And Tuesday began the adventure into Ginette Paris’ wonderful class on Post-Jungian & Archetypal theories! I’m just going to give a quick run down of some highlights from yesterday.
We started the morning with this bit of wisdom from her lecture: We always see reality through a frame. Human language is full of metaphors – you just have to catch them.
We discussed how we personify objects. Oh yeah! I’ve named all my electronic devices, and while my car herself doesn’t have a name, she has always definitely been a “she.” We discussed what computers mean to different groups. For children, it’s a friend; for men, a toy; for women, a tool.
As we discussed symbols, Ginette revealed: “The person is the most complex symbol.”
We discussed Lady Liberty, a powerful symbol throughout the world and our most powerful symbol in the U.S. Liberty is a concept. Lady Liberty is an archetype. I kept thinking of the first (only) time I saw the statue of Liberty and was moved to tears. Powerful indeed. And I just feel compelled to mention our dog is named Liberty!
We discussed Greek Myth as more of a psychology than a religion. It is deeply rooted in images, and that’s what Hillman wants to bring us back to. (We discussed James Hillman’s work all day).
We discussed cinema! Ginette deemed it our main myth maker. It doesn’t need a text to refer us to because we feel it. She said if it’s a bad movie it won’t change the myth because it’s not moving. She brought up Avatar and how it was bringing us back to nature, revisiting the god and goddess myth. A student added that it was a film people wanted. Ginette commented that the artists know what the community needs.
We talked about a book called The History of Economy. The idea there is that the economy only works when the feminine idea of saving and the masculine idea of risk taking is in balance. Right now, Wall Street is an adolescent area, filled with game playing. Where is the Wise Old Man figure?
We talked about an important image to Jung: that of the ocean as depth psychology. Like the ocean, depth psychology has abysmal depth and it can be mapped. You go into this ocean in analysis, and the analyst is the one on the ship holding onto your cable, ready to bring you back up.
We did an exercise in active imagination to find our anima/animus. Though my animus did not come to me at this time, I had an a-ha moment later in lecture where I discovered him. As students shared what they discovered in themselves, Ginette said that whenever you’re surprised by an image from the psyche, that means it’s genuine and not an ego image. If it’s not surprising, it’s probably the ego speaking.
We talked about Jung’s theory on love. Basically, you fall in love with a person who is your inner anima/animus. It’s really your projection. The real love then begins when start picking up your projections.
We talked about pathology. Really, we’re all a bit neurotic. Ginette said that many think of therapy as an investment, but she sees it as an adventure. Ultimately, psychological problems are part of our humanity, but they eventually become our wisdom.
Ginette talked a bit about her newest book and heart break and gave this wisdom: “You cannot be heroic with a heart break. You can only be wise about it.”
We talked about the treatment fantasy, where we think we can fix ours or others problems. But when you’re being medical with something that’s not medical, you’re harming the soul. Soul problems can’t be fixed like broken bones. We need to serve the soul, to let it lead, as Hillman directs.
Those are the highlights! It was a great day. Hope you enjoyed these tidbit and it doesn’t read too awkwardly. I’m not proofreading, as it’s now time for breakfast!!