Monthly Archives: February 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]