We engaged in a lively discussion today with panel and members on the subject of "What is Depth Psychology?" If we did not arrive at a definitive conclusion, we have certainly begun to redefine what "Depth Psychology" may mean for us in the cataclysmic times in which we find ourselves.
The discussion has begun as we collectively as a group begin to unravel what it means to find "soul" and "meaning' and how to bring it out "to the streets".
There is so much room here for further discussion and conversation; it seems that many of us have been waiting a long time; silenced by the dominant paradigm that has no language for what it means to live from 'depth". Yet, we crave it; we are answering soul's call to re-engage and create community here and now in whatever format it is available to us.
We are in the midst of a Global Renaissance; a rebirth of consciousness. Our old systems are breaking down, dissolving, disintegrating...The new horizons are not yet apparent. We are caught in the betwixt and between, the tension of the opposites and so here we must hang until we can surrender our attachments to what is outworn and tired and no longer sustainable. There is nothing more frightening for humans than to give up our comfort and so we wait until it is ripped away from under us. That is the nature of a Plutonian/Uranian revolution. Pluto as a metaphor for the force of destruction and Uranus as a force of rebirth...
C.G. Jung stated that what we don't bring to consciousness comes to us as fate". These are prophetic words at this time. We are called to awaken and to connect with one another. We cannot proceed alone in a vacuum. The work begins individually in confronting our own inner demons. It is inner work with our own Daimon but now, we many of us are ready to bring it to a collective forum.
A new cycle has begun and the horizon is not yet visible. One thing we are discovering is that this transformational journey on which we find ourselves is both profoundly personal and collective. We must begin to discern where the individual intersects with the collective to make our way forward in consciousness.
I am deeply grateful for this discussion to ALL of you!
Replies
Speaking only from my experience -- I would think the first “test” would be to engage in a Jungian
Analysis. Then one may experience the confrontation with one’s own shadow and, by and by, the (in my estimation) most important lesson, to learn about projection. Unless we get the fact that we must contain our own gorilla circus (Von Franz’s term) and take responsibility of our own psyche, instead of hurling our unconscious material onto others, it is a lose-lose situation, as far as individuation goes. Even mentioning the term “depth psychology” does nothing less than connote the task of delving into our own souls. To share the pitfalls with others on the path; to share, even, the treasures that we are given from this mighty work, and most importantly (as Eva suggests) to keep our selves swimming and not sinking, is what I would hope these dialogues would support.
I actually like the image of the guinea pig. There are numerous animals within the psyche. The trick is to identify one’s own archetypes (guinea pigs) as they continually emerge to test us. That is only one indication of how I would define depth psychology.
After having read the “dyad’ on other threads, I quote Linda: “The Board and this panel discussion is looking for personal views, ideas on how depth can be helpful for individuals, the membership body and the globe - not a dyad between two [in this case.” However, the discussion brought to mind how an intense commitment to individuation, as Jung as our model confirms, can be an adventure in confronting our own inner holocausts—with its centuries of invasive terrors and tortures—which I believe the Red Book in some passages conveys. I would also suggest that if one works with victims of abuse and incest one hears war stories constantly.
The utter unconsciousness of individuals in power coupled with unconscious projections (blaming the other side, for one thing) has created the “split” that Jung forewarned. The only recourse in my estimation, would be a fervent rallying by individuals that are aware the only healing of this split is to heal the split within themselves (another way I would define depth psychology). Only the new man projecting his integrated and whole personality to the outside world can effect change. If the world stays intact, and Jung had his doubts about this at the end of his life, then we may see the beginnings of another world midway through this aeon. This is why I believe we need each other during the present time whereas we have few living models and we are in a wilderness blazing an unknown path and the world is a disaster zone.
Best,
Pamela
Re: student of "depth"
June 27, 2015
Good morning All – I had a great sleep and part of my new retired routine is to check the "Home" page of DPA. Not sure I will be able to keep up with this practice everyday. In 2012, I was looking a virtual community network, where my voice and the “depth “ of what matters to me, at this stage of my life, might be shared from my lovingkindness stance across life [since age 19].
I noticed Aleksandar began an individual post on recent scholarly publications, purchasing details, and true to my nature, form and training [content analysis]; I’m grateful he has posted/shared his scholarly publication success with us. This fact took me back to my beginnings, joining DPA, and I jumped right into the fire, as a willing participant in the Book Club and Jung’s TRB.
Specifically, I recall conversation between Aleksandar and myself and his expressed/shared concerns, at that time [2012] about his paper and whether or not it would be published? He even shared and allowed a few of us, who privately asked for the opportunity to catch a glimpse of his work back then.
Then, I remember him announcing within TRB course discussions that he was considering an experiment. I was not sure what kind of an experiment he was referring to [he remains vague], assumed it was a personal journey, and recall the content being about his intention to “descend” into the darkness by will and choice? Past forward to today, and I am actually toying with the idea that perhaps his “experiment” was a pilot, virtual experimental study design [clinical application], to go along with submission and to apply his research paper’s ideas into the DPA Community [perhaps we are his experiment and he considers us darkness]. In his paper he acknowledges his fascination with Jung. Are we his selected 'Jungian virtual reality lab' [subject matter]?
And now, probably because I experience so much difficult trying to go into Level 5 [choice point] conversation [the deepest level of conversation where personal ethics and morals exist], and I see, just read his response to me this morning in "Utopia," I specifically and directly want to know from Aleksandar or the DPA Board – are we virtual research subjects? If so, and I am participating in someone’s current or future research projects, papers [a virtual test subject]; then, and at a minimum, I want to be informed ahead of time and have opportunity to consent or not > Reasonable in virtual land or not?
After all, I am sharing personal and experientially from across my lifespan, especially the sharing of my “rude awakenings/healing journeys that plummeted me in/out of raw existential angst. And if my story, the sharing of my life experience content, as released into the DPA community is going to be used in anyone’s publication, will I be informed, have opportunity to provide or deny consent if that is even an option in virtual community spaces?
Are these reasonable "virtual reality" questions this morning as we venture down the panel discussion road considering DPA future? I do believe Aleksandar’s publication and the journal source are timely and relevant to our panel discussion, so I did a “cut + paste” content analysis of the index of this journals scholarly works. Right off the bat, the “hive” caught my attention, Bonnie:
Chapter 1
Algorithms versus Hive Minds and the Fate of Democracy (pages 1-14)
Rick Searle
Sample PDF
Chapter 2
We Can Make Anything: Should We? (Pages 15-29)
Chris Bateman
Sample PDF
Chapter 3
Grounding Machine Ethics within the Natural System (pages 30-49)
Jared Gassen, Nak Young Seong
Sample PDF
Chapter 4
The Emergence of Artificial Autonomy: A View from the Foothills of ... (pages 51-72)
Fernando da Costa Cardoso, Luís Moniz Pereira
Sample PDF
Chapter 5
Semantic Analysis of Bloggers Experiences as a Knowledge Source of ... (pages 73-95)
Rafal Rzepka, Kenji Araki
Sample PDF
Chapter 6
Machine Ethics Interfaces: An Ethics of Perception of Nanocognition (pages 97-123)
Melanie Swan
Sample PDF
Chapter 7
Ethical Concerns in Human Enhancement: Advantages in Corporate/Orga... (pages 124-150)
Ben Tran
Sample PDF
Chapter 8
Responsibility and War Machines: Toward a Forward-Looking and Funct... (pages 152-165)
Jai Galliott
Sample PDF
Chapter 9
Ethical Responsibilities of Preserving Academicians in an Age of Me... (pages 166-195)
James E. Willis III, Viktoria Alane Strunk
Sample PDF
Chapter 10
Bridging Two Realms of Machine Ethics (pages 197-224)
Luís Moniz Pereira, Ari Saptawijaya
Sample PDF
Chapter 11
Robots in Warfare and the Occultation of the Existential Nature of ... (pages 225-238)
Rick Searle
Sample PDF
Chapter 12
Self-Referential Complex Systems and Aristotle's Four Causes (pages 239-260)
Aleksandar Malecic
Sample PDF
These are my good morning thoughts of inquiry for today. Peace + Love Linda
Linda, Thank you for raising this question "are we virtual research subjects". It is my opinion that if a person wants to use her or his own experiences without reference to another person or that person's experience as research, they can feel free to do so. However, if a person wants to share my experience or sets up discussions or enters into discussions with the intent to experiment or do research on the discussion group or its members, then they need to follow standard psychological guidelines for the ethical use of subject/participants. That would include informed consent.
I too enter these discussions with the sincere desire to connect on a deep level and to share the pieces of me pertinent to and that I am willing to share in the discussion. A global forum, such as the Alliance, where the possibility of controlling what others do or how they use what they have gleaned in virtual land, is next to impossible, I also find that at times I do not share as deeply as I would like because some parts I hold sacred and want to expose those parts only where they will also be held as sacred.
I would also say that I believe that depth psychology has become enmeshed within cultures and as such it has many dynamics to it; political, religious, economic, health, welfare, safety, and etc. Most of us get to choose which parts of depth psychology we want to encounter and when and that is each persons right. And, as you pointed out in one of your discussions, you have no interest in certain aspects of the depth discussion and I thank you for knowing your boundaries and for being able to articulate those. Many people would shut down and choose not to disengage and I am glad you chose as you did, as I selfishly, find your wisdom and voice to be needed in our discussions.
This is only me. As other board members find time to share they might have insights I do not have.
Jess
Linda, I'm glad that you shared those links, although we don't agree about the nature of violence and coercion in a "better society" and whether or not the ability to talk instead of the ability to do within it (an enormous issue) makes it better. Our opinions aren't random - the same society that has provided your home has destroyed mine.
Pamela Preston has been "experimenting" since I was a child and there were probably many "guinea pigs", i.e. people she interacted with. That chapter isn't a part of any intentional research. I've submitted another similar article that will (probably not - I submitted it months ago) be either published in a journal or self-published on the Web. Anything else similar that will or won't be written depends on demand from other people. The rest of potential "experimental results" belongs to experience and I have no idea how to ask for permission to have an experience.
Hello Eva,
I wrote the following introduction to a book published in 1993. At the time I was ensconced in the importance of birthing the Feminine (Soul). All these years later it seems evident to me that the only solution is to mine one’s personal depths which entails finding one’s personal story and connection to one’s inner truth. If we can suffer this through, then our very beings will project outwardly and create a new world image. However, the work of depth psychology (which in my estimation is the same as before and now and ever shal be) requires a conscious suffering of all that no longer serves. That suffering is a prerequisite for depth psychology and few take the road. I just read last night Jung’s words: “If I ask the value of my life, I can only measure myself against the centuries and then I must say, “Yes it means something. Measured by the ideas of today, it means nothing….In each aeon there are at least a few individuals who understand what man’s real task consist of…first the way of a few will be changed and in a few generations there will be more…”
I hope there will be “more.”
Yes, Eva, this is a cataclysmic time, be also in other centuries. Now, however, more than ever, we are urged to engage in our own depths, which for me means to sometimes endure the agonizing death of the old inner structures so the new can come in. “Bringing it to the streets?” Well, all we need to do is live/BE the reality of our personal transformation.
Introduction
(1993)
When I speak of the soul, I speak of the psyche, that place of humanity’s cellular imprint—with its myths, legends, and emotional memories hidden in the dark of the unconscious where we all sleep. And I speak of the birth of this soul as it awakens in the forms of dreams, visions and insights leading us to a new exploration. On these pages is the beginning of my soul exploration to the unknown lands within myself. It is also the story of being led to the forests, lakes and valleys of the Pyrenees where the Matriarchy once flourished. These countries, both inner and outer, are the goddesslands.
I am an ordinary American woman who lives in a world experiencing the loss of its rituals and structures. I have felt the breakdown of this world within myself. I have allowed the shattering of my old structures in the faith that something new would emerge. And something has: a new destiny, as if woven by the dreams of all of us who have made the conscious decision to begin sacrificing what we have known in order to embark on the adventure to something not known. Destinies calling us home - down to our bodies and down to the earth.
I hope others may identify with parts of what I have written and be encouraged to continue their individual explorations. For, as we discover our personal soul stories, so we will connect into the fabric of the larger story. As each of us shares our experiences, so will we gain the strengthening power that will forge our New World.
If we as individuals can find our own inner "altars in the woods," experiment with rituals unique to each of us, and share these rituals in the containment of a new and evolving awareness, we will then someday step into a new temple together as whole human beings. We will be able to look back at the old life and say that we survived the change—in our bodies, on our earth, and with the songs of our souls.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your words here, as true today as when you penned them in 1993. I especially love "If we are individuals can find our own inner "altar in the woods," - the connection of Psyche, of soul, with Earth herself and the need for engagement with her via ritual and the tools of soul.
Dear Pamela,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on depth psychology and bringing it out into the streets. I enjoyed your "1993" introduction particularly because I so resonate with so much you share here.
I think for me, Depth psychology has always been about "soul". Psyche, that elusive winged creature after all does translate to "soul". In that case, we are embarking on bringing "Soul" back into the streets and whether or not now is the time for this delicious and precarious adventure, we (those of us here together in this time and place..seem to have no other choice). It the task that has been given to us by virtue of having been born into this cataclysmic era of history. Indeed, there have been many times in history that have seen and endured horrors equal to those we now find at our doorstep. However, none in recorded history have brought us to the edge of extinction. Perhaps, we have arrived at this point in history because if our eyes are opened, we see all too clearly the responsibility that we have inherited for the plant and animal kingdoms with whom we share our earth.
I am reminded as you remind us of our inner "altars in the woods". The places where we create ritual when we bring our dreams, our visions, our images back into this world. In ritual space, we rediscover not only the remnants of our childhood games but the possible future we can create. It is a solitary space inhabited by soul and imagination and the invisible spirit and it is sometimes a shared space that we co-create together as we do here.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts and ideas - old and new; they are all fuel for what emerges from here.
How does a student pass an exam in depth psychology?
"Dear students, today's lesson will be painful."
Good morning Eva - thank you for sharing, so totally right on point with discerning "the individual intersects with collective." the story I shared of a moment of Leo Buscaglia [Dr. Love - 1A] life fits in here too: so many threads, so many places to share our whispers...us girls today, unlike the Hebrew women in Genesis and "The Red Tent" truth/fiction story that came out about them...have you read that book? We may not be literally "weaving" wool but weaving we are doing...have a great day. Peace + Love Linda
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next