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 The C. G. Jung Center
May 2010 Newsletter
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From the Executive Director
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 As I was out in my garden this past weekend I found myself in awe of the tremendous growth that emanates forth from the earth (wanted or not-I'm currently in a battle with dandelions!). What struck me was how this growth is ever present, whether we see it being manifested or it lays dormant, awaiting the next opportunity for expression. However, it is all too easy to ignore or even thwart this developmental urge when we do not spend much time in self-reflection. Much of our culture believes that contemplating oneself is unhealthy and selfish. This is quite sad because if we do not know who we are or where we happen to be in our lives, we very easily end up doing things to ourselves and others that are meaningless at best or harmful at worst (see Mary Ellen O'Hare-Lavin's program on infidelity for a few examples!). In some ways, this is the mission of the Jung Center: to provide the resources (classes on a wide array of topics and affordable psychotherapy, both geared towards a deep engagement with oneself), the place (our simple but warm storefront), and community (of like-minded seekers) that can nurture and encourage the growth that lies within us all.
Pat Cochran, Psy.D.
Executive Director
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 The Meaning of Infidelity from a Depth Psychological Perspective
Mary Ellen O'Hare-Lavin, PhD, CADC
Friday May 14th, 7-9 pm
$25 by 5/7, $30 after, CEUs: 2
Recently we have been exposed to the personal sexual and unfaithful lives of celebrities from Tiger Woods to Mrs. Iris Robinson of Northern Ireland. What are the archetypal underpinnings of this behavior and why are we even interested in their misdeeds and madness? What is it that "grabs" us? Infidelity is not a new phenomenon and when it hits the front pages of our newspapers, and newsmagazines, and nightly news broadcasts, one wonders if it is indeed newsworthy? Join us for a lively discussion and PowerPoint presentation about "mid-life crisis", projection, and the difference between seduction and relationship. Delve into the medieval history of "courtship". Understand the addictive qualities of the behavior and the archetype of the fool. Discuss the ramifications of infidelity for the primary committed relationship. Though open to all, mental health providers in particular will learn new ways to look at and deal with their patient's disbelief and horror and anger with infidelity. This promises to be an informative enjoyable presentation.
 Viewing and Discussion: The Swimmer
Friday June 4, 7-10 pm
Discussion led by: August J. Cwik, Psy.D.
$15 pre or drop in
The critically acclaimed short story by John Cheever "The Swimmer" was published in 1964 in the collection The Brigadier and the Golf Widow. A film version was released in 1968 by Columbia Pictures. It was directed by Frank Perry and Sydney Pollack, who went uncredited, adapted by Eleanor Perry, and starred Burt Lancaster. In the story the protagonist, Neddy Merrill, played by Lancaster, has the "heroic" idea to return home by swimming the "river" formed by all of his neighbors' pools and the public pool. In so doing his tragic story slowly unfolds. It is a cult classic praised for its blend of realism and surrealism and its use of myth and symbolism. It is an Odysseus-like allegory that has a dreamlike and nightmarish quality as it explores suburban America's affluence, hypocrisy, and the relationship between wealth and happiness. It can also be seen as a commentary on the aging process and the life cycle. A Jungian perspective on narcissism and trauma will also be explored.
 Questions About Jungian Psychology You Never Had the Chance to AskFacilitated by Laura McGrew
June 11th, 7-9 pm
$25 by 6/4, $30 after
This evening will be devoted to questions we have about Jung and his work. Anyone new to Jung as well as those familiar with his work is invited to join us for this program where any questions and ideas relating to the man and his psychology will be welcomed. There will be no presentation but rather a conversation about this most interesting man: his complexities and simplicities; he who said: "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you" as well as "In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order." Join us.
To register please call 847-475-4848 or click here
There is a $15 processing fee for CEUs
Classes are held at The C. G. Jung Center, unless otherwise noted
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 Is Man God? The Advaitic View
Weekly Drop-In Study Group
Mondays 7-8:30 pm,
Facilitated by Sy Ginsburg, Weyler Greene, PhD & Diane Miller, MA, LPC
$10/week
In
this group, we study Eastern esoteric non-dual wisdom through the words
of Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, an Advaitic sage and 20th century
proponent of this philosophy. The group supports one another in
applying this non-dualistic thought to our Western lifestyle through
reading, discussion, and weekly self-awareness/meditation exercises
designed to help us transcend our thoughts, fears, and desires and
understand our true nature and ultimately realize Who we really are. Required text: I Am That, talks with Sri Nisargatta Maharaj (The Acorn Press, 2005).
 Ongoing Dream Circle
Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
Weyler Greene, PhD
$15/week or $80 for 8 weeks
Dream
sharing has been an integral part of many indigenous cultures, allowing
individuals to deepen their relationship with others in their community
and with the physical and metaphysical world at large. Each week, a
group of people gather to share their own dreams and dreams of others
in the group. The purpose of the group is not psychotherapy, but simply
to deepen participants' experience of their own dreams. This group
will be experiential, so feel free to bring a dream! New and returning
participants welcome.
To register please call 847-475-4848 x221 or click hereThere is a $15 processing fee for CEUs
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This is our space for reflections on quotes from Jung. We invite you to share a favorite quote along with your thoughts by e-mailing us at jung@cgjungcenter.org
"Individuation, therefore, can only mean a process of psychological development that fulfills the individual qualities given; in other words, it is a process by which a man becomes the definite, unique being he in fact is. In so doing he does not become "selfish" in the ordinary sense of the word, but is merely fulfilling the peculiarity of his nature, and this, as we have said, is vastly different from egotism or individualism." (Jung, CW 7, para. 267)
Who am I underneath my social role, the set of expectations from my parents and community, and the demands to express certain values that are highly prized in our culture? Who am I, different and apart from the collective instincts and behaviors that are universal to every human? These are questions that face all of us, and Jung posits that individuation is the process of a person's differentiation from her outer role (persona) and inner patterns (collective unconscious). What results from that process of reflecting on those outer roles and engaging with one's inner demands is the truly unique person one is meant to be. Sadly, this reflective engagement with oneself is often seen as selfish or egotistical. From my observations, it is the very opposite: for those who have contemplated themselves deeply I see a resultant generosity and animated approach to life. They have learned how to connect to the core of themselves that desires growth, no matter their age. Their lives more resemble a "flow state" rather than a struggle. They are able to engage deeply with others because they have done the same with themselves. As you see the tremendous growth all around this season, I hope that might prompt a connection to your own growth yearning to blossom.
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Missed a month? Past newsletters can be viewed at our web site: http://www.cgjungcenter.org/newsletter-archive.html
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