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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 […]

 
 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 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 […]

 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 […]

 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 […]