Craig had hoped to join us for the first meeting, just to share some of what he's working on and to meet the group—though he didn't feel able to continue long term. In the end, he had a conflict last night so he asked me to pass on a couple of observations to you all for what they're worth. I find it interesting that he seems to tap right in to some of the exact expressions and themes that came up for us last night.
Even though he can't be involved on a regular basis, hopefully we can get him to be a guest expert for the group at some point—his work on mythic activism is quite profound and would be really relevant to each of us.
Craig writes:
"A few thoughts about DP as a profession:- I think there’s a huge translation problem between depth practitioners and the public. By and large we are not taught how to communicate with people where they are, without all the jargon. Edward Edinger’s article to the NYT on zealotry and the archetype of the apocalypse remains an outstanding example of how not to go about it. They wouldn’t even print it. My suggestion is to focus on training in how to reach people.- We were also not taught elementary job-promotion skills. How to promote your work, how to hold a press conference, blog, get published, use video, etc. It’s no good to say, “I’m an introvert, I can’t do any of that” unless you want your work to be ignored. We have to be able to answer the question, “Why should people listen to us?” in a grounded and meaningful way.- At the same time we need to remain, culturally, at the edge. Every movement that goes mainstream is absorbed by the mainstream. Real progress happens only when a movement stays at the margins and remains true to its values, and by doing so drags the entire culture in its direction instead of the reverse. This is done by learning how to present ideas and practices to mainstream people while refusing to be co-opted.
Replies
I really believe Jung was on to something when he suggested we work on ourselves before taking action in the world. When that happens, there is a natural inclination, even for the introvert, to want to share one's work with others. Then, speaking from a place beyond ego, mind, we have the ability to connect with anyone where they are utilizing their language. Intuition will provide the means to connect at a soul level in a way that another can understand. I find analogies come with great frequency when I am trying to relay an idea to someone who does not understand DP.
We may not understand the place of our work in the world and in the scheme of its unfolding. I remember a story about a conversation between Jung and a young man as they were parting. Jung looked melancholy and the young man asked him about it. Jung asked why he wasn't understood? The man thought a moment and said, "You know why. You are ahead of your time." I thought it was a profound moment. Those of us at the forefront of bringing dp out of the consulting room and into the world may not be heard. But, we need to have an inner strength that keeps us moving forward anyway. Keep speaking what we know is true. Planting seeds, as I have been told by my guides, and not expecting to always see the results of that. Plant seeds, they said, and let us take care of the rest. Trust that as we follow soul, listening and responding, we are doing what we can.
We need to remain open minded about possibilities. To some degree we want to become mainstream, so that more people live from the soul/Self and not from the ego. This could be a the profound change we seek... I also agree that we cannot cave into the current cultural beliefs.
Bonnie, hi:
Thanks for reproducing Craig's thoughts on Depth Psychology as a vocation. I'm familiar with Edward Edinger argument, and I can imagine why the Times might have been baffled by it, but I've never seen the version that Craig refers to. Does he mention a source where we could read the article?
Thanks,
James
Bonnie, thanks for posting Craig's thoughts here. I concur with everything stated above.
Who are the folk who are listened to, yet remain on the edge? The writers and storytellers.
Craig and I would seem to have some things in common (mythic activism?) but my attempts to connect with him have not borne fruit to date.
I agree with his observations but not wholly with his insight on the "edge." New Mythology and Depth are a long way to falling into the mainstream. I say make all of the heartfelt connections you can now, asap; time is running out.