Monthly Archives: January 2015

The Butterfly and the Flower – India January 20, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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. Today is our last day on this journey as a group – so this will be last blog in this series.
Enjoy!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

 Each morning the fisherman stands in reflection and casts his net into the lake.  The harvest brings him food to sustain his life.Sometimes, when I wake I the morning, I cast my net back into the world of my dreams. There are times when it is empty:  The dreams elude my net.  Like the fisherman, it is important to know those that got away are still in the source.  Perhaps someday they will come into the net of my conscious life.  Then there are times when I retrieve nurturing images to give me a more informed life.  I must always remember the source is vast and I only catch what I can digest and what truly feeds my soul.It is time to leave the flower of India. I am the butterfly who I does not carry the flower, but only the nectar of life.Thank you India for […]

By |January 20th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

The Unspoken Word – India January 19, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

 
Kathakali is a 17th Century highly stylized dance-drama of Kerala.  The dancers require about three hours to prepare their make-up and costumes for the performance.  The actors never speak but use hand gestures, facial expressions, and dance to tell the story. Prior to the actual performance, the lead dancer demonstrated a variety of movements to help the audience interpret the story as it was being danced. Traditionally Kathakali can last from dark until morning, although we were given a glimpse of it for about an hour.When the performance was over, I noticed how my world had been transformed. I felt as though I was in between reality and imagination. It was much like a dream state that fuses reality, history, and potential of all possibilities. Something preverbal was awakened: the world was only images and feelings; the world did not need words to be experienced.  The dance of life is alive in me.  I value language so much that it often takes priority in my mind.  […]

By |January 19th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

The Inner Temple – India: January 18, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

 
 This amazing temple is dedicated to Sundareshvara (Shiva) and his consort Meenakshi (Parvati).
There are four main towers, each constructed on a base of granite as the foundation for the stucco figures of deities, and semi-divine entities painted in vivid colors. There are 3,646 figures on these outer tower landmarks. Inside the temples are carved granite pillars that provide the base structure as well as artistic representations of Hinduism. The complex gives new dimensions to the word “spectacular.” It is hard to imagine the amount of labor it took to construct such a site. The towers are maintained by repainting every twelve years.

 When I walked inside the temples, I found a deeper place inside me: My own inner sancto sanctorum; a place of peace and a feeling of velvet stillness. It is that place where there is nothing to be done. There is no desire to be more or less than I am. I can just be in the […]

By |January 17th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

New Beginnings – India January 17, 2014

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

An 11th century bronze sculpture of Ganesha is the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles.

 
 
 It is a wonderful example of Chola artistry held in Tanjore, India. The 14th century poet, Avaiyar, expressed Ganesha’s role in the world when she wrote, “He has weeded out all difficulty and shown the path of grace.”Days of celebration of Pongal, the new year, are evident as we travel through the cities and villages of South India.  Hope and the freedom to move towards a more improved world are written on everyone’s face as they wish a Happy Pongal. The energy of potential is palpable.Ganesha reminds me of the importance of consciousness as I listen deeply to what is and yet to come within me.  I must remain aware of the path and those obstacles that I encounter along the way.  They will take effort to remove; effort that I cannot do by myself.  I need help to stay on the path and manifest/reveal more of who […]

By |January 17th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

A Reflective Life – India: January 16, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala
We had an extraordinary experience being granted permission to watch one of the local priests perform a morning ritual honoring this goddess.  It is a daily labor of love.I often start my day with coffee, shower, daily planner and to do lists.  How much different it would be to establish a morning ritual that bathed and honored the qualities I value within myself. I would to face the day with more consciously cherished and acknowledged resources.  I would  then give gratitude for what they offer in my life. I need to remember to anchor who I already am and not just be on the path of becoming more. Ancient traditions have helped me see ways of being more present 
BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.

 Reflections by Ashok Bedi, M.D.
Much of our life must be lived in managing our outer life and concerns about survival and responsibilities. This is the task […]

By |January 15th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

It is about Service – India: January 15, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala
The giant deity cart on the streets of Chitabaram, just outside the Natraja Temple,is in preparation for a parade during Pongal.  The deities are moved out of the temples and into procession so the gods can see the community and the community can view-honor them.This practice of procession encourages me to examine what I hold sacred, where I house it within me, and how do I bring it out into the world. I notice the value of revealing and concealing with discrimination.  The deities are brought out when the community has been prepared. The sacred within me is revealed when I trust the world around me, when I have prepared it for what is held close to my heart.  BJ Jakala, PhD is a participant in this year’s Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungians Lens led by Dr. Bedi.

 Reflections by Ashok Bedi, M.D.
Many individuals devote some or often considerable time to do the inner work. They go to retreats, Yoga, Church, therapists, analysts, […]

By |January 14th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

The Roots – India: January 14, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

We drove to Auroville (City of Dawn) to visit the Matrimandir (Sanskrit for Temple of The Mother) a giant metallic sphere for practioners of Integral Yoga.  The experimental township is set in the countryside of Tamil Nadu, India. The enormous Banyan Tree, pictured above, grows in Auroville.This tree provides a valuable life lesson.  It’s trunk it well planted and its branches extend outward from the core.  As they reach out into the world they send down roots to support and nurture their life.  The entire tree looks like a forest rather than a single tree.My life reaches out in many directions much like that tree. It requires support and nutrition from the central source as well as being planted in the present. I benefit when I am grounded by what has been as well as being grounded in the moment. I can extend who I am when I have proper support. I can reach into the future me as I am being held by who […]

By |January 13th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

Life is a Stage – We are all actors: January 13, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi, M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

Our tour guide, Jairaj, explains one of the gigantic carvings to honor Shiva.  These reliefs in granite were completed around 640-670 CE in Mahabalipuram.I am humbled by how the ancient artists made these lasting deep impressions. There are no written records explaining the accomplishment, only the carvings. I find myself wanting to know how many artists it took, how long it took, and what was their experience of creating this timeless work of art.  They did not create temples for worship. They made a storybook in stone to last throughout time.I hope to remember to distinguish what has been constructed for worship and what needs to be honored within me. I begin to appreciate the value of my inner artist, that is still alive, constructing my contemporary and future self. The inner artist translates the Source but is not the Source.  I must honor the inner artist and be careful not to worship the translator. Just like the ancient artists who carved these gigantic reliefs, […]

By |January 12th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

Alchemy of Personal Transformation – January 11, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi , M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

This flower teaches me patience during this adjustment to India.  Clearly there are blossoms open in full view and yet there are buds in various stages of growth. Each aspect has its own experience of the present and collectively it demonstrates life is a spectrum.  
I know I cannot open one of the buds without causing damage. I realize the importance of allowing its internal clock to manifest the best, natural way of expression.  In contrast to my appreciation of this flower, I try to impose my will on undeveloped aspects of myself.  I dig and prod, sometimes without respect, for the life that is emerging. I feel sad about the disrespect I have given to my soul.  My ego wants to be in charge and I will do much better if I trust the inner, often preverbal wisdom of patience.  I am here and will practice being in the present moment.  I am grateful to the flower that is the mirror.  I open my heart, let […]

By |January 11th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More

The Guide – January 12, 2015

Journey to the Land of Shiva through the Jungian Lens: January 9-22, 2015
Ashok Bedi , M.D.
B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
From January 9-22 2015, a group of soul seekers will travel in India to experience the land of Shiva 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!

 Shiva (portrait) by ChristasVengel on DeviantArt
christasvengel.deviantart.com
By B.J.Jakala

 

The city of Chennai is full of historical and contemporary elements of India. The architecture provides a visual reminder of how other countries have traded and/or dominated this area. The outdoor shops, like the one in the picture, invite the locals and travelers to trade in the same way that has been done for thousands of years. As our tour guide shared his knowledge of the area, I was aware of how my experience was being shaped by the context and content of his presentation.

 I am full of pilgrimage questions as my inner journey begins: Who is my inner tour guide? How does that guide shape the experience of myself? What inner architecture has been constructed? What cultural remnants of history remain? Do they still serve me? Are their influences prominent and desired? What contemporary construction is needed to facilitate an engaged life? How do I trade with the outer world?

 India gives me a window to witness the […]

By |January 10th, 2015|Uncategorized|0 Comments|
Read More