Lecture: Humanity’s most primal fear is the fear of death. The desire to escape physical death is a fundamental fact of human existence. Recent technological advancements in medicine and robotics have made the ability to live forever a much more tantalizing possibility. In this lecture and workshop, we will explore the meaning of this primal fear and fundamental yearning, using humanity’s oldest story, The Epic of Gilgamesh, as our guide. This story from ancient Iraq tells of the exploits of mighty King Gilgamesh whose fear of physical death compelled him to seek out a legendary figure considered to be the only human granted immortality by the gods. Gilgamesh’s exploits reflect enduring truths about our fears and desires and suggest how we can better prepare for life’s ultimate goal. During the Friday lecture, we will discuss the contemporary search for immortality and sketch the elements of the Gilgamesh story. On Saturday, we will use lecture and discussion to explore the roots of our own yearning for immortality with the Gilgamesh story as a valuable guide.
Jim Kline, Ph.D., is a graduate of Saybrook University’s Jungian Studies Specialization Program, which is affiliated with the Jung Center of Houston. He has published articles on zombies, the cult of Orpheus, and archetypal elements in silent film comedy. He currently teaches for Pacifica Graduate Institute in its Engaged Humanities and the Creative Life Program. Most recently, he served as Chair of the Languages and Humanities Department of Northern Marianas College.
A Luminous Darkness: 
Lecture: In lecture and workshop we will explore how each one of us can contribute to healing the anima mundi, the soul of the world. After the trauma of World War II and the genocide of the Holocaust, C.G. Jung asked, “Is it really only brute force that decides everything?” Over the past seven years I have learned from individuals and communities who are suffering the posttraumatic consequences of war and violence in eastern Congo, northern Uganda, South Sudan, and western Kenya. In essence, I invite us to explore and appreciate how, in a rapidly changing world, paying attention to innate capacities, such as what Jung calls the transcendent function, does make a difference. The mythopoetic layers of the psyche and creative activities of the arts function as agents of transformation by overcoming stuckness and pressures to conform. A summons to “purposeful action” can help transcend personal and cultural layers of reference and rekindle the struggle of giving birth to one’s future. In a globally traumatized world, taking a stand and modeling principled humane behavior through listening with the heart opens paths to building community and creating future.