"At times I feel as if I am spread out over the landscape and inside everything, and am myself living in every tree, in the splash of the waves, in the clouds and the animals that come and go, in the procession of the seasons. There is nothing... with which I am not linked." (Memories, Dreams, Reflections, p. 225)

I've recently been reading The Earth Has a Soul: The Nature Writings of C. G. Jung.  Author Meredith Sabini writes that "Concern for the loss of connection with nature runs like a leitmotif throughout Jung's entire opus."  In the preface, she poses a series of questions, including "How did our loss of connection with Nature come about?" and "how might this rupture be healed?" I am very interested in these questions, and specifically in finding daily actions that can work toward that healing.  I believe Jung would agree that the healing of Nature and the healing of our human psyches go hand in hand.

It is to this end that I ask you to join us in helping the Jung Center go green. According to the EPA, 75% of the waste we produce may be recyclable. The Jung Center now proudly displays recycling bins for all guests to use. Please recycle all paper, rinsed plastic products labeled #1-5, glass, cans, and foil in these bins. The following items are not recyclable through the Evanston program: plastic bags, all #6 plastic, styrofoam, paper towels or food-contaminated paper (e.g. greasy pizza boxes), and foil-lined, wax, plastic or PLA coated paper (includes some coffee cups).

Thank you for participating in our effort to recycle at the Jung Center.

Viewing and Discussion:  We Need To Talk About Kevin

Friday July 13, 7-10 pm

Barbara Burns, RN, LCSW

$15

This dark psychological film tells the story of a stranger in our midst. Staring Tilde Swinton, John C. Riley, and Esra Miller this film is in a similar to the classic film The Omen, telling the haunting story of a mother who discovers her child has a demon within. We begin with a woman who goes on a career tour, this one to Spain to the La Tomatina, Tomato Festival in Buñol, and an orgy of wallowing in RED. Several years later she marries, leaves her New York loft, and settles in the suburbs in a modern, monstrous tri-level; becomes pregnant: the stranger has entered. In her soul, this pregnancy does not feel right. Kevin's father Fredrick expresses a superficial concern for his son, but never truly understands him. Meanwhile, Eva is quietly horrified by their son's development. As the boy ages, it becomes apparent that he is not "developing" in the usual sense.  As the years pass Kevin's propensity for manipulation and destruction continues to grow. The couple has given birth to a daughter, Celia, six years younger then Kevin. As Kevin recognizes that his mother is bonding with Celia in a way she has never done with him, tension builds. Celia becomes the object of Kevin's jealously, anger, and hate. We watch this story play out and are reminded of the way life can lead us on horrific and breathtaking trajectories.

How Happy Are We Supposed to Be?

Friday July 20, 7-9 pm

Julianna Greer, MA

$30, CEUs: 2

Jung said "All factors which are generally assumed to make for happiness can, under certain circumstances, produce the contrary. No matter how ideal your situation may be, it does not necessarily guarantee happiness."  Why are some people happier than others? Besides happiness, what makes life worth living? What is "happiness" anyway? Humans have pondered such questions throughout history. Thanks to recent developments like brain scans and cross-cultural surveys, we now have more complete-and more intriguing-answers. This program will provide an overview of research findings, discuss key concepts such as "flow," and review the effects of variables such as wealth, age, intelligence, religion and occupation on happiness.