A little while ago, my friend and colleague, Cyndy Bishop, told me about a book she and her husband Neil were reading aloud together: How To Read Jung, by David Tacey. Her report was enthusiastic and intriguing, (thank you, Cyndy!), and I immediately obtained a copy and read it myself.

 

It was originally published in Australia, and published in America in 2007 by W.W. Norton & Co. as part of a series of short "How to Read..." introductions to important thinkers whose influence on contemporary life has continued to grow and deepen with time. The premise of the whole series is that the best way to encounter these thinkers is to read their own words, together with the distilled commentary of others who have read the same words with insight and understanding.

  

David Tacey lights up the page with his insights into Jung and the evolution of Jung's thought and psychological/therapeutic practice - not only with individuals but with the entire culture and their collective interactions. In 115 pages Tacey lays out a compelling and I believe very accurate story of Jung's lifelong exploration of the unconscious and his discovery of major landscape features of the of that terra incognita. Tacey quotes the poet A.D. Hope in the course of characterizing Jung's work exploring the language of symbols and dreams:

  

Yet the myths will not fit

us ready-made.

It is the meaning of the

poets' trade

To re-create the fables

and revive

In men the energies by

which they live.

 

These words could equally be used to describe Tacey's own illumination of the life in particular works of Jung himself. There are many good introductions to Jung available these days. Tacey enters what might be considered a crowded field with his new offering, and in my opinion he has won the day.

  

Apparently I am not alone in this opinion; a little more than a month ago the prestigious international publisher, Routledge, offered a new entry, masterfully edited by David Tacey, in the equally crowded field of anthologies culled from Jung's Collected Works: The Jung Reader. in my view, Tacey's new selection of the most important of Jung's writings is deeply wise and sensitive, and his introductory remarks at the beginning of each section are nothing short of brilliant.

 

I believe that Jung's insights into the nature and structure of the collective unconscious comprise the most valuable single body of knowledge available to anyone who is seriously interested in the deeper meanings and implications of the dreams all us human beings remember from sleep. Although Jung was a psychiatrist, his work reaches far beyond the boundaries of treating mental and emotional disorders in individuals, and addresses the situation of the human species and our increasingly precarious occupation of this beautiful planet. As Jung himself says in discussing the implications of his own work: "The intellect, and along with it science, is now placed at the service of a creative power and purpose. Yet this is still 'psychology' although no longer science; it is psychology in the wider meaning of the word."

   

David Tacey has given us two new and immensely valuable points of entry into deeper understanding of Jung himself, and even more importantly into the unconscious realities that Jung spent his life exploring - realities which continue to influence our lives, individually and collectively, in many more profound and compelling ways than we commonly realize, but which are made easier to grasp more consciously as we explore our dreams together.

 

 ©2012 Jeremy Taylor 

 

 

Jeremy will be leading a workshop offering both lecture/discussion and dream work. This weekend event is open to all. All dreams come in the service of health and wholeness, regardless of whether you label them as "light" or "dark." The metaphors and symbols of your dreams are always guiding you on- 

Billie Ortiz & Jeremy

ward expanding your consciousness. By embracing transformational messages of your dreams and the synchronistic symbolism of your everyday challenges, you begin to move closer to becoming your most authentic self.

  

Join us for a weekend filled with personal discovery, enlightening discussion, life-affirming dream work and many opportunities for personal growth and transformation through a better understanding of the language of your dreams within a safe, supportive community of dreamers.   

Two free 15-min healing sessions provided to each participant offered by our team of experienced healers and body-workers; additional paid sessions also available. Arrive early and treat yourself to health and healing! Your registration also includes optional morning Dru Yoga classes. All levels of experience welcome!

Program Cost $250 (senior/student $225; special group rate for groups of 3 or more $200). 

All rooms in our conference site are private apartments with full kitchens; many nearby restaurants. There is a nearby reservoir and sculpture park, indoor pool and jacuzzi, free wi-fi and 24 hr business center, breakfast buffet included, and free grocery shopping service. Special group room rates until Sept 5: $111 for studio apt, $121 for one bedroom suite, and $141 for a two bedroom suite. To make reservations contact Residence Inn, Loveland, Fort Collins, 5450 McWhinney Blvd., Loveland, CO 80538, phone: 1/970/622.7000. Mention "Wake up to Your Dreams." To see the facilities:http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ftccr-residence-inn-loveland-fort-collins  

To register call Billie Ortiz (303/929.6122) or email her at Billie@wakeuptoyou.rdreams.com  

 

You can also go to her website for more information:  wakeuptoyourdreams.com  

 

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You can contact Geoff Nelson at ggnelson@ix.netcom.com

 

In addition to serving as personal adornment, jewelry has also been a universally recognized marker of the wearer's affiliations.  Inspired by the archetypal connections, dream worker Terry Anderson and Jeremy came up with the idea for wordless "I'm a Dreamer" lapel pin, to give away to active dreamers to help them recognize one another at large gatherings, and to celebrate the burgeoning movement of diverse people involved with the various contemporary practices of exploring dreams and dreaming in dream groups. 

The pin is about an inch across at the widest point, depicting an open eye in the center of a golden spiral on a purple background (cloisonné) symbolizing that the wearer is a person who pays regular attention to his/her dreams, as well as the dreams of other people.  

We ordered 300 and have given them away to groups in the US, Canada and Korea. 

They are being distributed as gifts by us, and other dreamers and dream workers to their friends, clients, and fellow dreamers, particularly at events like the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) conferences and regional gatherings, private dream retreats, workshops, seminars and the like.

You are free to do the same (or to sell them if this is what you prefer to do).  They can be ordered by anyone (in lots of 100 or more) from PinDeport of Oviedo, Florida.