This lecture will discuss the importance of the constellation of the feminine forms of divinity in our time and their importance in our chaotic world. References for this lecture are Whitmont’s Return of the Goddess and Bolen’s Goddesses in Every Woman. In this lecture I hope to show that the Catholic and Protestant complexes about and around Mary are, in essence, a problem of the patriarchal form of Christianity which fears the feminine dimension of religious experience.
Season: Spring 1989
The Shadow of Organized Religions
Throughout the centuries what Jung has called “the religious function” in humankind has been either nurtured or warped by religious institutions. We can see two extremes of this nurturing-or-warping effect in our own time by a comparison of the work and words of, for example, a Mother Theresa versus an Ayatollah Khomeini.
Centering his lecture on the experience rendered in the film, “The Hmong Shaman in America”, Dr. Lavin will discuss the warping effect-those neurotic attitudes and behaviors which can result from a maladaptive and collective approach to the religious function in all of us. Particular attention will be given to Jung’s theory of typology in understanding how the institutionalization of the religious function can lead a person to behave in an unbalanced way.
For many, religions can be a path to health and wholeness; but for some persons religion can become an internalized living hell.
An Evening With Robert Bly
During the evening Robert Bly will recite new poems of his own, as well as by Rilke and Rumi, accompanied by Greek lute.
Relationship Between Men and Women as Seen by William Blake
The shocks in the Industrial Revolution, the rise of corporate life and the call of women into the workforce, the weakening of the Inner King and Inner Queen have all left their mark in the relationships between men and women. Where are we now? Blake’s genius discerned powerful zones within the psyche that affect men and women and in this day we will look at his poems, ideas and paintings with a view to what they say that is helpful and relevant now. Bring questions and stories.
The Collective Unconscious: Myth or Scientific Hypothesis?
This lecture will focus upon the contemporary relevance of Jung’s archetypal hypothesis, including its links with ethology and sociobiology as well as mythology and psychiatry. Based on Dr. Steven’s book, Archetypes: A Natural History of the Self, this lecture received an enthusiastic ovation when given for the first time at a convocation at Willamette University last November.
C.G. Jung: The Man and His Psychology
This lecture will examine how Jungian Psychology evolved out of the psychology of Jung, beginning with his family life and early dreams. The implications of his solitary childhood will be reviewed in our understanding of the psychology of childhood and adolescence. What is the contemporary relevance of insights into anima and animus projection and the quest for soulmate considered in light of Jung’s experience of marriage to Emma Jung and his relationship with Toni Wolff?
C.G. Jung: The Man and His Psychology
By creative use of his introspective genius, Jung, the individual man, turn his attention inwards in a courageous attempt to find the universal man lurking in the dark recesses of his own soul. To what extent does he succeed? And how far should we expect to follow his example?
In this seminar we shall consider the common criticisms of Jungian Psychology: that it is too inner-directed to be appropriate to life in the modern world; that it places too much emphasis on archetypal psychology and mythology and too little on the problems of interpersonal relationships and social adjustment; that it is elitist in its view of the goals of the second half of life; and that, as a method of treatment, Analytical Psychology is essentially mystical, encumbered with an outdated religiosity, which fits ill with a discipline designed to treat the problems of modern men and women. How justified are these criticisms and how should we respond to them?
It will be assumed that participants will at least have read Memories, Dreams and Reflections, and Two Essays on Analytical Psychology (Volume 7 of the Collected Works).
Anima Mundi: The Soul in the World
This slide lecture shows the feelings and images of psyche outside, a depth psychology of nature and extraversion; the return of soul to the world from the narcissism of self-enclosed, self preoccupied journeys to the interior.
Anima: Images of Mood and Desire
A slide show/workshop/discussion of Anima feelings, moods, erotics, interiors, and spontaneous displays of psychic life-freed of conceptual jargon and explanations.
Dr. Hillman has presented this material (mainly paintings of the 19th and 20th centuries) in many places from men’s groups in the woods, to a Medici palace in Florence, to theatrer companies in France. The intent is to move Anima from a theoretical notion that is gender determined to a palpable reality of beauty for everyone.
Witchcraft and Witchcraft Beliefs
The power of witchcraft beliefs and the consequences of these will be illuminated by extracts from court proceedings and vignettes from cases charged with murder.
The universality and archetypal mixture of witchcraft beliefs as it operates in the human psyche will be discussed and demonstrated by clinical cases who are sufficiently disturbed to be admitted to mental hospitals. The difficulty in distinguishing between what is pathological and what is culturally acceptable will be explored.
Portland Jungians Performance Through Art, Poetry, Dance, Mime and Music: Playing in the Dark: The Shadows in Our Lives
This revue-style event features the talents of Jungians in the Portland area expressing some of their experiences of the Shadow through art, poetry, drama, dance, mime, and music. Moving in circles through the humorous to the tragic, we pay artistic tribute to one of Jung’s most significant assertions-that the Shadow, which embodies the entire range of archetypes, is a daily part of our lives. Unrecognized, it is the source of our misery and destructiveness. Acknowledged, it becomes our daemon, guiding us to new creativity and understanding as we grapple with the richness and frustration of our inherently contradictory natures.
Light-hearted Evening and Annual Meeting: Potluck Dinner Gathering and Presentation: “In Search of Wholeness”
Bring your favorite dish to serve 6-8 and your own table service. Coffee and tea will be provided.
Highlight of the evening will be the presentation of slides of paintings by Barbara Hannah and a sketch of her life, given by Joan Blackmer, one of her analysands, a former dancer and now Jungian Analyst in New Hampshire and Concord, Massachusetts. Joan Blackmer is the daughter of one of our former members, Jeanette P. Reed. While here Joan will do body work with any of our members who is interested-either individually or in a group.
Film Seminar Weekend: The Way of the Dream – Day 1
This unique program presents “The Way of the Dream”, a series of 20 half-hour films, within the framework of a two-day film seminar. It combines dream interpretations on film by Marie-Louise von Franz, the world’s foremost authority on analytical psychology, with audience discussions led by facilitators.
Following the format of the film series, the seminar first introduces participants to the basic psychology of C.G. Jung, explains Jung’s concept of dream interpretation and examines the historical significance of dreams in our culture. It then moves on to an extensive analysis of the dreams of men and of women. In the concluding sessions, Dr. von Franz addresses the problems of human relationships in our changing world and explores the puzzling question, “Who makes up our dreams?”
Film Seminar Weekend: The Way of the Dream – Day 2
This unique program presents “The Way of the Dream”, a series of 20 half-hour films, within the framework of a two-day film seminar. It combines dream interpretations on film by Marie-Louise von Franz, the world’s foremost authority on analytical psychology, with audience discussions led by facilitators.
Following the format of the film series, the seminar first introduces participants to the basic psychology of C.G. Jung, explains Jung’s concept of dream interpretation and examines the historical significance of dreams in our culture. It then moves on to an extensive analysis of the dreams of men and of women. In the concluding sessions, Dr. von Franz addresses the problems of human relationships in our changing world and explores the puzzling question, “Who makes up our dreams?”