HAPPY DIWALI
Diwali
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Diwali
Your Inner Buddha – February 10th, 2016
Buddha at Sanchi
About this image – BJ Jakala
The statue of Buddha brings a feeling of tranquility and peace. There are particular kinds of stillness inside of me as I witness his image: a stillness that notices the value of all life, a respect for internal harmony, and the awareness of the travel on the bridge between the two of them.
Context: This carving is outside the stupa at Sanchi
About this image – Ashok Bedi
We live at two planes of consciousness; Ego and the Soul. The Ego is the center of our conscious personality and the Soul is the deeper center of our total personality. We project this Soul onto Self Symbols like Christ, Buddha, Krishna, Moses etc. depending upon our cultural context. These Self Symbols are our Soul Guides and light our path to our deeper and higher Self. Buddha is one such Path. He symbolizes contemplative life, quieting our Monkey mind and making room for a reflective and Symbolic life. He teaches that to be human is to suffer, the cause of suffering is attachment, the way out of suffering is Detachment and the path to detachment is contemplative and reflective life that maintains compassionate detachment. May you connect with your inner Buddha on your path to Enlightenment.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst
January 31 to February 11, 2016
Ashok Bedi, M.D. & B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
This is the 11th study tour of India to explore the archetypal soul of India from a Jungian, Analytical lens. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok […]
The Power of the Image – February 8th, 2016
About this image – BJ Jakala
I try to imagine having caves as my occasional home and being at the mercy of a successful hunt for some food; a radically different life. I am grateful for the artists who made the images. I wonder if their work was admired during their lifetime.
The images transport me out of my ordinary life and into my imagination. The familiar, distant, and foreign feelings collide and leave me without words. I begin to imagine myself as the images waiting to be witnessed for thousands of years, holding the moment out of time. It must have been a relief to be discovered after such a long wait. I cherish the value of being noticed.
CONTEXT: The rock shelters of Bhimbetka transport me to a time before written language. These ancient paintings, as much as 15,000 years ago, display activities of everyday life. They were discovered by accident in 1957-58.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
Ancient art from this prehistoric cave in the heart of India reminds us of a time before language evolved in human civilization. The image precedes the word. Images are more powerful than the word. Language is a recent acquisition of human beings compared to the images. An image touches on something deeper in our psyche. It recruits limbic, archetypal brain to bear on the experience of the image. While the word may divide cultures, the image unites us with universalities of themes depicted in an image. This image depicts the collaborative enterprise of human groups for survival and security of their clans.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi […]
The Work and the Child – February 8th, 2016
About this image – BJ Jakala
This child’s face brings hope to the moment. The look is penetrating and gently engaging. Even with all of the store items around, the curiosity is in the other; the human connection. The father’s pride radiates as he touches the child’s arm for a photo. His work is being a store-keeper. He life-long task is being a father. The value of family glows beyond what one does for a living.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
We live several layers of existence. At one level, this man is a mere shop keeper. At a deeper, archetypal layer, he is carrying the mandate of the archetype of the Great Father. The love, pride and devotion with which he parents this child is his enduring contribution to the collective, to the society, the flow of human civilization. We must all be aware of our sacred, Dharmic responsibilities as we carry out the mundane responsibilities of our daily life.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst
January 31 to February 11, 2016
Ashok Bedi, M.D. & B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
This is the 11th study tour of India to explore the archetypal soul of India from a Jungian, Analytical lens. 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. B.J. is the blog photographer and will display a photograph of the day and share personal reflections. Ashok Bedi will amplify the image with an archetypal lens. Share […]
The Iron Works – February 7th, 2016
The Iron Works
About this image – BJ Jakala
Working outdoors takes on a whole new meaning in India. The man’s shop is set up under a tree at the edge of the village. He is proud of his work as he demonstrates how he does it.
I cherish the simplicity of life as this man exhibits the skill in his work. The slight smile on his face radiates joy and inspires me to be more in the moment of the task at hand. I look deep inside myself and find the stillness to be in the here and now. I let go of the past, stop concerning myself of the future, and breathe. This self-reflection brings peace, no more, no less, simply peace as I connect within.
Context: Laundry service in Gawalior: The iron is filled with hot coals to press the pants and shirts. The red sock on the table is wet and provides moisture if a garment needs steam. His workload is behind him on the wall. The finished products are folded on the lower right.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
When we are fully present to the present moment, we are in a state of mindfulness. Such a contemplative attention to the present resets our brain to Alpha waves in EEG recordings. It establishes a healing and restorative Parasympathetic tone which renews our wellbeing and opens us to the communion with the Universe. We are more intimately connected to the sacred and the divine energies around us.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst
January 31 to February 11, 2016
Ashok Bedi, M.D. & B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
[…]
The Musical Working of the Stone – February 6th, 2016
The Musical Working of the Stone
About this image – BJ Jakala
The hammer and chisel create percussive sounds as this man (and a small group around him) work on the restoration project. From a distance it sounds like music as they etch the stones. This long and tedious task reminded me of how much work it takes to change or restore that which has been worn by time within me.
Like this project, I can reveal my inner layers, my deeper self, if I use determination, focus, and love of the artistry to be more of who I am. I can use each moment as an opportunity remove that which covers the inner sculpture of my real self. It will take time, effort, and support. It is the job of a lifetime. Like this man, love what I do and do it all day long. There can be pleasure and satisfaction
About this image – Ashok Bedi
Soul work is the Magnum Opus of the life time. We are given the stone slab of our potential by the universe. Then we are invited to chisel away via our choices in this life to sculpt what we may. The stone is the gift of the universe. The image we create out of it is our free will. It is a dance between the collective and our personal choices that choreographs our unique life narrative. What we then leave behind is our gift or debt to the collective. We have to retire our karmic balance sheet in this and subsequent reincarnations.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst
January 31 to […]
A Tribute to Love – February 3, 2016
About this image – BJ Jakala
The Taj Mahal is a world class example of a tribute to love. Its majestic architecture dominates the moment with beauty. The white marble and semi-precious stones not only provide design from a distance, up close the stone inlay gives a deeper magnificence when it is touched by light.
While walking inside I was captured in a meditative way. My focus, without effort, was the incredible artistry and craftsmanship that lead me to reflect upon divine love; nothing else mattered. I was captured and held by something so impressive words fell out of thought. Images impressed feelings that flowed and stood still at the same time. I was transported and supported to the world that I imagined the Shah Jahan felt for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The structure is alive and awakens a universal sense of vast and deep love.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
Taj Mahal is a memorial of emperor Shah Jahan to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the seven wonders of the world and a glittering memorial of archetype of Eros. Love or Eros comes in many shades. There is a love of a mother, love of a father, of a sibling, friend, country, cause, purpose, art, nature etc. However, at the end all love for the other is a projection of our love for the sacred or the divine. We try to grasp that transcendent connection with the divine via our love for the other. At the end of days, our love must be transferred from the other to the source – the spirit. Hindus call this the merger of the Atman with the Brahman, of soul with the primal spirit. For most […]
Mona Lisa – February 1, 2016
About this image – BJ Jakala
This busy marketplace is full of life and its offerings. The smile of the woman is humble and friendly. She is pleased to have her photo taken. She exemplifies how the people of India really look at you, deep into the soul. She has a feeling of gratitude for being witnessed. She is a Mona Lisa for India.
There is such an enormous connection with her. I feel more alive inside, and forget all the distractions of life’s challenges. This photo brings me to this very moment of being satisfied here and now. No more, no less. I cherish how right now is enough.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
Eyes are a window into the soul. A smile is a whisper of the Spirit. When we smile, it shines the grace of the divine through us. By honoring our smile, we stay in grace. Such an authentic smile in midst of adversities and challenges of life is a true gift to another. Such an individual assimilates all the darkness of their existence but radiates God’s light to others. That is the enduring magic of Mona Lisa. If we are open to it, we can find this in us and all around us.
JUNGIAN ENCOUNTER WITH THE SOUL OF INDIAʼS HEARTLAND
Sponsored by the C.G. Jung Foundation of New York; Guest Faculty – Ashok Bedi M.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst
January 31 to February 11, 2016
Ashok Bedi, M.D. & B.J. Jakala, PH.D.
This is the 11th study tour of India to explore the archetypal soul of India from a Jungian, Analytical lens. For the next several days, the faculty member of the group, Jungian Analyst Ashok Bedi and […]
The Guide – January 30, 2016
The Guide
About this image – BJ Jakala
Our guide through the old quarters of Ahmedabad was a valuable source of historical knowledge. As we came to places of importance he explained the blatant and subtle characteristics; past, present, and yet to come.
This two-hour tour impressed the value of having an inner guide, a trustworthy and knowledgeable part to escort me through life: a source to encourage living fully in the moment yet holding the value of my past, and the direction of my future; a multi-dimensional compass for life.
The craftsmanship of the artisans created so much lasting beauty in this temple. Their devotion to the image is beyond words, leaving the me speechless except for an occasional “wow”.
CONTEXT: Inner city tour of Ahmedabad through the House of MG. Mr. Saiyed Badoudin, our incredibly valuable and knowledgeable guide, is writing a book about the tour sites. He is a proud, yet humble man who opened our eyes to the treasures of this part of the city. His email: easywaySaiyed@gmail.com
About this image – Ashok Bedi
While we live in the present zone of consciousness, our soul is the inner guide that archives the history of our ancestral wisdom and the seeds of our emergent potentials to fulfill our program or destiny in this lifetime. Each one of us has at least 2 million years’ worth of archetypal history stored in our limbic brain that we can Google and access via our dreams and creative products (Art, painting, writing etc.) our complexes, our medical and psychiatric problems, our relationship tangles, our accidents and synchronistic events. We can access this archetypal guidance via our inner work and deploy this to claim our teleos or destiny- our Dharma […]
The Prayer of the Shadow January 29th, 2016
About this image – BJ Jakala
A feeling of deep meditation and prayer dominates the moment. At first, I am lost to the surroundings of the mihrab and mosque as I witness a man in contact with his soul and source. The reflective stillness emanates a gentle peacefulness and deep connection to the eternal. I am filled with a sense of humility and wonder of how many knees have been placed on the floor over the past four to five hundred years.
As I notice the man’s shadow, and imagine he is unaware of it as he prays. It is as though there are two who are praying. I am curious about the prayers of the shadow.
The window on the far left is radiant and is a source of light. I imagine that just beyond the wall the man faces is the source he seeks. Yet, the wall itself is ornamented with beauty of its own. It acts as a barrier and as a facilitator of the creative artistry of a divine source. It holds him in place and enables the connection he desires.
About this image – Ashok Bedi
A prayer is communication with the divine. We pray through our consciousness. However, it the presence of the sacred, not just our light but our shadow is also present. Those who are connected with the sense of the sacred unwittingly put their shadow in service of the divine along with their light. The totality of the psyche is in communion with the sacred. Often it is not via our light but through the shadow that we serve the sacred. When we put our light and potential in service of the society we do good work […]
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