Greetings. I am already touched by all of the other introductions, the amazing things everyone is doing, and the geographic diversity. I am happy to be a part of it. I divide my time between Seattle and Port Townsend, WA but think of the latter as "home." For 10 years I co-owned a sculptural and architectural metal business called Nimba Forge & Anvils in Port Townsend. Today, I love two husbands (one dead and one living) and two step-daughters very, very much. I first started trying to understand the writings of Jung in early 2010, after a dream really changed my relationship to myself. I participate in a dream group and two reading groups with other people in PT who are drawn to depth psychology. When I joined my current family in Seattle in summer 2011, I became more aware of and interested in my personal responsibilities in terms of carbon policies in the US. It was my first experience ever in political activism, and I found it very uncomfortable. I collected signatures for 350.org against Keystone, joined Climate Citizens Lobby, and participated in the beginnings of an effort to put a carbon tax on the ballot in WA. I felt such a longing for the perspective of depth psychology to inform my attempts at political activism. I am not a natural activist and I tend to have more hope in the change that comes from inner life. But by 2013, it just felt impossible to sit on the sidelines anymore. I do not have much formal education, but I am in the process of trying to understand the ideas and discoveries of Jung and others as guidance for how I too can be in more conscious relationship with the archetypes. I do not know many of the world myths, but I am hungry for that now. I am also very, very interested in archetypal astrology and the writings of Richard Tarnas.
I really want to thank Craig and Bonnie for doing this. And the DPA for so much. I am trying to find ways to learn and be part of community without major carbon footprint. I used way more than my share in my past life running a forge. DPA has been such a wonderful resource and has exposed me to so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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You're an inspiration, Willene. I live in a community that was once industrial and farming. The industry has now died, and the agriculture has been taken over by the big agchem companies and their GMOs. I am trying to raise consciousness without alienating my neighbours. Like you, I'm so grateful to Craig and Bonnie for showing the way!
Hi Willene. I'm so glad you're with us and it was a pleasure to hear you on the call expressing appreciation for the little community we have convened here with the course. I, too, feel very connected to others who feel called to be a part of it at this moment in time. We all have our different reasons, but somehow, synchronicity has brought us together in this way in spite of our different backgrounds and activities in life. I admire your efforts at activism, and can relate to feeling it doesn't come naturally as I'm quite introverted myself—yet another reason I welcome Craig's knowledge in aiding us all to be "active" in ways that are do-able for each of us. Looking forward to getting to know you better here.