Blog

  • Permalink Gallery

    Light and Shadow – Transformation and Assimilation of the Dark Side – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Light and Shadow – Transformation and Assimilation of the Dark Side – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Light and Shadow

Transformation and Assimilation of the Dark Side

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 16th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

Because of its unconscious component the self can only be partially expressed by human figures; the other part of it has to be expressed by objective, abstract symbols. (Jung, 1934/1954/1968, p. 187)

 
The young man’s relationship to the elephant taught me new ways to engage the world. Each of them has their own mobility and yet significantly influence each other. The man tends the elephant including bathing, which they are about to do. He guides him into the lake and the elephant not only lies down in cooperation but seems to enjoy it. The elephant appears affectionate and agreeable during the entire process. It appears the man oversees such a giant being. However, there is one significant factor looming. The elephant does have a mind of its own, with its own instincts for survival. It has accommodated, for now, but could at any moment disobey or even crush the man easily to satisfy unknown needs.

In this time of the pandemic and racial protests, […]

By |June 16th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Light and Shadow – Transformation and Assimilation of the Dark Side – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    The Mind’s Eye – The Inner Vision – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

The Mind’s Eye – The Inner Vision – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

The Mind’s Eye

The Inner Vision

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 15th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

All human beings are bad observers of things that are unfamiliar to them. (Jung, 1976, p. 307)

There are moments of stillness and concentration in nature. I notice it when some birds land to survey for potential food sources. They seem to focus well before making their move. They live in the unfamiliar for the most part except around their nesting place. So, having good observation skills are essential to their survival.

We as human seem to have a different outlook. Our thinking and feelings of the moment determine what see notice and ignore/overlook. The power of observation is a person skill influenced by awareness, curiosity and attention. We can have preoccupations that limit or enhance our ability to observe.

The pandemic and protests intersect our usual world personally and professionally. Their presence can filter or magnify our ability to see the world. Then with the filter or magnification in place, we often see the world in a way that makes us right. Our observation skills could have a […]

By |June 15th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on The Mind’s Eye – The Inner Vision – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Your #1 and #2 Personality – Path to your Celestial Self – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Your #1 and #2 Personality – Path to your Celestial Self – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Your #1 and #2 Personality

Path to your Celestial Self

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 14th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

In this way a change of attitude is brought about which bridges the dissociation between man as he is and man as he ought to be. (Jung, 1967, p. 345)

My mind, like most people, has a variety of levels to “live on” or “visit”. There are times I am grounded in the moment. There are times I take a different perspective or am thinking about some future event that has nothing to do with the moment I am in.

This image grabbed my attention this morning when I read the words “changing room”. This pool side sign is practical. It tells guests where they can have privacy to change apparel. The sign got me to think about where I go in my mind to make changes. I thought about who I am currently and how I get to a more individuated me. (Hence, the quote from Jung above.) That thought led me to wonder what steps I need to take to get to […]

By |June 14th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Your #1 and #2 Personality – Path to your Celestial Self – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    A Synchronistic Moment – The Dance of the Pandemic & the Protests – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

A Synchronistic Moment – The Dance of the Pandemic & the Protests – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

A Synchronistic Moment

The Dance of the Pandemic & the Protests – Co-incident or Synchronistic?

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 13th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

We can see now that the unconscious produces contents which are valid not only for the person concerned, but for others as well, in fact for a great many people and possibly for all. (Jung, 1953, p. 178)

I thoroughly enjoy watching wildlife. I am fascinated by the variety of forms and behaviors. Sometimes when observing them, I think about what motivates their whereabouts and what makes them decide to move. The bird above and I spent several minutes together before it left the branch for no apparent reason. It seemed captured by me as I was by it.

In the pandemic and protests, we too are situated for “a time”. I began thinking about motivation and action. What motivates me to do or not do aspects of my life? The first thing I need to know is where I am. The way I got here may not be as important as paying full attention to the moment I […]

By |June 13th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on A Synchronistic Moment – The Dance of the Pandemic & the Protests – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Wounds of our Soul – Care of the Soul – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Wounds of our Soul – Care of the Soul – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Wounds of our Soul

Care of the Soul

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 12th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

Certain complexes arise on account of painful or distressing experiences in a person’s life, experiences of an emotional nature which leave lasting psychic wounds behind them. A bad experience of this sort often crushes valuable qualities in an individual. All these produce unconscious complexes of a personal nature. (Jung, 1960b, p. 313)

This California Oak has a deep wound in its trunk, yet the tree in all other aspects is healthy. It is a giant tree and when approached from the other side does not appear to be damaged. Its circulation is compromised but somehow it has compensated enough to live amazingly well.

This time of the pandemic and protests is painful and distressing. Our lives have been dramatically changed in our personal and societal lives. It is helpful that we find a way to prevent further damage by finding ways to soothe and mend our wounds. It is time to fully examine the effects of what has happened so far and strengthen our resilience […]

By |June 12th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Wounds of our Soul – Care of the Soul – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    History in a Bottle – Let the ship step outside of the bottle and sail the sea of an emerging human civilization In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

History in a Bottle – Let the ship step outside of the bottle and sail the sea of an emerging human civilization In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

History in a Bottle

Let the ship step outside of the bottle and sail the sea of an emerging human civilization

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 11th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

The bottle is an artificial human product and thus signifies the intellectual purposefulness and artificiality of the procedure, whose obvious aim is to isolate the spirit from the surrounding medium. (Jung, 1967, p. 197)

When I was a child, I had relatives who were building ships in a bottle. I was intrigued and astounded at the diligence and dedication it took to complete them. The ships were essentially preserved. The exhibit above reminded me of things in childhood I had forgotten about. Little did I know it would also have huge impact years later in a contemporary way.

The bottle on display outside the museum is metaphorically related to both the pandemic and the protests for racial and social justice. I see both issues as the ship inside the bottle. The bottle represents the forces that keep things the same. I can see what is inside, but I cannot make changes to […]

By |June 11th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on History in a Bottle – Let the ship step outside of the bottle and sail the sea of an emerging human civilization In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Our Unicorn Moment – A Brave New World – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Our Unicorn Moment – A Brave New World – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Our Unicorn Moment

A Brave New World
In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 10th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

The horn as an emblem of vigor and strength has a masculine character, but at the same time it is a cup, which, as a receptacle is feminine. So, we are dealing here with a “uniting symbol” that expresses the bipolarity of the archetype. (Jung, 1968, p. 471)

The unicorn in the storefront window is stunning. The pose is lifelike, and I know it is not real. Its gentle character promotes humility while it radiates a blend of myth and magic. Somehow it touches my heart strings and yet it is inside the building. I am drawn to it in a way that I want to buy it and take it home with me, but I choose to take its picture instead.

When I look at this image, I have an immediate response. My imagination is fully engaged with medieval scenes of it prancing in the forest at twilight. It incarnates and evaporates as it grazes in the grasses. It seems incredibly strong and approachable, yet it […]

By |June 10th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Our Unicorn Moment – A Brave New World – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    The Third Eye – The Inner Witness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

The Third Eye – The Inner Witness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

The Third Eye

The Inner Witness

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 9th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

The eye may well stand for consciousness (which is in fact an organ of perception), looking into its own background. It sees its own light there, and when this is clear and pure the whole body is filled with light. Under certain conditions consciousness has a purifying effect. (Jung, 1934/1954/1968, p. 337)

The London Eye (Ferris Wheel) lifts its passengers up in the air for an astounding view of the area. The experience grounds a new reality of the city. The perception of London and the river are changed forever. There is no denying what the eyes take in.

The number of Covid-19 cases and deaths are seen in news media. The impact of the pandemic on people of color is disproportionate in a way that makes the effects of racism more apparent. The video of the murder of George Floyd by police provides an eyewitness account of the event. It was not told as a story but seen by a camera phone on the news. The eyewitness […]

By |June 9th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on The Third Eye – The Inner Witness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Jacob’s Ladder – Opportunity to Higher Consciousness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Jacob’s Ladder – Opportunity to Higher Consciousness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Jacob’s Ladder

Opportunity to Higher Consciousness

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 8th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

Psychic life is a development that can easily be arrested on the lowest levels. It is as though every individual had a specific gravity, in accordance with which he either rises, or sinks down, to the level where he reaches his limit. His views and convictions will be determined accordingly. (Jung, Read, Fordham, & Adler, 1953, p. 201)

I notice two things about these monkeys. The first is how they seem to be lost in their own thoughts while they have a relationship (in the photo) that seems to relax into each other. The second thing I notice is they do not seem to be engaged with the external world. Perhaps all their attention is consumed internally.

During this time of the pandemic and protests, there are some who are only engaged in how those events interfere or upset their life. The concern is a personal subjective experience without giving much credence to issues outside of their own life. The inconvenience of not being able to have the […]

By |June 8th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Jacob’s Ladder – Opportunity to Higher Consciousness – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More
  • Permalink Gallery

    Peace – The Ethical Foundation of Peace – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Peace – The Ethical Foundation of Peace – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis

Peace

The Ethical Foundation of Peace

In the Eye of the Storm

An individual response to the Global Crisis

ISSN 1939-3407

June 7th,
2020

Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst

www.pathtotheosoul.com

www.tulawellnessllc.com

Robert BJ Jakala PH.D., Jungian Psychotherapist

In a storm, the safest place is in the eye of the storm. My colleague BJ and I will share our daily reflections on this centering process from an Analytical perspective, sharing from the repertoire of our personal and professional experience. BJ is a psychologist and a photographer and will pick an image of the day that catches him in this collective crisis. I will amplify it from a Jungian Analytical perspective. We hope that this may offer you a baby step on the path to your own unique response to this chaos.

An attitude is governed and sustained by a dominant conscious idea accompanied by a so-called “feeling-tone,” i.e., an emotional value, which accounts for the efficacy of the idea. The mere idea has no practical or moral effect whatever if it is not supported by an emotional quality having as a rule an ethical value.” (Jung, 1976, p. 608)

There are signs that reminds me of qualities I feel inside or wish to feel inside. I know it is there to some degree, but not always kept in awareness. In those instances, it does meet the criteria of an idea that can be explained or thought about. When I see a poster like the one in the photo and take some time to ingest it, more of my senses begin to resonate with it. In fact, when it is a feeling tone, I believe I generate it. I am a source and a responder to its quality.

In this time of the pandemic and protests, peace is a quality […]

By |June 7th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Peace – The Ethical Foundation of Peace – In the Eye of the Storm – An individual response to the Global Crisis|
Read More