C.G. Jung Society, Seattle

Spring 2002 Events and News

The development of personality from the germ-state to full consciousness is at once a charisma and a curse, because its first fruit is the conscious and unavoidable segregation of the single individual from the undifferentiated and unconscious herd. This means isolation, and there is no more comforting word for it. Neither family nor society nor position can save him from this fate, nor yet the most successful adaptation to his environment, however smoothly he fits in. The development of personality is a favour that must be paid for dearly. To the man in the street it has always seemed miraculous that anyone should turn aside from the beaten track with its known destinations, and strike out on the steep and narrow path leading into the unknown. Hence it was always believed that such a man, if not actually crazy, was possessed by a daemon or a god; for the miracle of a man being able to act otherwise than as humanity has always acted could only be explained by the gift of daemonic power or divine spirit. .

— C.G. Jung, The Development of Personality, Collected Works Vol. 17, para.294, 298

The Christian during contemplation would never say "I am Christ," but will confess with Paul: "Not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal.2:20). Our sutra however, says: "Thou wilt know that thou art the Buddha." At bottom the two confessions are identical, in that the Buddhist only attains this knowledge when he is anatman, `without self.' But there is an immeasurable difference in the formulation. The Christian attains his end in Christ, the Buddhist knows he is the Buddha. The Christian gets out of the transitory and ego-bound world of consciousness, but the Buddhist still reposes on the eternal ground of his inner nature, whose oneness with Deity, or with universal Being, is confirmed in other Indian testimonies.

— C.G. Jung, "The Psychology of Eastern Meditation," Psychology and Religion: West and East,
Collected Works Vol. 11, para. 949

Jung Society Spring 2002 Events

President's Message

Our season has regained its vitality, and we've enjoyed some very good speakers. June Singer's weekend with us was a particularly special experience. We are grateful to Paul Collins for making available for us the facilities of Trinity Episcopal Church as well as his and his staff's support and hospitality.

Anne Arthur has agreed to be our next Newsletter Editor, with the continuing support of Kenji and Debra Tachibana; and Jim Huskey has also agreed to lend his abilities and experience. Thanks to you both, Anne and Jim.

Bunny Brown reports that over 50 entries for the Membership Directory have been received. Debra Tachibana will be editing it during the summer, and since there will not be another Newsletter before autumn; so please use the form in this edition and get your entry back to us as soon as possible.

Sharon Green has been hard at work lining up next season's speakers. Among them are Ann Ulanov in March 2003, and possibly Murray Stein. The others include Dyane Sherwood, who co-authored a book on alchemy with Joe Henderson, Marga Speicher, Gary Toub, Samuel Kimbles, and Cedrus Monte.

While the Society continues to thrive, I have a problem. How can I effectively express our need for volunteers? Bunny has been doubling up and handling the membership, and I have been taking care of the publicity. Both of these are vital functions that need individual attention. Membership involves using the computer file in the office, preparing mail, and recording replies. Publicity involves monthly Emails to publications plus preparing and mailing three or four posters to be displayed at appropriate locations. Within a monthly cycle, the hours are quite flexible.

I'm reminded of the Jack Benny radio shows of the 1940s. When he'd visit the railroad station the announcer could be heard plaintively and repeatedly calling, "Please, doesn't someone want to go to Anaheim, Azusa, or Cucamonga?" In those days these were small towns with funny sounding names, and it always drew a laugh (track). I feel like that announcer.

— John Krausser, President

Inside Pages

Be sure to view the Spring 2002 edition of Inside Pages (.pdf), as well as the special Inside Pages: In-Depth (.pdf) edition, only available on the Web.

Natural man is not a "self" — he is the mass and a particle in the mass, collective to such a degree that he is not even sure of his own ego. That is why since time immemorial he has needed the transformation mysteries to turn him into something, and to rescue him from the animal collective psyche, which is nothing but an assortment, a "variety performance."

— C.G. Jung, Psychology and Alchemy, Collected Works Vol. 12, para.104

Membership

In recent months membership activity has picked up. Lee Roloff, our featured March speaker, senior analyst, and Professor Emeritus of Northwestern University, joined at the Sustaining Level. Thank you Lee, for such a warm endorsement.

C.G. Jung Society, Seattle home page

Updated: 18 May 2002

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