Book Launching: Marked By Fire: Stories of the Jungian Way
On April 15, 2012, we will launch Marked by Fire: Stories of the Jungian Way at the C. G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. Authors include Henry Abramovitch, Jerome S. Bernstein, Patricia Damery, Claire Douglas, Gilda Frantz, Jacqueline Gerson, Sharon Heath, Jean Kirsch, Chie Lee, Naomi Lowinsky, Mel Mathews, Robert D. Romanyshyn, Dennis Slattery, and Karlyn M. Ward.
The idea for the book began two years ago when publisher Mel Mathews of Fisher King Press suggested that Naomi Lowinsky and I co-edit a collection by Jungian analysts and teachers. Naomi and I were in the early stages of planning a seminar on Jungian memoir writing, and this opportunity offered us an alternative venue. We considered authors whose work showed an ability to write personally about professional matters. Soon we had a list of eleven confirmed contributors, and with us, thirteen.
One author asked me, Why do you think there is so much energy among the authors around this book? I don’t know exactly but I have ideas. When we write personally about soulful experiences in our lives, energy comes. The stories are a testament to the resilience of the human soul. When we really live our lives, our lives find their natural shape, and fate becomes destiny. In the end, that is the only “Jungian” way, one unique to each of us, informed by getting to know our own inner the terrain and its connection to the larger psyche and world. This is what Jung modeled for us in the recently released The Red Book.
Not only are these personal stories but they are also told in context of the collective backdrop of history. Hitler’s rise spread analytical psychology throughout the world as Russian and German Jewish refugees fled Europe to Israel, United States, and Mexico. Some of these stories describe meaningful paths in the wake of such pain, chaos, and horror. Several paths evolved from life threatening illnesses and/or an early personal loss and descent, processed in poetry, dance, music, writing. Tensions are described as individuals suffer the poles of academia and art. Inner and outer teachers and mentors arrive, among these, C. G. Jung. Often the person is first introduced to Jung through Memories, Dreams, Reflections, or Man and His Symbols. A common theme is the courage to be open to direct experiences of the unconscious at those times all seems lost, finding a way and new direction through despair. The stories are informative, funny, poignant, and often with unexpected consequences.
If you are in the LA area, please plan to attend and hear these authors read excerpts from their lively narratives. Attached is a link to the location and time.
If you cannot attend you can order your copy of Marked by Fire: Stories of the Jungian Way at fisherkingpress.com or amazon.com.