Comments

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  Ed Koffenberger November 20, 2010 at 6:14pm

  I studied Biblical Greek and Hebrew and could be of some assistance if you ever need it again. Dead languages seem to be my past, add Latin. Wonderful synchronicity between you and the student. Having been a teacher I can approximate your excitement in that moment. I'll check out your thesis - sounds fascinating.
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  Catherine Alvarez, PhD November 20, 2010 at 11:24am

  Interesting about the Catholic High School. I respect that they have been integrating World Religions into the curriculum. I'm assuming Vatican II had a lot to do with that, but you should be able to answer that question I would think. Cool that you could use the same text at the time, though I'd imagine you'd use something different today. Yes, neat how we see the Jungian patterns. I brought my Hebrew-Greek Study bible to class last Monday & one of my best students came to take a look at it after class. He said there was a scripture he wanted to look into in the alternative language to try to get a deeper context and clarity. Coincidentally? I had highlighted the exact same scripture in the text, having had similar questions about the passage years ago. Is that exciting or what? Of course, the word Synchronicity popped out of my mouth right away. Years ago when I went down that path, I did not have the consciousness to know, a future student would do the exact same thing when I shared the study bible with him. Well, I guess you'd have to be there to share the excitement, but I'm sure you can relate. Those synchronistic moments are beyond exciting, when we see past, present and future come together as one, and of course this student jotted down the ISBN, and is ordering his own copy. Peace
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  Catherine Alvarez, PhD November 20, 2010 at 11:09am

  Oops Ed, I just realized that I neglected to answer another question you had asked me, about my thesis title. I didn't write a thesis for my MA, as we took comprehensive exams instead, but the dissertation title is as follows: Desire and Longing as a Manifestation of Spiritual Yearning. Believe it or not, the abstract can still be accessed online (from the defense almost a year ago) on the following website. That would be the best explanation of the material, generally speaking: http://www.pacifica.edu/innercontent-m.aspx?id=4094
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  Ed Koffenberger November 20, 2010 at 11:00am

  It was a World Religions class at a Catholic High School. I used the same text that was used in my college work. Although I was a newbie to Jungian thought back then, I recognized the many images and archetypal energies shared across religions. Wish I could be teaching it now (except for the paper grading). I have not seen the DVD you mentioned so now I have another excuse to go to Amazon.com. Thanks - I think. I was also a practicing Buddhist for several years - more academic/therapeutic in approach (more Hinayana than Theravada or Tantric).
  As to dance, it seems we have a growing number of dancers and body workers in our group, maybe Psyche is leading us toward this particular pathway. (?)
  I always loved those stories where persons seemingly disconnected from each other eventually find themselves all in the same place at the same time for some numinous reason.
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  Catherine Alvarez, PhD November 20, 2010 at 8:45am

  I am really busy, but will have more freedom of time when the semester is over in 2 weeks. Because it is my first time teaching World Religions, I have to write the lectures, prior to each class, and everything is from scratch; challenging, yet rewarding at the same time. Next term will be so much easier. I even closed my Facebook page down! Would never have gotten through the semester if I had not, so the main point is, I have had to tone down the online conversation for a time. That said, thanks for your patience Ed. So interesting that you have taught something similar...what was it exactly, and where did you teach? Yes, you know I will integrate mythological and depth psychological expertise, as the opportunities present themselves. I'm using the standard Many People, Many Faiths and then the Huston DVD interviews with Moyers for Reflection/Essay papers (part of their Gordon rule requirement) along with a Research Paper (midterm) and Religious Visit/Experience paper, at the end. Of course, my materials will be subject to change over the coming years, and I am excited about the possibilities. I also find your dialogue on dance interesting, since I am a former professional dancer and teacher in that regard (have choreographed Sacred Dance for Worship) at a local church in the past, and hope to introduce this topic into my academic teaching at a later date. Wouldn't it be cool to see this topic integrated into the Pacifica curriculum, on a scholarly level sometime in the future? The future has exciting possibilities in store. I will be able to participate more in dialogue, in a couple weeks or so. I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday! All the Best
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  Ed Koffenberger November 20, 2010 at 7:39am

  Thanks, Jeanne. The closer you get to performance, shoot us more details for those who might like to support and/or show up for the event.
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  Jeanne M. Schul November 20, 2010 at 7:31am

  My first two months of 2011 will be comsumed with our annual dance concert, which opens the first weekend in March. After that, I have more freedom to focus my attention elsewhere.
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  Ed Koffenberger November 20, 2010 at 7:16am

  Sounds like Gabriela wins the first gathering - though "wins" might be a bit optimistic at this stage. 
  Gabriela, when might we all gather at your place? Time to start getting all our calendars out/or on-line. If everyone can send me the dates they might be free during the first 9 months of next year, I’ll put together a calendar. I know there is a way to share a Google calendar and will look into setting that up. By the way, I am fully aware that in our world today it’s hard enough to get an RSVP to a party in the neighborhood so please know that whatever dates you give me will NOT be placed upon a legal document suitable for court appearance. 
  One thought, can everyone start looking for Jungian associations in their state? Jeanne shared that there is one in Atlanta, GA and we just got Bonnie’s twitter that there is one in Asheville, NC. There is no need to reinvent the wheel as we begin our conversations of who we are and want to be.
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  Jeanne M. Schul November 18, 2010 at 1:07pm

  This sounds amazing, Gabriela! Certainly much more accomodating that my home. I vote for it!
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  Gabriela Luschei November 18, 2010 at 12:39pm

  Actually, Ed, I do have a place that can accommodate lots of visitors. Eight years ago, my husband and I bought a home on conservation lands in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (still culturally part of the South, but located in the mid-Atlantic region) that had been built by a very large family who also liked to host retreats and other large gatherings. We completely refurbished it and actually added on, and we have been hosting retreats ever since. (Periodically, I might add, and only for very special friends.) My daughter thinks it's totally normal to accompany her dad for the weekend to a local resort town so that I can gather groups together for whatever occasion. They love it, as this is their only dedicated "Daddy and daughter" time, and I love it because it gives me an occasional break from full-time parenting!