A Jungian Approach to Three Life Themes

Course Description

You will enjoy the soulful insights and musings of Jan Bauer, as she guides you through what may seem like a labyrinth of topics. Yet, expect to emerge with a refreshing perspective on popular depth psychology themes. And a different perspective from which to view and approach a world irrevocably touched by a global pandemic.

The first class takes an in-depth look at the notion of loss of innocence through the Feminine Mysteries. In particular, Jan looks at the myth of Demeter and Persephone: their importance to the psyche of the ancient world and why the myth is so relevant to our own current-day lives. Like Persephone, we are kidnapped by crisis and like Demeter, we must find our way to renewal.

The second class is a shorter one, a respite from the depths. It offers a psychological reflection on the ins and outs of giving and receiving. It is a subject we are all having to cope with in this time of deprivation and isolation on the one hand, and solidarity and generosity on the other.

Then to conclude, a complete change of tone and scene. A discourse on the strange and surprisingly rich image of a humble garage. How the history of the garage parallels the history of psychoanalysis and how certain ‘garage’ issues lend themselves to our individuation.

This course is ideal if

• You want to expand your knowledge of mythology and psychology.
• You are interested in finally getting to grips with what that expression ‘loss of innocence’ actually entails.
• You enjoy exploring and finding psyche in surprising places.

Course Overview

Class 1. The Loss of Innocence, a Never-Ending Story

In this class we look deeply within and identify in ourselves our own parts of Demeter and Persephone, the mother and the daughter, the caretaker and the care-free. The concern with matter and the concern with psyche. We will explore how this myth looks in real life. From the initial loss of innocence to the feelings of anxiety, bleak despair, depression and anger, humor, gratitude and hope that we can all identify with across a span of 4,000 years as we navigate our own losses and wonderings during this time of global pandemic.

Class 2. It’s Better to Give than to Receive, or Is It?

The class explores some psychological and anthropological aspects to the simple act of giving and receiving and illustrates them with examples of real people dealing with the tension between the two in their own lives. According to conventional wisdom, it is better to give than to receive. But if so, that would make for a very unbalanced situation in which only givers would be esteemed while, in fact both giving and receiving are just two sides of the same archetypal coin. Yet time and again, people say it’s easy to give, hard to receive. Why? 

Class 3. Living Alone, Introversion, and the Psychology of the Garage

You might be surprised to know that the history of the literal garage exactly parallels the evolution and history of psychoanalysis. Both emerged in the early 20th century, both transformed our everyday landscape. The class will look at this historic pairing and ask just how the garage as symbol – outside the Mainstream – can be a place of individuation. It will present several versions of Jung’s notions of individuation and then several ‘garage’ subjects (such as living alone and introversion, among others) and see what it means to individuate from these marginal places.

By the end of this course you will

• Be exposed to the multiplicity and variety of psyche in all her infinite and timeless forms.
• Spend time in different places. From ancient Greece and 19th century Europe to 21st century Occident.
• Spend time with lofty thinkers like Jung, Sartre, and ordinary people who live alone. And even some who smoke.
• Recognize that individuation is not a code or a set of rules or a book of instruction. It is gloriously, generously individual and to know this is to embrace one’s own very individual Way.