Monthly Archives: February 2014

The Jung Center – Mumbai, the Kripa Foundation & the USA India Jung Foundation sponsor a presentation by Ashok Bedi, M.D., Dinshah Gagrat M.D & Fr. Joe Pereira

A joint presentation sponsored by the Jung Center – Mumbai, the Kripa Foundation (www.kripafoundation.org ) and the USA India Jung Foundation (www.uijf.org) February 3-4, 2014. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between the three organizations over the last several years to promote exchange of ideas, training of students in the Jungian thought and improve the treatment of individuals in India and USA. The International Association of Analytical Psychology has sponsored the establishment of the IAAP (www.iaap.org) developing Jungian groups in India under the leadership of Jungian psychoanalyst Ashok Bedi, M.D., who is the IAAP’s liaison person in India and travels annually to India to promote its mission for about a decade.   Wednesday, February 26, 2014 The Wounded Healer and Emerging Frontiers in Alcohol and Drug Addictions were very well facilitated by Dr. Ashok Bedi, M.D. and Dr. Dinshah Gagrat, M.D. along with Fr. Joe H Pereira – A Jungian Experience    A very edifying and prolific workshop was organized by The Jung Center Mumbai, The Kripa Foundation and the USA India Jung Foundation on “Emerging Frontiers in Addiction Treatment” on the February 3 and 4, 2014. The two day workshop was facilitated by Ashok Bedi, M.D and Dinshah Gagrat M.D, themes like Crossing the Healing Zone – From Illness to Wellness, Emerging Frontiers in Eating Addictions, The Wounded Healer and Emerging Frontiers in Alcohol and Drug Addictions were very well facilitated by Dr. Ashok Bedi, M.D. and Dr. Dinshah Gagrat, M.D.   The workshop gave a lot of scope to the attendees to talk about their experiences and understanding related with the themes taken up with respect to their direct encounter with the chemically afflicted through sharing, discussion and case presentations. The workshop […]

By |February 26th, 2014|Uncategorized|19 Comments|

Echoes from the Mist of Time –Dungerpur, Rajasthan, India February 18th, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!        By B.J.JakalaDungarpur   The painting tells the story of a time when two enemies encounter their final battle. If you look closely at the lower part of it, you can see Dr. Bedi’s reflection as it was revealed by the glass. He recited the poem/story in his native language and I took this photograph. The story was told to my eyes and ears, both benefiting from history’s reflective lessons.  There are times in life when what we experience a merge of history and the present. Echoes of the past whisper the meaning, if we listen closely.  This was truly a magical moment in this Jungian Encounter with India. BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.  Reflections by Ashok Bedi The archetypes from the mist of times past whispers to us via the symbols of our soul. We get the prescriptions of the soul’s guidance in synchronistic and mysterious ways. Sometimes it is via a chance encounter with a stranger […]

By |February 17th, 2014|Uncategorized|22 Comments|

Whispers of our Ancestors–Dungerpur, Rajasthan, India – February 17, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!        By B.J.Jakala Incarnation of Vishnu,    This morning I was contemplating what it is about India that invites me to her. I was reviewing my photographs and found that a majority of them reflect a spiritual or philosophical foundation. I believe the stories of the images help me see the world of India in a perspective that other places in the world do not offer so freely.    India consistently reflects its ancient roots, holds the present moment in meditation, and guides the inquisitive and just with hope for a better future. BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi. Reflections by Ashok Bedi In India, the past, the present and the future live in simultaneity and tension. Its spiritual and archetypal past informs and instructs the present to align it with its destiny and teleos. When we hold the memory of our myths and culture and the timeless archetypal wisdom they prescribe, we make decisions based on the constellated wisdom […]

By |February 17th, 2014|Uncategorized|13 Comments|

The Tyranny of our Ego – The Blackbuck Lodge, Velavadar, Gujarat, India: February 16, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!        By B.J.Jakala  The Blackbuck National Park road sign   The Blackbuck National Park provides signage to remind the human population the animals were here first. A similar sign might be on the Natural Dream Preserve: Images have the right of way.  In my waking life, my ego attaches to philosophies, laws, ethics, and cultures to help it identify and define itself. The familiar dictates the right of way and the unfamiliar often challenges its boundaries   In my dream life, I have the opportunity of all possibilities: rules of consciousness need not apply in the dream. The dream is a way for my soul to provide images in situations (stories) that instruct the ego about the true destination. BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.Reflections by Ashok Bedi In human consciousness, our outer ego attiute always attempts to claim the right of first passage. However, for optimal physical, mental and spiritual health, we must cultivate a respect for INTERIORITY and a reflective attitude that makes room for the whispers […]

By |February 15th, 2014|Uncategorized|62 Comments|

To conceal or to reveal our Shadow? – Blackbuck Lodge-Veravadar, Gujarat, India February 14th, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!        By B.J.Jakala   Blackbuck stag blending into the habitat    Camouflage provides protection from visual attention. Within my own psyche I have areas that are naturally hidden and those that I need to hide from the world. What a glorious moment, when I trust myself and the world enough to reveal myself to it, and the world supports who I am.    \ Stepping out into the world of community.    Nature has its way of selecting the strong to survive; survival of the fittest. My internal environment is similar. I can engage competing parts within myself. It helps when I remember natural selection within my own psyche-not always pretty or easy–but overall– life affirming.   Striped hyena – a predator –as it naps BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.  Reflections by Ashok Bedi Our ego consciousness has to be authentic yet discerning to balance what is revealed and what must be concealed to be revealed at an appropriate time with adequate preparation. It is the task […]

By |February 13th, 2014|Uncategorized|61 Comments|

Engaging the Reflective life – Blackbuck Lodge-Veravadar, Gujarat, India February 13th, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!        By B.J.Jakala The challenge of encountering a magnificent place (like the picture in the above paragraph) is to keep the balance between the sacred and the mundane. Being in such a beautiful and peaceful setting results in my mind chasing one amazing view, flying or grazing animal after another. I have to consciously hold the moment more mindfully as I encounter it. I can easily get distracted from participating in the moment by witnessing it. The task is to savor rather than devour.   BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.  Reflections by Ashok Bedi A reflective life is one that balances two facets of our consciousness. These are the experiencing consciousness and the observing consciousness. We need to be in the experience of the present moment to be participant in the flow of daily life. Simultaneously, we need to be an observer and a witness to our experience to put in context of flow of our life […]

By |February 13th, 2014|Uncategorized|66 Comments|

The Tapestry of our Consciousness – The Textile Museum: Ahmedabad- Feburary 12th, 2014

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!      By B.J.JakalaBelow is an example of a simple stitch used on a book cover The Calico Museum of Textiles is a treasure of three hundred year old works of textile art. Pieces would often take three years for one person to make. The embroidery adds texture and color to simple fabric; it adds depth and meaning. Each stitch gives dimension and color to an otherwise plain fabric and contributes to the vision of the artist. Perhaps the work of the textile artist parallels life. If we start out as plain fabric and bring life’s experiences in and out, much like the stitch, then the world can see our life in the art of living. The important question: Who is the artist? BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi. Reflections by Ashok Bedi Every life is woven by three artists. Our ego or outer consciousness, our Soul and the timeless flow of the universe- the Brahman. The Brahman […]

By |February 11th, 2014|Uncategorized|11 Comments|

Stepwell into the Mystery of our Psyche – February 11th, 2014 – Rani Ki Vav: the Stepwells of Patan

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!    By B.J.JakalaStepwells Mythological artistry blossoms in the 11th Century in the Stepwells of Patan, a multi-story well that provides hydration and respite.  The stepwell is a valuable example of immersion into art. While performing the function of gathering water, the visitors can engage the surrounding ornamentation of Hindu gods and goddesses. An example of a relief carving in the stepwell wall.  Stepwell ornamentation and function all take place below ground level. There is no visual announcement of the structure in the distance. Once inside, the walls provide the visual nourishment to the soul, as well as, a venue to socialize and rest. With each step down, I am more amazed at the enormity of this project. I am astonished when I consider how much work and talent it took in the 11th Century to complete. There is balance between architecture and art; Each element enhances the other. I experience the parallel between this structure and the unconscious. Once below the surface, there is enormous opportunity for engagement and reflection.  BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the […]

The Alchemist of our times – February 10th, 2014- Gandhi Ashram & a Jain Temple

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!  By B.J.JakalaIndia provides an opportunity as she unlocks the door between inner and outer mystery. Her Hindu mythological platform gives a solid foundation to understanding various aspects of the psyche.     I believe the most important aspect of her mythology is how relational it is. Much like Jung’s concepts of conscious and unconscious, Hindu mythology favors the dynamics. The encounter in India facilitates a blatant relationship between known and unknown, familiar and foreign.  We visited a Jain temple and the Gandhi ashram. It was a perfect pairing of nonviolent ideas. It afforded me to consider how an ancient tradition intersects with modern life of living more fully and purposefully. As Gandhi said, “My message is my life.”    BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Gandhi through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi. Reflections by Ashok Bedi:In every civilization, there comes a time to make a fundamental and profound change. When an individual or a culture is in midst of such a transformative experience, it needs a guide, a guru and alchemist to […]

The Lost Continent of our Soul –February 9th, 2014 – Nalsarowar

Ashok Bedi , M.D. B.J. Jakala, PH.D. From February 7th through 18th, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Mahatma Gandhi through Jungian lens of Analytical Psychology. This experience is sponsored by the New York Jung Foundation. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and a Depth Psychotherapist Dr. Robert J. Jakala will compose a daily blog of their reflections about the experience. Other group participants have been invited to contribute to the blog and may join us from time to time. We are glad to share our experiences and reflections. Enjoy!  By B.J.JakalaNalsarowar is a migratory bird sanctuary outside of Ahmedabad. In the photo below a group of Flamingos reflect the communal and transitory aspects of life   This was the first night of the tour group together/to gather. Our group of participants convened for a meal at a rooftop restaurant–open to the sky. We were served traditional local food while India provided her evening sensory ambiance as an engagement party arrived in spectacular eveningwear. Side by side, our parties celebrated an engagement of different yet similar kind. Each promotes an interior and exterior engagement–to ourselves and to the outer world.  I flew in, much like the migratory birds seeking more than their homeland provides. In a similar way, I feel a need to migrate to be nourished in a foreign yet familiar climate. I hope to engage a deeper India as she engages a deeper me.   Nalsarowar is a migratory bird sanctuary outside of Ahmedabad. In the photo below a group of Flamingos reflect the communal and transitory aspects of life.      This was the first night of the tour group together/to gather. Our group of participants convened for a meal […]