Archive of Events - 2023

Friday 3rd February 2023

"Dog Story"
 Ressentiment in Aboriginal Mythology
Jung and the Alice Spring’s Dog Story in Conversation with Girard and Nietzsche:
a theoretical appraisal of the psycho-social dynamics of violence.

 Rev Dr Nikolai David Blaskow

at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham ACT (and by Zoom)

(See the video)

The lecture is inspired by the three-way conversation in 2000 concerning the Dog Story which led Craig San Roque, a Jungian psychologist to write down his reflections and collect them into a cartoon book, "The Long Weekend in Alice Springs".

Nikolai explores how Friedrich Nietzsche’s insights (1848-1900) into the psychopathology of ressentiment, René Girard’s mimetic and scapegoat theory (MT) and Carl Jung’s idea of cultural complexes (1875-1961) shed light on the dynamics of the recurring cycle of violence which have afflicted the human psyche since homo sapiens emerged from its previous proto-human beginnings.

This psychopathology will be discovered to be repetitive, autonomous and stubbornly resistant to consciousness. All three theorists will be harnessed to determine why the cycle of greed, deception (and self-deception) and violence, in Girard’s term of reference, the “scandal” that it is, is seemingly impossible to overcome.

In other words, how to bridge the reality gap contained in the oft repeated caveat, “This is not who we are but it is what we do.”

Dr Blaskow is an Adjunct Research Fellow associated with Charles Sturt University located in the Centre for Christianity and Culture. He recently completed his PhD in Philosophy and Religion at Bangor University, Wales, UK.

He has an extensive teaching background in English Literature, Modern and Ancient History and Philosophy in public and private schools in NSW, ACT and Victoria. He teaches English Literature part-time at Narrabundah College, Canberra. His current research is focused on the existential implications of Artificial Intelligence viewed through the lens of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1846-1900) and theorist René Girard (1923-2015).

We meet from 7:30 pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10 pm. 

(See the video)

 

SPECIAL SERIES:
Eight Sundays 26th Feb, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th March, 2nd, 9th, 23rd April (3-5pm)

"Adventures in Mindfulness Meditation"

 Kirstin Robertson-Gillam PhD

at Wesley Uniting Church (Vercoe Room), 22 National Crt, Forrest, ACT
(and each session will be available online through Zoom)

Participants will receive a copy of each week’s meditation and an audio recording of the meditation to practise with during the week.The weekly topics will include:
* body awareness,
* taste and smell,
* visualization and imagery,
* and emotional regulation.

Each session will begin with an introduction, then a meditation followed by mandala drawing, and a discussion over refreshments.
Dr Kirstin Robertson-Gillam is a specialised neurological counsellor and psychotherapist.  She has worked with Dementia Australia, Parkinson's NSW, and remains associated with the Parkinson's clinic at the Concord Hospital in Sydney.  Her private psychotherapy practice operates almost exclusively online with people around Australia.
Cost:
  * Single session: $20 per person per week
     Pay at the door by cash or credit card,
      or by bank transfer,
     or by credit card or PayPal via TryBooking.
  * Series Discount: $140 pre-paid for the eight sessions (Preferred option, for maximum enjoyment!)
     Pay at the door by cash or credit card,
     or by bank transfer,
    or by credit card or PayPal via TryBooking.

Bookings:
Phone/text Kirstin (0409) 533 466 or email kirstinrg@bigpond.com.

Friday 3rd March 2023
7:00 - 7:30 pm

 Canberra Jung Society Inc
Annual General Meeting and Election of Office Bearers
at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT

 

All financial members (from last year, or paid-up for this year), are welcome, and eligible to stand for office.
This is when you can nominate for an office-holder position (President, Secretary etc) or as a Committee Member.  You can nominate yourself or somebody else, by email (as below) or by contacting Secretary Trish on (0432) 599 826.

So this is a great time to renew your membership or join-up for the current year: Cost: is $75 ($60 Concession / Senior). This entitles you to free entry to monthly meetings, two newsletters per year, use of the library, and discount on cost of workshops etc.

Pay on the night, or any time by bank transfer or TryBooking.

This 7pm AGM will be quite short, leaving us time to chat, to meet the evening's presenter Theodora, peruse the library and meet the new Committee! There might be some celebratory bubblies and things at this auspicious event :-).

 Then, following the AGM, at the usual time 8pm,
we will have our usual monthly meeting, with a presentation by Theodora Volti (below).

Canberra Jung Society Inc.
Annual General Meeting 03/3/2023
Agenda

             1. Opening, Greetings
             2. Attendance:
             3. Apologies:
             4. Minutes of the 2022 AGM
             5. Business Arising
             6. Reports
                   a. President
                    b. Treasurer
                    c. Membership Sec.
                    d. Newsletter Editor
                    e. Public Officer
                    f. Librarian
                    g. Internet Manager

              7. Elections:
                 Appointment of Returning Officer, then:
                   a. President
                    b. Vice President
                    c. Secretary
                    d. Treasurer
                    e. Membership Secretary
                    f. Newsletter Editor
                    g. Librarian
                    h. Public Officer
                    i. Committee members
                    j. Appointment of Auditor.

             8. General Business
              9. Closure:         



Friday 3rd March 2023   (after the AGM)

"Self and Ego: a Personal Encounter"

 Dr Theodora Volti

<See the video!>

at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT (and by Zoom)

Theodora has been interested in Jung’s ideas since she was in college.

She says: "Being naturally anxious to achieve and perform, the idea of finding inner peace within one’s psyche appealed greatly to me. But I had not the slightest idea how this could be achieved. Till then, it was all theory, discussions, ‘intuitive’ understanding and an ‘inner’ conviction that Jung’s ideas must be true in their essence.

What was lacking for me was the concrete experience of these ideas. It is said that when you want something very much it happens! In this talk I will try to recreate the atmosphere of that wintry month in Edinburgh, what preceded and what followed and the meaning I gave to it.

This was a time where the Ego created space, giving way to an emerging, larger entity and eventually realised its smallness. This was a time where the sense of the ‘unfulfilled’ became so urgent that it took on a life of its own, presented out by dreams, images, symbols, metaphors, directions and surprises."

Theodora Volti was born in Athens, Greece, where she lived during her first 20 years.  She studied geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and also worked as a researcher in Japan and Australia.  Five years ago she had a change in career, moving into counselling and psychotherapy and became a qualified Gestalt therapist.  Theodora has extensive knowledge of psychology, and five years experience of offering advice and support to parents, children, young people, students and victims of sexual assault.

Cost for attendance (at MacKillop House):
Jung Society members free,
Guests $15 (Seniors/Concession $10),
Pay cash at the door, or by bank transfer or by credit card via TryBooking.

 Cost for on-line access:
 Jung Society members free (We'll send you a link).
Guests $10:
Pay by bank transfer or by credit card or PayPal via TryBooking.

 We meet from 7:30 pm (after the 7pm AGM) for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10pm.

<See the video!>

Friday 31st March 2023 (Shifted from Good Friday 7th April)

"Dadirri - Deep Listening"

Carolyn Minchin

 at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham ACT (and by Zoom)

<See the video>

<Download Carolyn's Powerpoint presentation>

Dadirri, or deep listening, is an ancient wisdom practice renewed in contemporary Indigenous culture by Aunty Miriam Rose Ungunmerr Baumann (Nauiyu Elder and Senior Australian of the Year 2021). Dadirri helps us to understand how to walk between worlds and connect with our deeper purpose in life, through listening and finding our connection to nature and community.
https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/

 The Miriam Rose Foundation (MRF) supports and encourages education and inspires creativity and self-expression through a series of programs inside and outside of the local community.

Mindfulness is increasingly accepted as the foundation for contemporary evidence-based therapeutic practice. Indigenous mental health leader Ken Zulomovski makes the case that the lack of recognition of Indigenous culture creates an 'elephant in the room' which can only be overcome through real dialogue and recognition of thousands of years of wisdom practice. This workshop explores the synergies across cultures and acknowledges the gift of Dadirri, deep listening, through the encountering work of Miriam Rose Ungunmerr Baumann.

Workshop participants will be able to experience Dadirri based on the Gamarada Community Healing group practice, and will be guided in a gentle dialogue to explore connections between Jung's understanding of the numinous and Indigenous practice wisdom. Jung defines numinous as "inexpressible, mysterious, terrifying, directly experienced, and pertaining only to the divinity" (Jung, 1963).

Dadirri, deep listening, provides guidance for being present, listening, connecting to country, understanding seasonal change, understanding the connection between people and being connected, knowing how to grieve and pay respect when people pass, knowing what to do, and when (Ungunmerr Baumann, A Journey Through Listening, Darwin 2011). Dadirri provides an experiential framework for approaching cross-cultural awareness with respect for the trauma of colonisation and the need for trauma-responsive dialogue.

 Carolyn Minchin (they/she) is a graduate of Education at the University of Canberra and a Master of Social Work at Charles Sturt University. As a volunteer community social worker with the Gamarada Indigenous Community Healing group in Redfern, Carolyn works to build a bridge between Indigenous practice wisdom and evidence-based practice and is training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, (DBT) a behavioural approach to therapy with people at risk of suicide and self-harm.

Cost for attendance (at MacKillop House):
Jung Society members free,
Guests $15 (Seniors/Concession $10),
Pay cash at the door, or by bank transfer or by credit card via TryBooking.

Cost for on-line access:
Jung Society members free (We'll send you a link).
Guests $10:
Pay by bank transfer or by credit card or PayPal via TryBooking.

We meet from 7:30 pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10pm.

<See the video>

<Download Carolyn's Powerpoint presentation>

Friday 5th May 2023

"Holistic Thinking: Jung's Ethical Worldview"

 Robbie Tulip

 at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT (and by Zoom)

 <See the video>

A reason why the psychology of Carl Jung encounters such contrasting receptions is his holistic philosophy, his assumption that a connection between the individual and the whole of reality at various levels makes an essential systematic contribution to mental health and therapy.

This holistic approach led Jung to explore topics such as the spiritual analysis of symbols and the totality of the Self. His methods are widely seen as of little use within clinical psychology and broader scientific communities, but are respected by alternative traditions as having valuable ethical and psychological insights.

This clash of cultural perspectives over the scholarly and professional worth of Jung’s work reveals underlying differences in theory of knowledge and practical priorities, with ethical and moral implications. I will argue that Jung’s holistic spiritual ideas affirm and support cultural identity and diversity, and have important broader moral benefits, while rejection of these ideas can support a more narrow and exclusive way of thinking. Holism can affect views on a wide range of fields, including climate change, theology, cosmology and ecology, offering conceptual grounding for practical visions of reform and transformation.

Robbie Tulip manages the Chaplaincy at the Australian National University, coordinates the Australian Student Christian Movement
and writes on strategic concerns around climate change and religion. He has a Master of Arts Honours Degree for a thesis on The Place of Ethics in Heidegger’s Ontology.


 <See the video> 

Friday 2nd June 2023

"Symbolism of the Tarot: Central Themes in Dr Jung's Thinking,
such as Synchronicity, the Unus Mundus and the Kabbalah"

Terry Curtin

<See the Video>

at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT (and by Zoom)

Symbolism in the Tarot.  Focusing on the Tarot Major Arcana XIX (21) card, The Sun, Terry will offer comment on central themes in Dr Jung’s thinking such as Synchronicity, the Unus Mundus and The Kabbalah. 

The Tarot offers a way for us to dialogue with our soul. The images on the Tarot cards represent archetypal influences in our spiritual journey. Reading the cards helps us understand where we are on our journey and what life decisions we should make to keep us on track.

This is soul work, work of the psyche, guardian of our unique life code.

 We will get started on how to read the cards and perhaps derive new perspectives on existing skills!
Contact: Terry Curtin, (0427) 751 605, talcurt@bipond.com
Jung Society member Terry Curtin (BA, BTheology, MA,Theology Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling)  Presenter of “Carl Jung and Meister Eckhart” and “Carl Jung and the Sacred Marriage” Canberra Jung Society Archives 6/9/19 and 4/2/22.  Many years experience working with tarot and as a counsellor 

Cost for attendance (at MacKillop House):
Jung Society members free,
Guests $15 (Seniors/Concession $10),
Pay cash at the door, or by bank transfer or by credit card via TryBooking.

Cost for on-line access:
Jung Society members free (We'll send you a link).
Guests $10:
Pay by bank transfer or by credit card or PayPal via TryBooking.

We meet from 7:30 pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10pm. 

<See the Video>

Special Event:

TAROT Workshop Series

Five Sundays: 21st May, 4th, 18th, 25th June and 2nd July 2023  (3:00 - 4:30 pm)

Terry Curtin
at Wesley Uniting Church (Vercoe Room), 22 National Crt, Forrest, ACT

 

This is soul work, work of the psyche, guardian of our unique life code. The Tarot offers a way for us to dialogue with our soul.

The images on the Tarot cards represent archetypal influences in our spiritual journey. Reading the cards helps us understand where we are on our journey and what life decisions we should make to keep us on track.

The workshop will get you started on how to read the cards or perhaps give new perspectives on existing skills.  

For any “seeker” whether from any religious denomination or none. 

Terry Curtin (BA, BTheology, MA,Theology Diploma of Transpersonal Counselling)  was Presenter of “Carl Jung and Meister Eckhart” and “Carl Jung and the Sacred Marriage” Canberra Jung Society Archives 6/9/19 and 4/2/22.  Many years experience working with tarot and as a counsellor.
Terry Curtin, (0427) 751 605, talcurt@bipond.com 

Friday 7th July 2023

"The Experience of Beauty in Psychotherapy"

 Dr David Russell

 <See the video>

at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT (and by Zoom)

It is our obsession with the self that ironically preclude beauty. We are touched by the experience of beauty yet it plays no role in theories of psychology or in therapeutic practice. How come?

The field of psychotherapy is characterised by an intense subjectivity of self-reflection. The mirror has become a favourite metaphor as we focus, almost as an obsession, on one’s identity. Narcissism has become the epidemic of our time. No surprise there.

 The mythic story of Echo and Narcissus provides us with a meditation on the experience of beauty. These two anima/dream figures are an archetypal force in our lives. They offer the potential for greater aliveness in all that we do.

 My intention is to link the experience of beauty with the experience of soul and thus with the experience of depression. My working hypothesis is that depression is soul telling the person that it is in need of attention. Not just any sort of attention.
Rather, the need is for a very particular manner of attending. And as such it has the potential to express a particular energy. James Hillman puts it this way:
“It is only when [one] breaks down, when depression comes in, and you can’t get up and do it. When impotence happens and you can’t get on with it. When you feel beaten, oppressed, knocked back … then something moves and you begin to feel yourself as a soul. You don’t feel yourself as a soul when you’re making it and doing it.” (Hillman, in Inter Views with Laura Pozzo, 1983. P. 11)

 While I tend to reference psychotherapy, this talk is equally applicable to every-day life.

David Russell is a past president of the Sydney Jung Society. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies and research in psychology at the University of Sydney. Here he was introduced to the writings of Sigmund Freud (unusual for a Department of Psychology) and developed an ongoing enthusiasm for the history and philosophy of psychology.

After a few years in private practice he moved into an academic career, which culminated in the establishment of the Master of Analytical Psychology degree at the University of Western Sydney. David has currently returned to private practice in Sydney CBD.

 We meet from 7:30 pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10pm.

<See the video>

SPECIAL SATURDAY WORKSHOP:

 Saturday 8th July 2023  9:30am - 3:00 pm  (Including Lunchies!)

"Carl Jung and the Healing Archetype
Being Touched and Touching"

Dr David Russell

 at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT only - NOT accessible by ZOOM :-(

 In Greek medicine there were two archetypal themes: Hippocrates under the patronage of the sky-god Zeus and Asclepius under the patronage of the earth-god Chiron, half human and half horse.

Another way of seeing this manifestation is to see the bi-polar nature of the healing archetype with Zeus and Chiron being the two pure forms.

Modern medicine including modern psychology has followed the path of Hippocrates and has done so in such a single-minded manner that it has totally excluded Asclepius.

My contention is, following Jung, that an over reliance on consciousness as expressed only in our thoughts, tell us that we are out-of-touch.

What consciousness refuses to acknowledge, the body always manifests. In the words of an important book, The body keeps the score!

The over reliance on the sky-god, on just empirical medicine, has led to the treatment model at the expense of a touching, a being-in-touch model.

The temple of Asclepius, the earth-god, has been abandoned in favour of the physician’s clinic.
Through symbolism, through the life of the soul, Jung brought his sensuousness/sensibility into his clinical work. He could see, hear, smell the other.

The Jungian scholar, Ginette Paris, writes:
“Just as the body needs warmth, nourishment, and protection, the psyche needs an atmosphere where the heart finds its niche, its nest, and its rest. This is usually called ‘tenderness’. Without the capacity of humans to provide tender care to each other, the human race would have become extinct. … A culture that separates people into ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ generates the kind of acute anxiety that is a rising phenomenon in all advanced cultures.” G. Paris, Wisdom of the Psyche, p.121

My example of the wounded healer archetype comes from the Biblical story in the Book of Genesis. The focus of the story is Jacob wrestling in a hand-to-hand struggle with an angel. This embodied encounter is touch, big-time.

While this workshop references the practice of psychotherapy the theme and content are equally applicable to ever-day life.


An aim of the day is to maximise interaction, so plenty of time for discussion.
*** Snacks and lunch is included! ***

Dr David Russell is a past president of the Sydney Jung Society. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies and research in psychology at the University of Sydney. Here he was introduced to the writings of Sigmund Freud (unusual for a Department of Psychology) and developed an ongoing enthusiasm for the history and philosophy of psychology.

After a few years in private practice, David moved into an academic career, which culminated in the establishment of the Master of Analytical Psychology degree at the University of Western Sydney. David has currently returned to private practice in Sydney CBD.

Friday 4th August 2023,

 John Gillam brings us:

"ChatGPT Unleashed: a Jungian Perspective"
 

at MacKillop House, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham, ACT (and by Zoom)
*  Video recording

*  PDF file (to print)

ChatGPT burst into the public's attention with its groundbreaking launch in November 2022. Setting itself apart from conventional search results, ChatGPT revolutionised the user experience by providing fully customised responses to queries, rather than a mere list of documents. As industry giants like Google and Microsoft scramble to catch up, a crucial question emerges: How do we navigate this era of personalised information?

Explore the captivating parallels between ChatGPT and Jung's concept of the collective unconscious. Just as Jung posited a deep layer of shared symbols, archetypes, and experiences beneath our individual consciousness, ChatGPT draws from a vast repository of information, reflecting the collective knowledge and experiences of humanity. However, a significant challenge remains—many reputable academic journals and esteemed newspapers remain locked behind paywalls, creating the risk of unintentionally perpetuating biases or propagating falsehoods.

Embrace the wisdom of Jung and approach ChatGPT with mindfulness. Discover profound insights and connections at the intersection of AI technology and human psychology. By integrating Jung's concepts into our interactions with ChatGPT, we navigate this transformative landscape with awareness, fostering genuine connections, and expanding the boundaries of human consciousness.

Join us as John Gillam delves into this captivating subject, exploring the implications and ramifications of ChatGPT on the ever-evolving landscape of human communication. Be part of this enlightening discussion that delves into the depths of ChatGPT’s impact on our lives.

John Gillam is a retired librarian and technology innovations officer with the National Library of Australia. He played a crucial role in the preservation of decaying celluloid films in the national collection by working on the introduction of videodisc recording.

John contributed to cost reduction efforts through the introduction of an online national shared bibliographic database of publications. Later, he devoted a decade to working on the team that developed the Australian national satellite system, which ultimately led to his appointment as the manager for Europe for a leading Australian telecommunications company.
In retirement, John's passion for innovation persists. He remains actively engaged in the landscape of computerised translation services and has immersed himself in the captivating realm of ChatGPT.

We meet from 7:30 pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.
The Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so,
then we resume for questions and discussion, finishing by 10pm.

* Video recording
* PDF file (to print)

 

Vale Dr Paul Ruefli


Ivan Ruefli has written to us as follows:

Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you have already been contacted with sad news of the passing of Dr Paul Ruefli,
a wonderful Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather and Friend.

Obituary:
Here is an obituary Craig San Roque kindly submitted to ANZSJA.