Article: Nature Dreaming: Depth Psychology and Ecology by Stephen Aizenstat

In this article, "Nature Dreaming: Depth Psychology and Ecology," Stephen Aizenstat PhD explores our relationship with nature using a depth psychological lens. He writes,

"While both Freud and Jung developed intricate systems of psychological thought, neither brought particular emphasis to the inter-connectedness between human experience and the creatures and things of our world. I believe the task of Depth Psychology today is to extend the work of Freud and Jung to include consideration of the psyche of nonhuman experience...."

Read the article here

BTW, if you're attending the Synchronicity: Psyche and Matter Symposium in Joshua Tree in September, you'll have the chance to see Stephen Aizenstat speak there!

"From the perspective of the psyche of nature, cancer, too, has an important role to play. Yes, it has the capacity to make us suffer in horrible ways, even kill us; nevertheless, when viewed as one of nature’s processes, cancer can be re-imagined in a manner that acknowledges and respects its intended function. From a Depth Psychological point of view the goal is not to “get rid” of cancer in order to sustain life in service of a tenacious ego. Rather, this condition is re-experienced in relationship to the principles of nature—where health and disease, life and death are related parts of a continuing cycle. When cancer, and death, are seen as part of nature’s design, both are given a sense of place. We do not work so hard resisting, at all costs, the “alien intrusion” of disease or denying the existence of life’s other side, death. Once we are resituated in this wider, ever-transforming ecology of nature, we reconnect with the natural resource and the rhythm that live inside of us. Realignment with nature’s harmonic provides a potent complement to well-considered medical care."

Would an ecopsycological perspective allow for the eradication of viruses that are deadly to humans, like smallpox or HIV, or "super bugs" -- strains of bacteria that are resistant to the human immune system and existing antibiotics?

Replies

Holly Esch June 29, 2014 at 7:19pm

"From the perspective of the psyche of nature, cancer, too, has an important role to play. Yes, it has the capacity to make us suffer in horrible ways, even kill us; nevertheless, when viewed as one of nature’s processes, cancer can be re-imagined in a manner that acknowledges and respects its intended function. From a Depth Psychological point of view the goal is not to “get rid” of cancer in order to sustain life in service of a tenacious ego. Rather, this condition is re-experienced in relationship to the principles of nature—where health and disease, life and death are related parts of a continuing cycle. When cancer, and death, are seen as part of nature’s design, both are given a sense of place. We do not work so hard resisting, at all costs, the “alien intrusion” of disease or denying the existence of life’s other side, death. Once we are resituated in this wider, ever-transforming ecology of nature, we reconnect with the natural resource and the rhythm that live inside of us. Realignment with nature’s harmonic provides a potent complement to well-considered medical care."

Would an ecopsycological perspective allow for the eradication of viruses that are deadly to humans, like smallpox or HIV, or "super bugs" -- strains of bacteria that are resistant to the human immune system and existing antibiotics?

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