In this lecture we will explore the Eightfold Path of Nonviolence as articulated in the book Archetypal Nonviolence: King, Jung and Culture Through the Eyes of Selma. The archetypal experience of nonviolence, when constellated, has the potential to transform violence both within the individual and the culture at large. Integrating the works of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and C. G. Jung with the history of the Civil Rights Movement from 1955-1965, Renée Cunningham will walk the audience through how non-violent principles were implemented in the Civil Rights movement. We will see how Martin Luther King, Jr. utilized Gandhi’s concepts of Satyagraha and Ahimsa, combined with his own tenets of faith, to confront and illuminate the national shadow of racism, thus expanding the nation’s conscience.

This seminar on The Practice of Spiritual Democracy is an opportunity to consolidate the teachings we have received over the previous two months of lectures and workshops. Facilitated by Seattle Jung Society Co-President Dr. Randy Morris (and possibly other contributors), we will review the key ideas from the series and then begin the work of integrating them into our personal individuation process.

Some questions we might engage include:

What does Spiritual Democracy mean to me? What forms of Spiritual Democracy practices are useful to me? How can these ideas and this learning community help me better understand my vocation and lead me to a life of personal meaning and ethical action in a distressed world? How is the practice of nonviolence an essential element of Spiritual Democracy? Can we understand how Spiritual Democracy “names the medicine that the Self awakens”?

Through discussion and small group work, we will explore the practice of Spiritual Democracy.

Our text is The Red Book: Liber Novus  A Reader’s Edition, by C.G. Jung. Edited and with an Introduction by Sonu Shamdasani. No advance reading is required. We will be reading and discussing the work in small, consecutive sections week by week, until we have completed the book. Our instructor Bette Joram will be the Zoom Host as well as record each session. All sessions will be recorded. The Jung Society has made this class simple and affordable in a way that supports the operations of the Jung Society. This is an ongoing class that folks can pay for per session. No one will be excluded due to inability to pay.

“…the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” – C.G. Jung

Our in-person discussion group continues to meet weekly on Saturday mornings 11:00am to 12:30pm in the Nancy Alvord Library, room 222 of the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle. Participants suggest and discuss a variety of Jungian and depth psychological topics and benefit from community connection. Please join us!

Contact Laura at arweninrivendell@gmail.com with any questions, or just drop by!

We look forward to seeing you.