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 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 your brief reflections on our blog comment section.

Ashok Bedi, M.D. is a Jungian psychoanalyst and a board certified psychiatrist. He is a member of the Royal College of psychiatrists of Great Britain, a diplomat in Psychological Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is a Clinical Professor in Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and a training analyst at the Carl G. Jung Institute of Chicago. He is in private practice in Milwaukee and is the author of several books which may be previewed at his website www.pathtothesoul.com. He is the liaison for the IAAP for developing Jungian training programs in India and travels annually to India to teach, train the consult with the Jungian Developing groups at several centers in India including Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Robert “BJ” Jakala, PhD is a depth psychotherapist in private practice for twenty-eight years. He is a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpentaria, CA. He is also licensed as a Registered Nurse and has worked at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for thirty-three years. He has taught Stress Management to the Nurse Residents at the UCLA Ronald Regan Medical Center for the last ten years. He may be reached at his website www.secretologist.com