Some movements spring up and take a life a life of their own such as Arab Spring or Occupy Wallstreet. The role of social media was instrumental in both Arab Spring sweeping through multiple countries and OWS occurring in countless cities. As we look at transitioning from purely academic to a movement, which includes academic and activism, plus I am sure many other pieces, were do we begin, who do we look to as models?
First if we look at the early days of what is now depth psychology, we can look to our early ancestors. In 1919 Alfred Adler established a child guidance clinic, that would soon grow to 27 clinics, in impoverished areas that were free. Freud, in the same year, suggested the establishment of free psychoanalytic clinics and in 1920 Eintigen and Simmel created the Berlin Institute. These ancestors understood the importance of taking depth psychology to the common or marginalized person. They saw its value for all persons and especially those who would never have access to psychoanalysis because of economic means and/or social position. How do we look to our ancestors for guidance?
Depth psychology, in its current rainbow form, is composed of a multitude of parts, is a multitude of things, coming together like Hillman's unstrung pearl necklace. I like to think that this is an advantage, and a huge undertaking, in seeing the parts of working with communities to understand what they see will be of benefit for their wellness. For example, one community might want straight up therapy. Another community might want soul-environmental activism. The permutations of depth psychology in relation with, and as an equal partner with individual communities boggles my mind!
Equally boggling is that we are talking about taking depth psychology to the streets through the medium of social media. If you look at the two movements I mentioned, both were in the street movements started by social media, maintained by social media, and spread by social media. Yet, they all had enormous ground support that became the real movement that was supported by social media. How does this dual position of social media and people on the ground come into our imagining our movement within depth psychology and activism?
With all of this in mind, I suggest that we engage, what I see as a systematic approach for transitioning The Depth Psychology Alliance from, in my mind, is purely academic, to a movement which incorporates the academic and activism but where the lens from which we view the world and depth psychology is what really changes. David Suzuki speaks of indigenous peoples being the best stewards of the land, not because of actions, but because the lens through which they view the world is different, it is a sustaining lens of reciprocal relationship that is absent for most Euronized/Westernized peoples. The relationship is different. If we want a movement in the streets, not for the people, but with the people, how do we change our lens? Is changing the lens paramount? Is changing the lens a first step?
Our movement cannot be a top down movement and be governed as a top down movement for it to succeed. Movements are by the people for the people. In this world of social media, how do we reach out and understand the community and engage the community for action? For change? What if our community does not want to change? What if they like the lens through which they view/understand/interact/react the world?
Yes, I am long winded and full of short thoughts. But, I would humbly suggest as a starting point for the Depth Psychology Alliance transition, that we engage a small robust group of long time activists, who understand Depth Psychology or who understand the ever expanding world of social media/technology. I would love a group of 100 and throw them into a room filled with food and drink and see what this kind of think tank would create. But, as we just don;t have those resources or power, I suggest a group of 5-6. DPA board creates a 8-10 minute YouTube video where we succinctly outline who we are and were we want to go; our big dream. We use that with additional DPA links, should they desire more information and ask for specific transition strategies and potential hazards that could stifle growing the movement. We compile their thoughts and see what patterns emerge. Maybe the fall Depth Insights, as one means, might be the means for reporting this information to our community but also having articles related to the specific issues that need to be addressed.
And final thoughts. I do not desire for DPA to mimic or be like any of the online communities I see as they are, in my opinion, still using the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope before it was refitted to actually see clearly. Our mission as a movement will attract who we want and engage in ways that are appropriate to our big dream. Size is not important. Integrity of relationships are important. Depth Psychology as practice, much in the same way the Dharma or meditation is practice. Or, for the Anishinabe, the practice of lifeway [way of life] which is based on an understanding of relationship and the need to practice balance, reverence, and humility in our relationships with all beings. I believe this is our critical tipping point, Depth Psychology as practice, not a daily practice but a practice in how we live our life, a life without compartments where Depth is in its box to be used as desired.
We are. Now, how do we become?
Replies
I am interested in all that's being said here, but two points especially resonate for me: Jesse's curiosity about "the lens through which we view the world," and James' mention of "movements of a palpable spirit that were already in the process of manifesting." My understanding is that the Alliance used to be a site where anyone could become educated about Depth Psychology. To transition into a movement means that we must actually embody the concepts, which is another way of using "a different lens." Then, too, a "palpable spirit" suggests that it must spring from within, from the inside-out (not outside-in).
I am reminded of Hillman's daimon and vonFranz's acorn--within each of us is an increasingly insistent call to a more authentic life. I have witnessed this deep longing, particularly in business leaders at mid-life. People look for a coach because the careers they chose so long ago and which used to excite them feel flat and arid. My role is to help them discover what they (now) most care about and reinvent themselves without throwing away the decades of experience they've earned.
I only know one way to go about this kind of overhaul: to create some space for quietude and reflection in which to amplify the tiny voice within that communicates through symbols, signs, and symptoms, and which are expressed in dreams, the gut, one's mood, and experience with the numinous. Bringing all this forth doesn't take a lot of time, but it does require practice in the course of the day and a patient curiosity to follow non-linear breadcrumbs.
For whatever reason, I am called to bring all that I have learned about Depth Psychology in the classroom and books down into my body. I also have a deep knowing that in some unexplained way my own congruence of all my organs of perception will serve as a model for clients who also want to drop from their heads into their bodies.
I have a fantasy that each of us on the board might be models for others--perhaps the 4000+ members and, certainly, within our individual spheres of influence--who are longing for an embodied relationship with Deep Psyche. Talk about congruence!
Jesse, just re-reading your thoughts now. There is so much here, some I resonate with, and some that I do not.
I have a crazy week, but I want to address some things briefly now and will come back to this discussion in a few days:
Here is something that I resonated with: "Depth psychology, in its current rainbow form, is composed of a multitude of parts, is a multitude of things, coming together like Hillman's unstrung pearl necklace. I like to think that this is an advantage, and a huge undertaking, in seeing the parts of working with communities to understand what they see will be of benefit for their wellness. For example, one community might want straight up therapy. Another community might want soul-environmental activism. The permutations of depth psychology in relation with, and as an equal partner with individual communities boggles my mind!" This is certainly true, as perhaps something that is needed and can add value will be different in my rural and conservative community than in a large city/progressive town or country.
I see the word "movement" as more expansive and inclusive to Hillman's idea of "unstrung pearls," than the word "activism" - perhaps because I associate soul more with the former. Also, as we dream forward new images and activities for the DPA, this feels more in rythym with Gaia, the earth, less agressive and smacking of 60's rhetoric. Many people who are interested in depth psychology and change may not join and/or will be turned off with this language.
New stories, languages, the sharing and holding of the opposite images of our collective movement need to emerge. In addition to talking about these ideas, I think it would be great to create ritual(s) that can tap into and open the collective unconscious (active imagination, music/sound, breath, art, etc) - trusting the process, not forcing it to move too quickly, but honoring what we find, keeping at this (perhaps meeting more regularly?).
Personally, I see depth psychology as a vehicle to wake people up, to tap in to and connect with what their calling and purpose is, what their daemon has brought them here at this time for, at this great "turn of the wheel." I see this as vital to both personal and collective health and transformation. I imagine DPA offering classes, groups, information & education that allows individuals the opportunity to have an experience of what soul/psyche is all about. I believe that DPA needs to be broadened to offer these types of events and activities so people can tap into their dreams, images, and callings - even if they are against traditional systems and beliefs and/or don't think of themselves as activists. I have witnessed the transformation in many who connect in this way (unique to each person: introverts who speak up over local land preservation and becoming political; introverts and extremely active people, pull back, go within, and decide to write a book, traditional therapists, social workers, ministers, give up their traditonal modes of employment, venture out in new ways, etc).
Thank you Jesse for keeping us (me!) thinking and feeling about the DPA and emerging and changing directions...Blessings, D
Jesse, hi:
Wow! Great ideas and insights. I especially like your idea that each of us outline our big dream for the DPA, and then perhaps each write related articles for an issue of Depth Insights. This may or may not spark the kind of community interest that we are interested in, but I think it could at the very least spark a lot of positive brainstorming.
My only additional comment is that the movements you cite (Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street) were not movements that anyone ‘created.’ They were movements of a palpable spirit that was already in the process of manifesting. The organizers and leaders simply tapped into an energy that was already building and moving towards expression. I think the craving for real depth, spirit, integrity, and healing is a similar spirit that is also already building and moving towards expression. If we can tap into that, I think we might easily meet all of our goals.
All the best,
James