Carl Jung discussion

Hi Sandy, I am currently reading Liber Novus. (It's a little expensive so I am reading a brand new library copy.)

Is this group still active?

Hi Ed, this is not really a group. I'm an avid reader of Jung and another friend of mine is also. I started it with the hope of discussing Jung's concepts, but I spend more time reading than posting. I wish you well in your reading - in my opinion Liber Novus is as important to own as a Bible or I Ching. Its one of life's guides. My best to you, Ed. Sandy

Thanks Sandy.

By the way, if you want to have a one-on-one group, you can make it private. There are quite a few groups on Goodreads like that.

I'm not a psychologist, merely an English major who got interested in Jung accidentally, mostly because of involvement with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. I've been studying Jung haphazardly for years now but without much to show for it. I think I understand the general principles, but so far I've been unsuccessful in my attempts at active imagination and have found self-analysis nearly impossible without the transference/counter-transference of a psychologist on the other end--though something hardheadedly practical in me tells me there's a way around that. Analytical Psychology hasn't been a tool I could easily pick up and use to analyze my life the way, say, a two-dimensional approach like Transactional Analysis (a Freudian spin-off) once seemed to be. On the other hand, concepts such as those of the self, shadow, persona, anima/animus, archetypes with associational shells of feeling-toned images, potentially answer so many questions other psychologies can't, that I've gotten stuck exploring this enormous conceptual nebula of Jung's that at a distance appears defined and intriguing yet up close swallows you whole and leaves you with no ground under your feet. I don't have anything consequential to contribute. I hope you don't mind if I just sort of follow along and see what I can learn.

I have a free moment and saw a new posting from M. Just some thoughts on your journey as you use Jung as a light for the way...Jung is very dense, yet rewarding. Some reading of Von Franz or Robert Johnson (my male patients particular like him) may help as a primer. OR a very good podcast is John Betts from Vancouver. He has 30 podcasts which delineate quite clearly Jung's concepts and its free! If you can find a Jungian-based therapist for a few sessions, that may be the most helpful avenue. If you google Jung societies in Texas there might be one close to you. Or you could join one on-line by calling John Betts. His phone number is on his website - just google his name and look for the Jungian analyst John Betts. What do you think of these ideas?

Sandy, thank you for your quick response and recommendations! I have nearly everything available by Robert Johnson and thoroughly enjoy reading him. I absolutely love von Franz, Jacobi, Harding, and Hannah. I read somewhere that they're for people who like their Analytical Psychology "straight up," and that has been my experience. I appreciate the information about John Betts. I should be embarrassed to admit that I've been too lazy to commit to a long drive over what I have feared intuitively may be a long analysis. I find the idea of joining a Jung society online appealing. At one time I considered advertising: "Stalled INFP writer seeks female analyst of like type to act as projection carrier and diagnose despondent muse--who has turned into an animus hound." A few years ago at a Half Price Books store in Houston, I lucked into most of an old hardbound set of Jung's Complete Works in a cardboard box someone had just brought in. "I'll take all of them," I said. The clerk glanced at them and asked me if $5 apiece sounded okay. I've been dipping into them ever since. Jung's writing has enough of the oracular about it that--for me, at least--reading him is both enlightening and exasperating. Like passages from the Bible, the material somehow seems new every time I read it. Probably because anima projection was behind some of the most painful adventures in my youth, projection remains one of the concepts that most intrigue me in Jung's psychology. Projection alone plays such a role in people's everyday lives that extricating oneself from its debilitating aspects would seem imperative, while in fields such as marketing the potential for exploiting it is practically unlimited. I hadn't intended to ramble on quite so long. Sandy, thank you again for taking time to reply and make suggestions.

i'm a 17 year old boy who wants to be a psychiatrist/Jungian analyst when he grows up

are there any other books that anyone should suggest?

i'm reading Man and His Symbols currently.

i finished Robert Johnson's Owning Your Shadow

and i hope to acquire the Red Book in the future.

You've started out well with your choice of reads, Vinh. Do you want to be a psychiatrist or a psychologist?

Psychiatrist with a background in Psychoanalytical training.

i figure as a psychiatrist i would be able to live on a salary that is lucratively beneficial and also have all the knowledge of being a psychoanalyst who helps people deal with their daily problems.

Vinh, I'm not a professional, but based on my reading, I'd suggest Robert Johnson's book, Inner Work, and Barbara Hannah's book on active imagination, Encounters With the Soul, since dream work and active imagination seem to be the foundation of Jungian analysis.

You might also want to read The Portable Jung as well as some books by both Jung and others on his typology. The personality functions seem to come up a lot in dream interpretation.

I would also read widely in mythology and classic literature.

Vinh I'm not an Analyst but a Gnostic. I would suggest Memories, Dreams, and Reflections if you want to cut to the Chase. Best Wishes.

Vinh - your career planning sounds solid. Jung said the way to one's bliss is to work very hard by following your calling. It looks like your BS in premed/bio is the next step, then med school, and psychiatric internship.When you complete your residency, you may want to apply to one of the Jungian Institutes such as the Interregional, the New York City or the Chicago. It is a long and arduous road, but well worth the immense efforts. Best Wishes!

are there any warmer places that have any of those Jungian institutes you spoke of?

like California?

i've lived in Florida since the 5th grade and i've gotten quite comfortable with the warm weather.

Yes, there is one in California too.

There are at least two Jung Institutes in California, one in Los Angeles and one in San Francisco.

Here is a link to Carl Jung Depth Psychology Institutes Societies, Discussion Groups, Etc. http://carljungdepthpsychology.blogsp...

Here is a link to Books and videos available for online reading on subjects related to Depth Psychology: http://carljungdepthpsychology.blogsp...

Here is a link to a Facebook Group dedicated to Dr.Jung's work: https://www.facebook.com/groups/56536...

Thank you

Thank you Maxwell!

If you'd like to see the Redbook on screen. Watch the movie Sucker Punch

The RED BOOK by Carl Jung may also be downloaded for FREE in a .pdf format here: http://hotfile.com/dl/60948457/7435c0...

Birl wrote: "If you'd like to see the Redbook on screen. Watch the movie Sucker Punch" There are two Sucker Punch movies - which one?

Sandy wrote: "Birl wrote: "If you'd like to see the Redbook on screen. Watch the movie Sucker Punch" There are two Sucker Punch movies - which one?"

Warner Bros. Produced/Directed by Zack Snyder

Could you guys recommend any good books on "psychoanalysis?"

as in the way people think?
how to induce things about a person's personality based on how they respond to you?
in what ways they respond to you?

those sort of things.

Hey Vinh, glad to hear from you. You ask tough questions. Edinger's Ego and Archetype is a thorough one on Jungian psychodynamic psychoanalysis. A nice beginning read for understanding personality based on responses is TypeTalk and books by Kiersey - both on the Jungian based Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory. Hope this helps.

"I nice beginning read..."

Sorry Sandy, I got lost on that sentence :/

Vinh, I'm concerned about your statement that you want to be a "psychiatrist/Jungian analyst" when you grow up. You need to be aware of the difficulties of being both of these - I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's very difficult. Psychiatrists these days do indeed make a good living. But they are trained and paid to allow 15 minutes per patient and prescribe psychoactive medication for all psychiatric problems. "Talk therapy" is done by lowly assistants like psychologists and social workers. There are a few psychoanalysts left in big cities but they are an increasingly rare species. No health insurance will pay their fees, so only the rich can afford them. I don't want to discourage you too much, because the profession desperately needs idealistic young people like you. But you need to be aware of present day attitudes and trends. Google stuff like "psychiatry" and "medical model" (together) and see what you come up with.

Norton says this site tried to download malicious software onto my laptop. Be careful!

Birl wrote: "If you'd like to see the Redbook on screen. Watch the movie Sucker Punch"

Hi, Mary,

I had a thorough Jungian analysis with a MSW (Master of Social Work)degree holder. My insurance paid. I would not consider a social worker "lowly."

D.

Vinh wrote: ""I nice beginning read..."

Sorry Sandy, I got lost on that sentence :/"

Rukmini - I'm delighted to hear you had such a good experience with Jungian analysis - and would love to hear more about it! But am I right when I guess you were referred for the analysis by a psychiatrist who first put you on medication and never saw you for more than 15 minutes at a time? (Do tell me I'm wrong, because it would cheer me up.) And I apologize if my language offended you, but it does reflect the medical pecking order - and the pay level.

Namaste,
Mary

The great majority of psychiatrists I have seen do indeed see you for 15 minutes and hand you a bunch of prescriptions for a bunch of pills. However, my current psychiatrist is excellent and not in this mold at all. I have good karma for finding good doctors. Please message me about the analysis - I would be happy to discuss it with you. I found my analyst on the Washington Jung Center referral page on their website.

Rukmini - congrats on your current psychiatrist. Karma smiles on you. So what was your analysis like, and what did you gain from it? Back channel me at marysc11 "at" yahoo dot com if you like.

Mary

Mary wrote: "Rukmini - congrats on your current psychiatrist. Karma smiles on you. So what was your analysis like, and what did you gain from it? Back channel me at marysc11 "at" yahoo dot com if you like. ..."

Mary wrote: "Rukmini - I'm delighted to hear you had such a good experience with Jungian analysis - and would love to hear more about it! But am I right when I guess you were referred for the analysis by a psy..."

Rukmini wrote: "Norton says this site tried to download malicious software onto my laptop. Be careful!

Birl wrote: "If you'd like to see the Redbook on screen. Watch the movie Sucker Punch""

Rukmini, could you give me the name of your MSW Jungian Analyst who takes insurance, please? Thanks!