Chicken Little: The Inside Story (A Jungian ... - Inner City Books

More documents

Recommendations

Info

42 Chicken Little: The Inside Story “Naturally I thought of working with a colleague,” said Brillig, “but there was no one who commanded my respect. I was obliged to fall back on my own resources. I resumed recording my dreams, which I had woefully neglected. I spent hours reflecting on the images, amplifying them, recording my thoughts and feelings. Well, you know the routine—all those things one does as a matter of course in analysis. I got back into active imagination. I started painting again, playing with clay, carving wood. In short, I became totally self-absorbed.” “No offense,” said Rachel, “but I know people who would call that narcissistic.” Brillig smiled. “My dear, who can deny it? To some extent self-involvement always is. But unconscious narcissism is a far cry from a conscious act of self-preservation. I dare say you will recall Christ’s admonition to the poor soul he found working his garden on the Sabbath? ‘If you don’t know what you are doing, you are damned; if you do, you are blessed.’ I knew I was in trouble, you see—deep schtuck, as some would say—and when that happens, in my experience the best way to get back on track is to turn the spotlight on yourself.” “I think it’s to your credit that you recognized the problem,” offered Norman. “That’s as may be,” said Brillig. “In any case, I took on no new patients. My practice slowly diminished, by attrition. When I had found my way, I closed the door on that chapter of my life. That was, let me see . . . Norman?” “Twelve years ago?” “Yes, so it was. Oh, I’ve kept my hand in, here and there, now and then. Norman, for instance. We still work together, though not in the usual way.” I looked at Norman. He gave nothing away. “And your interest in Jung?” asked Arnold. Brillig shrugged. “That has not flagged.” “There is much talk these days of going beyond Jung,” I said, “of breaking new ground.” “My dear fellow,” said Brillig, “There is talk these days of many
The Meeting 43 things, ‘of shoes and ships and sealing wax,’ as Lewis Carroll said. 46 Depth psychology has become a free-for-all, there is little discrimination. I find it difficult to take seriously the undergraduate gropings of those who don’t know Jung. Why break new ground, I ask, when his topsoil has barely been tilled?” “Perhaps it is a matter of opinion,” said Arnold. “Opinions,” said Brillig “are as plentiful as turnips and worth about as much. I have a great respect for facts. These so-called New Agers simply muddy the waters with their crystals and channeling and, oh horror!—vision quests. You understand I have nothing against visions that come unbidden—goodness knows I’ve had enough of them myself—but I don’t see the point in going out looking, like some great Easter egg hunt.” I agreed. “There seem to be groups and workshops for just about everything. Do you know, I recently received a notice about an organization dedicated to the recovery of lost foreskin.” “I remember that,” laughed Rachel. “It didn’t even mention circumcision.” “The soul is a delicate flower,” said Brillig. “It flourishes in solitude, in nature and in intense work, one-on-one, with a mentor; it seldom manifests in groups.” “I do think there is a legitimate desire for change,” I said, “for some kind of personal transformation.” “Yes,” said Brillig, “I dare say, and I’m sure we all welcome that. Alas, I fear there is a tendency to mistake temporarily heightened awareness for rebirth. As Jung pointed out—and he was certainly not the first—the group experience does not last.” 47 “ ‘The fates guide the willing,’ ” chipped in Arnold, quoting one of Seneca’s aphorisms, “ ‘the unwilling they drag.’ ” 48 Norman said that reminded him of Jung’s observation, that “anyone who is destined to descend into a deep pit had better set about it with all the necessary precautions rather than risk falling into the hole backwards.” 49 46 Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, p. 78. 47 “Psychology and Religion,” Psychology and Religion, CW 11, par. 226. 48 Epistola, 107, II. 49 Aion, CW 9ii, par. 125.
Page 2 and 3: Chicken Little
Page 4 and 5: CHICKEN LITTLE The Inside Story A J
Page 6: Contents Chicken Little: Messiah, M
Page 9 and 10: Chicken Little: Messiah, Meshuggene
Page 21 and 22: The Letter 21 had a joint. The feel
Page 23 and 24: The Letter 23 could use some spice.
Page 25 and 26: The Letter 25 chel about Brillig’
Page 27 and 28: The Letter 27 the difference. She h
Page 29 and 30: The Letter 29 since the morning in
Page 31 and 32: The Letter 31 her, was written at a
Page 33 and 34: The Meeting 33 Well, strictly speak
Page 35 and 36: The Meeting 35 “Rachel,” I said
Page 37 and 38: The Meeting 37 “May I?” he aske
Page 39 and 40: The Meeting 39 tain-climbing goods
Page 41: The Meeting 41 Arnold furtively sli
Page 45 and 46: 3 An Unveiling I awoke at 5:30. Tha
Page 47 and 48: An Unveiling 47 had been through th
Page 49 and 50: An Unveiling 49 six hours there and
Page 51 and 52: An Unveiling 51 sensuous mate befor
Page 53 and 54: An Unveiling 53 still devout, and a
Page 55 and 56: An Unveiling 55 I felt a twinge of
Page 57 and 58: 4 Search for the Self After we’d
Page 59 and 60: Search for the Self 59 “Jung spok
Page 61 and 62: Search for the Self 61 concerned to
Page 63 and 64: Search for the Self 63 “I also sa
Page 65 and 66: Search for the Self 65 I looked at
Page 67 and 68: Search for the Self 67 Rachel looke
Page 69 and 70: Search for the Self 69 “You could
Page 71 and 72: Intermezzo 71 town and sent to the
Page 73 and 74: Search for the Self 73 Alchemical l
Page 75 and 76: Philosophers’ Stone 75 next door.
Page 77 and 78: Philosophers’ Stone 77 zine these
Page 79 and 80: Philosophers’ Stone 79
Page 81 and 82: Philosophers’ Stone 81 only in hi
Page 83 and 84: Philosophers’ Stone 83 circled hi
Page 85 and 86: Philosophers’ Stone 85 fours and
Page 87 and 88: Philosophers’ Stone 87 how does i
Page 89 and 90: A Stitch in Time 89 as I can say wh
Page 91 and 92: A Stitch in Time 91 “Good, bad, w
Page 93 and 94:
A Stitch in Time 93 The prodigal so
Page 95 and 96:
A Stitch in Time 95 “Well,” I s
Page 97 and 98:
A Stitch in Time 97 as I dare say t
Page 99 and 100:
New Dimensions 99 had a session wit
Page 101 and 102:
New Dimensions 101 I was afraid I
Page 103 and 104:
New Dimensions 103 Night after nigh
Page 105 and 106:
New Dimensions 105 culine God-image
Page 107 and 108:
New Dimensions 107 Adam smiled at m
Page 109 and 110:
New Dimensions 109 Adam had said ea
Page 111 and 112:
The Experiment 111 No team of mount
Page 113 and 114:
The Experiment 113 “The major por
Page 115 and 116:
The Experiment 115 While Rachel and
Page 117 and 118:
The Experiment 117 It took some tri
Page 119 and 120:
The Experiment 119 From the Great A
Page 121 and 122:
The Experiment 121 “Hear, hear,
Page 123 and 124:
The Experiment 123 While I scooped
Page 125 and 126:
Bibliography Birkhäuser-Oeri, Siby
Page 127:
Bibliography 127 _______. The Pregn
show all

Chicken Little: The Inside Story (A Jungian ... - Inner City Books

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?