Good meeting today! Got a lot done.
I raised this today but have gathered a few more thoughts about overcoming a potential obstacle in telling the world who we are: namely, that it can be problematic to define ourselves as a method or methodology, procedure, or conceptual system without also saying what it can be used for. If we were the Linguistics Alliance, people would wonder: yeah, so what do you actually promote?
When I tell people what I think depth psychology is, I also add that DP for me is:
- An alternative philosophy to mechanistic-materialistic worldviews, one that is more organic
- A set of tools for working with the depths of personal and collective consciousness
- A psychological and experiential research tradition more than two hundred years old and with far older ancestors
- A method of critical inquiry for understanding why we value what we do
- A set of healing approaches for bringing back into focus what's been pushed out of consciousness
....and so on: the list could be expanded, of course. So as we describe DP and the Alliance, I think we should be prepared to say what they are for, especially DP (since the Alliance is for promoting it).
Cheers--
Replies
Thanks Craig and Eva, James and Donna, for creating and expanding this ongoing discussion of what does depth and the DPA do and why are we willing to stand under this umbrella--or tree. And especially interesting for me to note James' identification of various groups holding DP as an integral element of their movement.
In no identifiably systematic sort of response to these other ideas--just from my own compensatory psychic system I would add or amplify:
*DP offers a lens that accepts malady, discomfort, symptom, dis-ease, and dis-organization as material for opportunity, growth and exploration specific to that individual or system (and the collective), not just as opportunity for alleviation or elimination.
*DP is a psychology for understanding of the individual and the collective, for people and their communities, for communities to understand other communities. And thus, offers tools for community building, community connecting.
*Archetypes at the root of DP encourage and probably insist that the earth under our feet and the sky swirling around and above us is our home, worthy of celebration, care, indebtedness, and healing in a reciprocal manner.
...And on and on...
Thanks DPA brothers and sisters!
Good stuff. My shorthand version when I'm describing DP to people: it welcomes in what has been exiled to the margins of culture and consciousness. Beyond that, I like your Earth connection.
Thanks Craig,
I also think of DP as being an integral element of existing movements such as the recovery movement and the men's movement, the cultural creative movement, global awareness, and any and all movements (especially - for me - spiritual movements rather than political movements that seek to address marginalized people; any people or ideas that are being 'left-out' of public life and discourse (especially African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics).
So, that is to say that one thing DP does is to supplement the spiritual underpinnings of these and other movements.
All the best,
James
I was just talking to folks at Pacifica, and some of the discussion was about this, and how DP is so much larger than a methodology or even a set of practices or therapies. It is a way to live, and a movement (as Bonnie has been saying), and an eradigm shift ("eradigm" because it's larger than a paradigm)....
Craig, excellent thoughts/ideas.
This also got me thinking of what marketing teachers have said: when promoting self/organization, the focus should be on the client/member and what they will get out of their involvement and/or purchase (be it a membership, a workshop, a product, etc).
As I think about what I have gotten/continue to get out of the DPA, here is what is important to me:
- Community of like-minded individuals (I specifically liked the fact that Bonnie was from Pacifica, as I had a positive time there and like connecting with other alumni); a part of a "tribe" of folk that think like me (very important for me, because I live in such a rural place where not many know about or understand depth psychology);
- The free stuff (initially), especially the audio interviews and the links to articles;
- I also love the interaction with others, especially when interactive. People have lots of info; I think members are craving an experience, too.
Just my two pennies (more to come)....D
Thanks for the shiny pennies. So important to bear this aspect in mind.
Donna, hi:
I agree with what you say you find attractive about the DPA, I like these things too. One thing I was a little wary of when joining was that it might be a group made up of people who are really only interested in marketing to one another (many of the online musician communities end up being like that). I would like to work towards inhabiting a space where we know that we are providing enough real service to people that we attract a larger community of people who are interested in what they have gained from the alliance, not just more people who want to use the alliance as a marketing platform. Marketing real services to the community is great, but we will know we are really providing a service when there are more and more people interested in joining because of the value available to them through the alliance.
All the best,
James
Excellent insights, Craig. Thanks.
It was a wonderful meeting today and I am re-inspired by what is emerging here on DPA.
Thank you for this list, Craig. This is a great structure on which to build. I have been thinking a lot about this very issue of the conceptual vs the practical application. You statements lend so much clarity and direction here as you describe rather than merely give a "name" that may be obscure to those not initiated into DP language. This is so rich and deepens and opens the door to bringing into form what has been abstract.
How do we create a Depth Psychology method that is of benefit to the people we are inviting to join us?
What (as Bonnie) brought up makes us different than other groups?
How can we implement/manifest methods that are practical, inspiring and educational?
How do we channel this "not knowing" in a time of tremendous change into action?
Do we perceive Depth psychology as an instrument for revealing the depth and breadth of a movement inclusive of soul?
I am excited about the emerging conversation.
Thank you!