Comments

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  Tamara Long April 22, 2011 at 2:57pm

  Glad you joined the group.  I liked the video too.  I can relate with the ruthlessness of his unconscious.  Don't know if you are familiar with the enneagram, but I'm a 1. We're known for the relentless inner judge. (Not that I think Jung was a 1).  In the Red Book, Jung talks a lot about his competing drives- the one to immerse himself in studies and the other to open himself to his soul which cares nothing for books and words. I get so much out of his insights into this because its so much easier to read and learn from books than it is to do the deeper, subtle work of soul.  Then I have to be careful not to berate myself for this!
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  Loretta Libby Atkins April 22, 2011 at 12:10pm

  Loved Ms. Holt's video on Jung - especially how his unconscious was so ruthless with his perceived sense of himself - his I - it's an arduous journey and not for the faint of heart.
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  Tamara Long April 1, 2011 at 11:52am

  Coming to the end of week one, I hope some of you will share responses to the first 10 pages of the Red Book. Thought I'd share a short quote from each chapter in the hopes of inciting some conversation.

   

  “The spirit of the time would like to hear of use and value . . . but I did not consider that the spirit of the depths possesses a greater power . . . ”

   

  “It is wise to nourish the soul, otherwise you will breed dragons and devils in your heart.”

   

  “Dreams are guiding words of the soul.”

   

  “If you marry the ordered to the chaos, you produce the divine child, the supreme meaning beyond meaning and meaninglessness.”

   

  “No culture of the mind is enough to make a garden out of your soul.”

   

  “Should everything fall into your lap ripe and finished?”

   

  “Depths and surface should mix so that new life can develop.”

   

   
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  Tamara Long March 29, 2011 at 7:14pm

  A couple nights ago, I dreamed I was a crippled woman in a hospital bed telling my roommate about the time I won a swimming race. I wrote of the dream in my journal feeling anxious and uneasy, wondering what my crippled body in the dream might be calling my attention to. Later that day, I read in Red Book (231) “Be patient with the crippledness of the world and do not overvalue its consummate beauty.” This bit of advice helped me explore the dream image in a different state of mind. Wondering if anyone else has had a dream they'd like to share while reading Red Book . . .  
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  Tamara Long March 28, 2011 at 9:10am

  Several members have expressed interest in getting involved but aren't sure where to start.  An easy way to get the ball rolling is simply to choose and post a quote from the first few pages of the Red Book.  Maybe write a line or two about how it applies to your life.  I'd love to get thoughts bouncing about how this material is effecting us personally.  Any thoughts are warmly welcomed!
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  Dorene Mahoney March 27, 2011 at 7:57pm

  Tamara, I'm thrilled that you've started this group. The Red Book is so rich with insight, that it's a bit overwhelming to tackle by oneself. Thank you for facilitating this topic!
  
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  Tamara Long March 27, 2011 at 11:58am

  Bonnie,

   

  I'm honored you've joined the group!  I think the Red Book conversation is, indeed, an important and extremely valuable one right now.  I'm excited about embarking on a group exploration and am hoping others will agree and join in!
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  Tamara Long March 27, 2011 at 10:10am

  In the first chapter of "The Way of What is to Come" Jung talks about the spirit of the depths and the spirit of the times.  He says, "The spirit of the time would like to hear of use and value" (229), then on 230, "I had to swallow as a means of healing the immortal in me . . . the pliers of the spirit of the depths held me, and I had to drink the bitterest of draughts."  -------------
  

  I know that I often catch myself deferring to "the spirit of the times" as my justification to avoid swallowing “the bitterest of all draughts”. This spirit lets me spin off into thoughts and theories and avoid what might be needed for true healing. Jung's open admission of his own deep inner contradictions bolsters my strength to face my own depths, even when distasteful.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on the spirit of the depths and the spirit of the times or whatever else grabs you in the first chapter or two of the Red Book.
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  Bonnie Bright March 26, 2011 at 6:16pm

  Thanks Tamara. I've been wishing for a good focused Red Book group here in the community with a passionate leader and I'm sorry it's taken me a few days to catch up to you and finalize your proposal. And--nothing is a coincidence. The topic just started coming up yesterday very strongly in the Jung in the South group so clearly something is being asked of us here. I hope the discussion continues in the Jung in the South groups and that we will all get as much Red Book as we can handle! Looking forward to it all.