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.

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