and insight meditation (Vipassana).

2.     Comparative Analysis of Active Imagination vs. Buddhist Meditation

·      Discuss Jung's model of the psyche and the prerequisites, stages, and goals of active imagination.

·      Investigate Buddhist meditation's prerequisites, stages, and goals, drawing parallels and distinctions.

·      Engage participants in sharing their thoughts and experiences related to active imagination practices.

3.     Reassessing Perceptions: “Passive” Imagination in Buddhist Meditation

·      Challenge preconceptions surrounding the perceived passivity of Buddhist meditation.

·      Examine how characteristics of mindfulness-based interventions align with Jungian practices.

·      Encourage participants to reflect on their own meditation experiences and consider how these experiences may influence the integration of their unconscious contents.

4.     Integration and Application: Towards a Unified Model

·      Review findings from recent meditation studies, encompassing insights from the field of neuroscience. 

·      Propose an integrated model, drawing on the stages of active imagination, to incorporate components of Buddhist meditation into the practice of active imagination.

·      Facilitate a mindfulness practice within an active imagination exercise to promote embodied experiences.

Participate in this workshop to cultivate a nuanced understanding of both active imagination and Buddhist meditation. Our facilitation will empower participants to explore the potential integration of these practices, providing valuable perspectives on how they can augment psychotherapeutic and individuation processes.

Bio

Dr. Wen-Yu Cheng is a licensed psychologist, Jungian analyst, and neuropsychologist with practice licenses in Arizona, Washington, and PSYPACT. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute in California, completing a predoctoral internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Dr. Cheng studied analytical psychology as an international scholar and fellow at the C. G. Jung Institute of San Francisco, subsequently obtaining certification as a Jungian analyst from the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP).

His professional focus lies in bilingual (English and Mandarin) neuropsychological assessment, neurorehabilitation, and psychotherapy for individuals facing neurological and psychiatric conditions. Additionally, Dr. Cheng offers clinical services and facilitates seminars on mindfulness-based interventions, multiculturalism, and analytical psychology. His interest lies in exploring the integration of Jungian psychology, Buddhist perspectives, mindfulness-based interventions, and neuropsychology.

Dr. Cheng maintains membership in professional organizations such as IAAP, Taiwan Society for Analytical Psychology (TSAP), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Asian Neuropsychological Association (ANA). 

Visit Dr Cheng's website.

In a letter to Paul Schmidt, C. G. Jung acknowledged Faust the alchemist to be his own myth. Elsewhere, he describes himself as carrying the burden of Faust, and of being responsible somehow for Faust’s repentance. What did Jung mean? Is a personal myth something we come in with? A story at work behind our biography?

Join us for a presentation and discussion about exploring your myth and the archetype expressing it. We will explore the recurrence and significance of myth, look at the personal myths of several public figures, dip into the etymologies of our names for mythic clues, and go through several tools for tracing the presence of our myth in our birth story, childhood, relationships, choice of work, and major life transitions. We will also reimagine the myth as a psychical being who needs us for its own creative elaboration.

About our speaker, CRAIG CHALQUIST, PhD

​Author, Deep Educator, Speaker, Loreologist

Dr. Craig Chalquist is a professor, author, and consultant who writes and teaches at the intersection of psyche, story, and imagination, with one foot in the academy and the other in the world. As a loreologist, he provides resources for exploring the limits and possibilities of the personal and collective stories we navigate by in order to deepen, expand, or replace them so we move from being confined by them to authoring them.

Dr. Chalquist coined the term “terrapsychology” to describe the study of how our natural surroundings can manifest intimately in human psychology. He also coined “enchantivism,” a form of storytelling that moves from human injustice to a vision of how we most desire to live as a global community.

​A former Associate Provost at Pacifica Graduate Institute and former full professor in the Department of East-West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, he has designed and launched more than forty psychology, philosophy, mythology, and ecotherapy courses for graduate students and undergrads. He earned his Ph.D. in depth psychology, and his master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy, which he practiced for nine years. He is currently working on a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program at CIIS.

​Founder of the world’s first ecotherapy certificate program, Dr. Chalquist is on the board of Holos Institute and the editorial board of the journal Ecopsychology. He is also a member of the American Philosophical Association and an ambassador to Jung Platform. His books include Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind (edited with Linda Buzzell; Counterpoint, 2008), Myths Among Us: When Timeless Tales Return to Life (World Soul Books, 2018), and Terrapsychological Inquiry: Restorying Our Relationship with Nature, Place, and Planet (Routledge, 2020).

​Dr. Chalquist’s work in the world is in service to creating and supporting the sustainable, just, and delightful communities of belonging he knows we are capable of scaling up.

Craig Chalquist's website.

Craig Chalquist’s book Storied Lives: Discovering and Deepening Your Personal Myth discusses the material in this program and will enhance your experience of Dr. Chalquist’s presentation..

In our first in person program since the pandemic, Dr Jane Selinske presents Projective Drawing as Pathway Toward Healing and Individuation. This is a hands on program so be ready to draw. No previous art experience is necessary to attend this class. We will provide basic materials, such as paper plates, pads of paper, graphite and colored pencils, pastels, and crayons, but suggest you bring your own preferred materials also.

As personal and private matters may come up in the course of this presentation, no recording of this presentation will be made and there will be no zoom attendance offered.

In analytical psychology there has been an emphasis on projection as the means by which the contents of the inner world are made available to ego-consciousness. Jung was the first to discover how to integrate his unconscious with consciousness through his depressive break from Freud using active imagination, projective drawing, and dialogue. For Jung, the function of projection was to separate the subject and object culminating in increased ego-consciousness. He was also interested in the origin of the projections as archetypal or personal.

One particular way to access the unconscious is through Projective Drawing, which can assist the therapist in understanding clients who can project their unconscious thoughts, feelings, history and concerns onto the drawing. The information that is gained can inform the therapeutic treatment. Additionally, the art, imagery and symbols created can be particularly helpful without direct verbal revelation.

Our Presenter:

Jane Selinske, EdD, LCSW, NCPsyA, LP, MT-BC, is a licensed Jungian analyst, a practitioner of Mandala Assessment and Board-Certified Music Therapist. She was trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and has taught psychology and Jungian theory at the Washington Jung Society, PAJA, the Institute of Expressive Analysis, the Creative Therapies Institute connected with New York University, the New York C.G. Jung Institute, Rutgers University and the New York C.G. Jung Foundation, where she is currently President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Selinske has a practice in Sedona, AZ, where she unites music and imagery, art, spirituality and Jungian theory.

Location : New Vision Center for Spiritual Living, 18010 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85032

This is on the west side of Tatum Blvd, just off of the 101, 1.3 miles south of the Musical Instrument Museum.

In every tradition, saints and poets speak of the soul’s search for the beloved, the seeker’s yearning for the divine, for the Self beyond ego. This holy longing is a secret feeling with many disguises, leading us to pursue a higher union in spiritual practice, religious discipleship, even romantic embrace. It guides us to timeless wisdom and transcendent experiences.

But it also can go awry when we project the divine onto a therapist, teacher, priest, guru, rabbi, or roshi who is all too human – who has unhealed wounds, undeveloped empathy, or authoritarian tendencies. In effect, a woman or man who has a shadow. If he or she abuses power-- sexual, financial, or emotional coercion -- we feel the shock of betrayal, our innocence lost, our faith destroyed.

But today we have the tools of depth psychology and spiritual shadow-work to help us recover and rekindle the flame of longing in our souls.

This presentation, based on my book Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path, explains why we are drawn to charismatic leaders, what we unconsciously give away to them, and how to reclaim it for our own treasury.

It extends the #MeToo movement into the spiritual arena.

Connie Zweig, Ph.D. is a retired therapist and coauthor of Meeting the Shadow and Romancing the Shadow. Her award-winning book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul, extends her work on the Shadow into midlife and beyond and explores aging as a spiritual practice. It won the 2022 Gold COVR Award, the 2022 Gold Nautilus Award, the 2021 American Book Fest Award, and the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for best inspirational non-fiction. Her new book, Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path: The Dance of Darkness and Light in Our Search for Awakening, is available now. Connie has been doing contemplative practices for more than 50 years. She is a wife, stepmother, and grandmother. After all these roles, she’s practicing the shift from role to soul.

Click on the image below to purchase Connie Zweig’s book Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path.

Join us on Sunday, June 25th at 6 pm on Zoom for the Annual Meeting of the Phoenix Friends of C.G. Jung. The meeting is open to all of our members, to discuss our most recent season, what we have coming up in our 2023-24 season, commencing this September, and to take any ideas and questions you might have.

The Zoom link will be sent to current members via email.

You can send us your questions and ideas, including any topics you would like to suggest for the agenda of our annual meeting, by replying to this email or sending a message to contact@phxjung.org. We will try to consolidate like topics and questions, but we may not be able to address all submissions we receive during the meeting. Some specific requests may be addressed on an individualized basis.

We will also be discussing volunteer opportunities and how you can help PFOJ from wherever you are.

We look forward to seeing all of you!

Best,
The Whole Board at PFOJ

Dennis and Rebecca will discuss the ideas in Alchemy, Jung, and Remedios Varo, which offers a depth psychological analysis of the art and life of Remedios Varo, a Spanish surrealist painter. The book uses Varo’s paintings in a revolutionary way: to critique the patriarchal underpinnings of Jungian psychology, alchemy, and Surrealism, illuminating how Varo used painting to address cultural complexes that silence female expression.

The book focuses on how the practice of alchemical psychology, through the power of imagination and the archetypal Feminine, can lead to healing and transformation for individuals and culture. Alchemy, Jung, and Remedios Varo offers the first in-depth psychological treatment of the role alchemy played in the friendship between Varo and Leonora Carrington—a connection that led to paintings that protest the pitfalls of patriarchy.

This unique book will be of great interest for academics, scholars, and post-graduate students in the fields of analytical psychology, art history, Surrealism, cultural criticism, and Jungian studies.

Dennis Pottenger is a Jungian-oriented psychotherapist in private practice in California.  Dennis studied psychotherapy at Pacifica Graduate Institute and works often with trauma, identity, and diversity issues. 

An award-winning literary journalist, Dennis is the author of Alchemy, Jung, and Remedios Varo: Cultural Complexes and the Redemptive Power of the Abjected Feminine (Routledge, 2021), and Great Expectations, a season in the life of a professional football franchise (Prima, 1991). 

On a personal level, Dennis is a proud step-father to four multi-racial children (Alisha, Veronica, Coreana, and Jasynte) and step-grandfather to Ezra, who is 3 years old, and Ariah, who will be 2 years old early next year. 

 Rebecca Livingston-Pottenger is a Jungian-oriented psychotherapist and Adjunct Faculty Member at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she advises MA candidates and edits master’s theses and dissertations. 

 Rebecca is a feminist scholar and gifted intuitive healer who has practiced and taught Reiki, a hands-on Japanese healing art, for more than 30 years. 

 Rebecca loves to work with women in small groups and with individuals.  She facilitates intimate, transformational retreats using experiential modalities ranging from movement, vocal, and creative practices to guided visualization and Tarot.

 Rebecca brings extensive presentation skills to the Varo material, having given papers at several conferences hosted by the Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies over the past decade. 

To see a brief introductory video, click here.

Join us to learn how depth-psychology in particular can help us understand the human psyche in meeting the dramatic changes in the world today. Find out how archetypal astrology is a useful tool to discover not only yourself but the times we are living in. Explore your inner multiplicity and discover what parts of you are comfortable with change.

Born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland, Dr. Hillman became immersed in archetypes at the age of sixteen and this has remained his passion for over forty years. As a professional archetypal coach, he specializes in helping his clients understand their deeper purpose and their life's calling - especially in these challenging times. In his role as a consultant, he helps leaders and organizations understand their archetypal patterns and advises on high-level decision making in organizations. His tools for mapping archetypes include archetypal astrology for which he is one of the leading voices worldwide.

Dr. Hillman is the co-creator of Archetypes at Work™, a new cutting-edge method to assess and develop people and organizations to become fit for the future.

He has lectured internationally and conducted workshops at the Globe Theatre in London where he . At the Cycles & Symbols Conference in California, he lectured on Venus in America (co-presented with his father James Hillman). He has also taught at Jean Houston's Mystery School, at Pacifica Graduate Institute, in Findhorn, and he has been a repeated guest lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis. He has taught small study groups and private students across the US.

He is the author of Planets in Play - How to Reimagine Your Life Through the Language of Astrology the co-author of Alignments - How to Live in Harmony with the Universe and also the co-author of Archetypes at Work - Evolving your Story, One Character at a Time.

Dr. Hillman holds a PhD in psychology with a focus on Transformative Leadership, an MBA, an MCM (Masters in Construction Management), as well as a degree in Architecture. He is on the faculty at Meridian University in Petaluma, CA.

He has traveled extensively in more than forty countries, is fluent in five languages and lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife Cindy.

This lecture will contrast Jung’s notion of the Self with traditional theistic images of the divine. I will describe the range of ways in which the Self may appear within the psyche, and I will discuss the ways in which Jung’s approach avoids the philosophical problems associated with the idea of God found in the Judeo-Christian tradition. I will show how Jung’s approach allows the development of a personal spirituality rather than one based on doctrine and dogma. I will discuss Jung’s notion of the dark side of the Self in his Answer to Job, and the arguments with theologians this book produced. I will encourage participants to describe their personal experience of the Self.

Dr. Lionel Corbett trained in medicine and psychiatry in England and as a Jungian Analyst at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago. He is a professor of depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, in Santa Barbara, California. He is the author of six books: Psyche and the sacred: The religious function of the psyche; The sacred cauldron: Psychotherapy as a spiritual practice; The soul in anguish: Psychotherapeutic approaches to suffering; Understanding Evil: A guide for psychotherapists, and The God-image: From antiquity to Jung. He is the co-editor of four volumes of collected papers: Psyche's Stories; Depth psychology, meditations in the field; Psychology at the threshold; and Jung and aging.

Susan’s workshop will be in three parts. In the first place she will show Jung’s theory and practice of psychic fertility or creativity and divination. Secondly there will be an experiential exploration of psychic images arising within the group. Thirdly Susan will link the topics covered to her Jungian novel, The Sacred Well Murders that arose from Jungian divination during the pandemic. If people are able to read the novel in advance, we can use it like a book group and as prompt to generate further Jungian art-research topics.

The Sacred Well Murders

Susan Rowland (PhD) is Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, California. She has published extensively on Jung, literary theory, gender, literature and detective fiction. Her books include, Jung: A Feminist Revision (2002), The Ecocritical Psyche (2012), Jungian Literary Criticism: the Essential Guide (2019), Jungian Arts-based Research and the Nuclear Enchantment of New Mexico (2021). Her Jungian arts-based research is writing the Mary Wandwalker detective novels. Founding chair of the International Association for Jungian Studies (IAJS) in 2003, Susan lives in California with digital literary artist, Joel Weishaus. Email: srowland@pacifica.edu