Where do you find inspiration?
What stories inspire you? Friends and clients have shared how a certain book, or character in a story, helped them through a difficult time, changed, or even saved their life.
I am greatly influenced by the writings of C. G. Jung, Marie-Louise von Franz, Esther Harding, Helen Luke, and others in the field of Depth Psychology. When people ask me where to begin to read Jung, I recommend C. G. Jung’s memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections. If you are looking for a way to proceed with the study of mythology, I say start with Joseph Campbell, Carl Kerenyi, and Jane Ellen Harrison.
What is my favorite book of all time? Homer’s Odyssey. In fact, I am currently working on a book about Penelope, Homer’s “forgotten” heroine. I will let you know when it is ready.
A little too esoteric, you say? How about Sue Monk Kidd’s Traveling with Pomegranates, written with her daughter, Anne Kidd Taylor. In this memoir she tells us how she discovered the major themes, images and currents for The Secret Life of Bees, her first and very successful novel. Who knew she learned about her “Black Mary” from the Black Madonnas of Greece and France?
Curious about the keys to living your life in a meaningful way? You will enjoy On Being Human: An Operator’s Manual by David V. White. Or you may have trouble sleeping soundly? There is an interesting ePamphlet available through Amazon, titled Simple Sleep Solutions by J. P. Nicolais.
Online Resources:
An online resource, such as a website, may also be of interest. Here are a few web resources, which have been useful to me:
Jung.org
Jung.org is the Internet home of the Washington Society for Jungian Psychology. I teach courses for WJS–great privilege for me.
Elissos (Traveling Philosophy | Tourist Guide Services in Crete)
Tour Guide Services in Crete: An Alternative, Experiential, Tailor-made Travelling Experience for your Mind, Body and Soul Marilina Paters and I have led study tours on Crete since 2005. We are currently planning a new study tour in 2014 to Delphi, the pre-Olympian Acropolis in Athens, and Eleusis.
A Meaningful Life
You will find On Being Human valuable in your personal quest, for it takes a broad, holistic view– exploring how psychology, art, science, religion, relationships. This website belongs to my friend and colleague, David White, philosopher, teacher, psychologist and storyteller. His books, On Being Human and Art, Science, Religion, Spirituality: Seeking Wisdom and Harmony for a Fulfilling Life are well worth the read.
Directions For Women
Bringing personal finance home. Directions for Women is a wonderful resource for those of us who are unsure about our relationship with money and wealth. It offers insights and practical guidance in this domain.
Assisi Institute
www.assisiinstitute.com/about-us.html
Assisi Institute is where I studied for and received my certification as an Archetypal Pattern Analyst. Dr. Michael Conforti and his faculty offer courses in dream patterns, archetypal patterns in organizations, and on the New Science of Fields.
This year the Assisi Institute is launching a new initiative, Seeing Red: the Study, the Conference, the Difference. The Assisi Institute’s Seeing Red initiative is designed to facilitate a deep understanding of the archetypal roots of feminine oppression by integrating analytic and the artistic ideas and methods, in order to make room for a profound connection of individual women to themselves, and to the psyches and souls of women around the world. I will be presenting at the October 2016 Conference, and hope you will join me. Here is the link to the website: http://www.seeingredconference.com
Please contact me with any questions, thoughts, or suggestions about books, the arts, web resources. I would love to hear from you.