JUNG AT HEART, A SPRING 2011 READING/INQUIRY GROUP NOW FORMING

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. -- C.G. Jung*

"Man has a soul...there is a buried treasure in the field." -- C.G. Jung **


Carl Jung's entire life and vocation were devoted to the exploration and understanding of the religious function of the psyche [click here to read a book review] . His books and ideas have only just begun to be understood as a radical re-dreaming of human purpose that he discovered in his lifelong study of myth, religion, science, culture and individual dreams. His books are not easily understood but if one persists, and with helpful others also reading along, the rich depths of his psychological explorations begin to incrementally reveal.

With a goal to this rich unfolding of Jung, a bi-monthly reading and inquiry group is forming for all who are interested in reading Jung and Jungian or transpersonal works of a religious/soulful nature which synthesize psychological and mythic material.

Those who are involved in therapy work, counseling, body oriented psychological work, ministerial work, any form of healing work with others or who simply want to continue to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the psyche (Greek for "soul") and develop a deeper union and communion with personal and transpersonal (archetypal) psyche which, says Jung, "we are within...it is not just within us," are invited to attend. A primary goal of the group will be to understand and integrate Jung's psychological approach personally and practically.

All you need to participate in this group is a commitment to regularly attend, as well as a commitment to growth, understanding and integration of the material read and discussed. If you delight in tackling difficult texts all the better. If you struggle with difficult text but want to "get to the meat of the text" with others all the better, too.

There are two ways of engaging with the symbolic, archetypal, and mythological forms that reside in the wild landscape of our unconscious. One is to encounter them as they emerge, grappling and wrestling with them in ordinary everyday reality, turning our gaze to their veiled faces and hooded eyes to see what mystery lies there. The other way, however, is ultimately an inevitable call to descend into the depths where the forms dwell, facing and interacting with them in their own turf, the mysterious inner territory of the
underworld that supports and sustains them—and us. - James Hillman [here]

This group will also be a form of supervision for those participants who have some form of practice working with others in a "helping" capacity. We will work your clinical material as we work with the texts for greater understanding, integration and application in your work.

I will facilitate the reading and discussion also using clinical material from Jung's and others' practices while inviting participants to bring their own clinical material to the group for discussion in regards to the studies at hand.

I propose that we begin by reading Jung's 1934 seminar on children's dreams. It is readable, fascinating and enlightening with immediate application to one's own dream work as well as working with the dreams of others. The seminar has only just this year been published and is available at [click here] amazon.com as well as the C.G. Jung bookstore on E. 39th Street. As we read this and other books I will provide a model of Jung's view of the psyche which will assist in understanding the reading and practical application of Jung's insights and techniques. You may read a review of the seminar here.

The group will begin April 4th, meeting every other Monday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm depending on its size (the meeting time can be tweaked a bit depending on the daily schedules of attendees). You can bring y0ur lunch or brunch if need be while we shall all munch mentally upon the reading for the day.

The fee for attendance is $50 per class. You will purchase your own books. I will provide handouts, essays, etc. as may be needed to further understanding and practical application of what we are reading.

I request a commitment of attendance to the group till end of June. If the group prefers to meet weekly then I am certainly available to do so. If you are outside of Manhattan and have several people interested in forming a reading/study group in your area please let me know. Have Jung will travel. Also, if there are at least 3 people who can meet at a particular time and day then I am able to meet at said time.

Feel free to forward this e-flyer to anyone you think may want to attend.

We will meet at East 10 St apartment in Manhattan's East Village between 3rd and 2nd avenue (contact me for the exact address). If there are more than 8 students I will arrange to meet elsewhere.

If you would like to speak to me personally about the group please do not hesitate to call me. My phone number is 212-677-6712. You may email me at roofdweller_2@yahoo.com.


Looking forward to getting started!!


Warren Falcon


*from Memories, Dreams, Reflections, 1962

**from a letter by C.G. Jung, Jung Letters, Volume 2, 1973