President's Letter

Dear Friends,
Recently, as I read a transcript of an Edward Edinger lecture in Quadrant entitled The Meaning of Life, a few sentences caught my eye. Edinger stated: “The purpose of life is the creation of consciousness.” He went on to say, “…no authentic consciousness achieved by the individual is lost,” and then described how “the psychic accomplishments of individuals are transferred to the collective archetypal psyche.”

This is the business of the Jung Society! We may sometimes wonder what the Society is accomplishing while the world around us is in such turmoil and pain. As Jung remarked, “Wherever unconsciousness reigns, there is bondage and possession” (CW11, par. 141). Yet, through our lectures and discussions for the general public, we all contribute in our small way toward a reservoir of collective consciousness. In other words, increasing our own consciousness increases the consciousness of the entire world.

Check inside for our usual slate of outstanding speakers this spring:

• James Hollis, who did such an outstanding job last February, returns for another weekend with us. His lecture and workshop, “Swamplands of the Soul” and “Working Through,” are not to be missed.
• In March we have Dallas analyst, author, and lecturer, Ron Schenk. His very interesting topics are ”The Soul of Terror/ the Terror of Soul”, and “Captain America: Myth as Container of a Nation’s Psyche.”
• In April, Diana Heritage will speak on “Coping with Suffering,” working with the movie Pan’s Labyrinth and the fairy tale The Little Match Girl. Everyone is encouraged to view the film in advance, and it is available in most video stores.
• In May, for the final weekend of lectures and workshops, I will speak on “The Archetypes of the Mass” and “Sacred Traditions; Sacred Arts.”

By the way, there is more to the Jung Society than the events described in this newsletter. Enjoying wine and cheese after the lectures and coffee and rolls at the workshops, you are able to share insights and initiate friendships with others who share similar interests. In addition, membership at the Friends of Jung level ensures that you will learn of any other opportunities that come up during the year.

It’s going to be a great spring series, and I look forward to seeing you at every event.

Sincerely,

Gene Powell Baker
President
Jung Society of North Texas