All Programs

The Seventh Seal (1957) | Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Viewing facilitated by Michael Klimov
Free for Members and Non-Members, No Pre-Registration Required
Zoom link to watch: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86568772603?pwd=Tk1mb0I1TUFsMFUwME5paEJJSjQzZz09

Ingmar Bergman, named the world’s greatest filmmaker by Time magazine in 2005, is considered a cinematic master of 20^th century existential psychology. He is recognized for his tremendous impact on the history of cinema. One of his best films, The Seventh Seal is described by cinema critic Sven Mikulee as a “masterful, uncompromising exhibition of filmmaking vision and craft.” Mattia Bonasia in his article “The Seventh Seal: analysis and meanings of Ingmar Bergman’s movie” writes: “More than just a film, The Seventh Seal is a complex work that wonders about the true sense of being in the world, and does it substantially without taking positions: it paints in a gigantic fresco all the different human figures”. We can draw many parallels between our present-day society afflicted by the COVID pandemic in a time of crisis, and the atmosphere of fear and helplessness, loss of meaning of life in the plague-stricken medieval society in Bergman’s powerful, insightful, philosophical, psychological, and beautifully-designed cinematic masterpiece. Bergman claims that making The Seventh Seal cured his intense fear of death. Perhaps watching and discussing the film together will help us face and integrate our own fears and shadows.

Facilitated by Jeffrey Pinnette
Third Sunday every Month:
Starting September 20, 2020
10 am to 12 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88486208410?pwd=aldSV25kaWJkVm1OYU5SQ2Qxc2kzZz09

FREE for members; No pre-registration is necessary

Required Text: Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature (2005) by Ian McCallum

This discussion group will explore the concept of Ecological Intelligence through Ian McCallum’s book entitled Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature.

A bestseller in Africa, Ecological Intelligence addresses the interconnectedness of all living things, drawing significantly on the author’s Jungian background. McCallum has stated the intent of the book is “toward a greater awareness of the privilege of what it means to be human…it is a wild and ethical imperative – an urgent reminder that we are inextricably linked to the land; that the history of every living creature is within us; that we are above all a mindful, poetic species and that we are the “keepers of our zoo”. If we cannot accept this then we will continue to be the creatures of our own undoing.” The book reflects on the evolution of life; the development of emotions, language, and consciousness; fields of influence; and a concept of ecological intelligence that is closely linked to a spiritual and poetic approach to our place in the natural order.

Ian McCallum is a Jungian analyst, medical doctor, wilderness guide, and poet – as well as a director of the Wilderness Foundation. He is the author of two anthologies of wilderness poems: Wild Gifts (1999), Untamed (2012) and a novel Thorns to Kilimanjaro (2000).

In this discussion group, we’ll read the book together during each session with no reading assignments.

Jeffrey Pinnette is the facilitator for this discussion group. He is a long-term Jung Center member and currently serves on the Center’s Board as the Program Committee chair. He lives in Topsham.

Mythical Consciousness and its Reflection in the Russian Folk Tale “Ryaba the Hen”
Michael Klimov

Saturday, April 24, 2021
9:30 to 11:30 am
Held Online via Zoom (link to go out to registrants on April 23)
Members $15, Non-Members $20

In The Interpretation of Fairy Tales, Marie-Louise von Franz writes “our interpretations are relative and not absolute. But we interpret for the same reason as that for which fairy tales and myths were told: because it has a vivifying effect and gives satisfactory reaction and brings one into peace with one’s unconscious instinctive substratum, just as the telling of fairy tales always did.” Michael Klimov will demonstrate how mythical consciousness emerges in “Ryaba the Hen”, among the most famous Russian folk tales and among the first that children of the Russian-speaking world learn.

Michael Klimov, MA, holds a master’s degree in Foreign Languages (English and French) from Kyiv National Linguistic University, Ukraine, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Modern Languages degree in Russian and French through Middlebury College in Vermont. This presentation is related to Klimov’s dissertation research on mythical consciousness in Russian fairy tales. Michael Klimov has been a member of the Maine Jung Center for a number of years, and has always appreciated its intellectual, welcoming, inspirational, and healing atmosphere.

Facilitated by Mary Kelley
Last Sunday of every Month:
Continuing January 31, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83520116849?pwd=L3kxSFVHYytZRlBTaG1VaE8zWEJxdz09

FREE for members and non-members; No pre-registration is necessary
(Donations Graciously Accepted)

We will explore fairy tales from around the world to see what we can learn about how these timeless tales illuminate psychic processes. Hearing and reading the stories can be entertaining and soothing. Interpreting them can unearth kernels of truth. Participants are encouraged to bring their love of stories.

Mary Kelley is a local psychotherapist, and a former member of the Maine Jung Center Board of Directors. She recently taught a class at the Center “Understanding Ourselves Through Fairy Tales”.

On Divine Darkness: Pseudo-Dionysius, Jung, and the Apophatic Tradition
Cybele Brandow

Sundays, May 2 & 9, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held Online via Zoom (link to go out to registrants on May 1)
Members $30, Non-Members $40

Pseudo-Dionysius, a Byzanto-Syriac mystic writing around the late 5th, early 6th centuries CE, is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the apophatic tradition (from apophasis: apo– “away/from” and –phasis “assertion/saying”, often translated as “denial” or “unsaying”). And how fitting that one who wrote so eloquently on what cannot be known, is themself yet unknown — a pseudonymous author of many plausible, though unconfirmed identities. Perhaps a Byzantine princess of the Theodosian dynasty. Perhaps a Syrian monk, pupil of the famed Neoplatonist Proclus. Pseudo-Dionysius’s works have had a profound influence on many in the western contemplative tradition, including St. Thomas Aquinas, Nicholas of Cusa, and Meister Eckhart. Jung himself referenced the works of Pseudo-Dionysius in his publications and notes, and kept two copies of the elusive writer’s collected works in his library.

In this short two-part course we will first explore the connections between Jung and Pseudo-Dionysius, both direct and indirect, as well as provide meaningful examples of apophatic elements in their writings. In the second session we will read and experience The Mystical Theology of Pseudo-Dionysius, one of the greatest and most succinctly beautiful works of western mysticism. By breathing life anew into the text, perhaps we shall find it a welcome co-conspirator and suitable respite-house to inspire our own efforts to meet the unmeetable; to shape the unshapen, but shaping; to behold with wonder and awe the vast and subtle paradox of the light which is deepest dark, and the dark which is hyper-luminescent.

Lead us up beyond unknowing and light,
up to the farthest, highest peak
of mystic scripture,
where the mysteries of God’s Word
lie simple, absolute and unchangeable
in the [hyper-luminescent] darkness of a hidden silence.
Amid the deepest shadow
they pour overwhelming light
on what is most manifest.
Amid the wholly unsensed and unseen
they completely fill our sightless minds
with treasures beyond all beauty.

~ Pseudo-Dionysius, The Mystical Theology

Cybele Brandow is a student of late antique Christian mysticism, biblical and general hermeneutics, and tarot. During their time in academia, they presented several papers on Pseudo-Dionysius, particularly around the concepts of evil and metaphor. They are the current Coordinator of the Maine Jung Center as well as a writer of children’s nonsense literature. Cybele lives in South Portland atop a hill and is a devout admirer of their Seussian bungalow’s resident tortie, Persephone (‘Persy’ for short).

Big Dreams, Visions, and Active Imagination: Encounters with the Numinous
Chris Beach

Tuesdays, May 11, 18, & 25, 2021
6:30 to 8:30 pm
Held Online via Zoom (link to go out to registrants on May 10)
Members $50, Non-Members $60

Life offers moments of what Rudolf Otto called the “numinous” — extraordinary encounters with the Holy Other. Invoking awe and dread, fascination and calling, these moments can prompt us to find new meaning and affect how we live life forward. Twelve-step programs’ reliance upon a Higher Power is but one indication of the significance of the numinous in healing.

We will examine three kinds of numinous experiences that are inner in nature: big dreams (of great importance individually or collectively), visions (as if we are dreaming while awake), and active imagination (C. G. Jung’s method of engaging the unconscious in order to learn from it). We will examine experiences from the lives of historical figures, such as Jung, Hildegard von Bingen, and Black Elk, as well as from the lives of our contemporaries and from our own lives.

Chris Beach, JD, IAAP, has a private practice in Portland, Maine. He works with individuals, facilitates dream groups, and teaches courses on dream interpretation, psychological type, Jungian psychology, active imagination, and ethics. Formerly, Chris served first as a teacher and headmaster in Kenya and later as a Maine assistant attorney general covering healthcare matters involving the law.

Facilitated by Jeffrey Pinnette
Third Sunday every Month:
Starting September 20, 2020
10 am to 12 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88486208410?pwd=aldSV25kaWJkVm1OYU5SQ2Qxc2kzZz09

FREE for members; No pre-registration is necessary

Required Text: Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature (2005) by Ian McCallum

This discussion group will explore the concept of Ecological Intelligence through Ian McCallum’s book entitled Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature.

A bestseller in Africa, Ecological Intelligence addresses the interconnectedness of all living things, drawing significantly on the author’s Jungian background. McCallum has stated the intent of the book is “toward a greater awareness of the privilege of what it means to be human…it is a wild and ethical imperative – an urgent reminder that we are inextricably linked to the land; that the history of every living creature is within us; that we are above all a mindful, poetic species and that we are the “keepers of our zoo”. If we cannot accept this then we will continue to be the creatures of our own undoing.” The book reflects on the evolution of life; the development of emotions, language, and consciousness; fields of influence; and a concept of ecological intelligence that is closely linked to a spiritual and poetic approach to our place in the natural order.

Ian McCallum is a Jungian analyst, medical doctor, wilderness guide, and poet – as well as a director of the Wilderness Foundation. He is the author of two anthologies of wilderness poems: Wild Gifts (1999), Untamed (2012) and a novel Thorns to Kilimanjaro (2000).

In this discussion group, we’ll read the book together during each session with no reading assignments.

Jeffrey Pinnette is the facilitator for this discussion group. He is a long-term Jung Center member and currently serves on the Center’s Board as the Program Committee chair. He lives in Topsham.

Mystic Tibet: An Outer, Inner and Secret Pilgrimage (2007) | Directed by Christina Lundberg
Viewing facilitated by Andreea Paine
Free for Members and Non-Members, No Pre-Registration Required
Zoom link to watch: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83873210220?pwd=bWNKU2hOckZkRDBvOEdJYW5ab0pZZz09

In 2002, a group of exceptional people from around the world signed up to explore the country that is home of the Dalai Lamas. Guided by the renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the pilgrims found themselves engaged in a rare and powerful experience — one in which the realms of great yogis and saints were revealed and personal transformation beckoned closer each day on the trail. This intense journey takes one directly into the culture of Tibet and its arresting, spiritually-rich landscape in a way that is not often seen.

Facilitated by Mary Kelley
Last Sunday of every Month:
Continuing January 31, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83520116849?pwd=L3kxSFVHYytZRlBTaG1VaE8zWEJxdz09

FREE for members and non-members; No pre-registration is necessary
(Donations Graciously Accepted)

We will explore fairy tales from around the world to see what we can learn about how these timeless tales illuminate psychic processes. Hearing and reading the stories can be entertaining and soothing. Interpreting them can unearth kernels of truth. Participants are encouraged to bring their love of stories.

Mary Kelley is a local psychotherapist, and a former member of the Maine Jung Center Board of Directors. She recently taught a class at the Center “Understanding Ourselves Through Fairy Tales”.

David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (2020) | Directed by Alastair Fothergill et. al.
Viewing facilitated by Jeff Pinnette
Free for Members and Non-Members, No Pre-Registration Required
Zoom link to watch: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87932701405?pwd=NEorODNUeVBXcnhOZ2lHWklHMkdvUT09

One man has seen more of the natural world than any other. This unique feature documentary is his witness statement. In his 93 years, David Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the living world in all its variety and wonder. Now, for the first time he reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has seen. Honest, revealing and urgent, David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet is a powerful first-hand account of humanity’s impact on nature and a message of hope for future generations.

Major Spring Program 2021 – Donald Kalsched
A Depth-Psychological Approach to the Current Malaise in American Social, Cultural, and Political Life

(Lecture) Friday, June 11, 2021; 7 to 9 pm
Members $15, Non-Members $20
Held Online via Zoom (link will be emailed to registrants on June 10)

(Workshop) Saturday, June 12, 2021; 9 am to 12 pm
Members $25, Non-Members $30
Held Online via Zoom (link will be emailed to registrants on June 11)

The fiery trial through which we are passing as a nation has its roots in deep traumatic injuries to our personal and collective psyches as a people. These injuries, and the fear they generate, are very difficult for us to confront and metabolize on a personal level and even more difficult to understand and heal collectively. They lead to what Robert J. Lifton called our “national reality disorder” with its distrust of scientific facts, its refusal to acknowledge the country’s underlying racism, its denial of the rapidly accelerating climate disaster — even the reality of our recent election.

Depth Psychology has much to contribute to an enhanced understanding of the painful realities that we confront and our primitive defenses against them. Through this understanding, we are also made aware of effective ways of healing the current splitting and polarization that are fragmenting our society.

Dr. Kalsched will focus on four aspects of our current polarization and fragmentation:
1. The intersection of collective and personal trauma in the Coronavirus pandemic;
2. Climate change denial and the contributions of Depth Psychology;
3. Authoritarianism and the threat to our Democracy; and
4. Love and grief as we emerge from the turmoil of our recent Election.

The workshop will provide the opportunity for more in-depth discussion by participants on each issue.

Donald Kalsched, PhD, IAAP, is a Jungian psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist. He is a senior faculty member and supervisor with the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, and teaches and leads workshops nationally and internationally. His celebrated book, The Inner World of Trauma: Archetypal Defenses of the Personal Spirit, explores the interface between contemporary psychoanalytic theory and Jungian theory as it relates to clinical work with survivors of early childhood trauma. His recent book, Trauma and the Soul: A Psycho-Spiritual Approach to Human Development and its Interruption, explores the mystical dimensions of clinical work with trauma-survivors.

Facilitated by Jeffrey Pinnette
Third Sunday every Month:
Starting September 20, 2020
10 am to 12 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88486208410?pwd=aldSV25kaWJkVm1OYU5SQ2Qxc2kzZz09

FREE for members; No pre-registration is necessary

Required Text: Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature (2005) by Ian McCallum

This discussion group will explore the concept of Ecological Intelligence through Ian McCallum’s book entitled Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature.

A bestseller in Africa, Ecological Intelligence addresses the interconnectedness of all living things, drawing significantly on the author’s Jungian background. McCallum has stated the intent of the book is “toward a greater awareness of the privilege of what it means to be human…it is a wild and ethical imperative – an urgent reminder that we are inextricably linked to the land; that the history of every living creature is within us; that we are above all a mindful, poetic species and that we are the “keepers of our zoo”. If we cannot accept this then we will continue to be the creatures of our own undoing.” The book reflects on the evolution of life; the development of emotions, language, and consciousness; fields of influence; and a concept of ecological intelligence that is closely linked to a spiritual and poetic approach to our place in the natural order.

Ian McCallum is a Jungian analyst, medical doctor, wilderness guide, and poet – as well as a director of the Wilderness Foundation. He is the author of two anthologies of wilderness poems: Wild Gifts (1999), Untamed (2012) and a novel Thorns to Kilimanjaro (2000).

In this discussion group, we’ll read the book together during each session with no reading assignments.

Jeffrey Pinnette is the facilitator for this discussion group. He is a long-term Jung Center member and currently serves on the Center’s Board as the Program Committee chair. He lives in Topsham.

Facilitated by Mary Kelley
Last Sunday of every Month:
Continuing January 31, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83520116849?pwd=L3kxSFVHYytZRlBTaG1VaE8zWEJxdz09

FREE for members and non-members; No pre-registration is necessary
(Donations Graciously Accepted)

We will explore fairy tales from around the world to see what we can learn about how these timeless tales illuminate psychic processes. Hearing and reading the stories can be entertaining and soothing. Interpreting them can unearth kernels of truth. Participants are encouraged to bring their love of stories.

Mary Kelley is a local psychotherapist, and a former member of the Maine Jung Center Board of Directors. She recently taught a class at the Center “Understanding Ourselves Through Fairy Tales”.

Facilitated by Mary Kelley
Last Sunday of every Month:
Continuing January 31, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83520116849?pwd=L3kxSFVHYytZRlBTaG1VaE8zWEJxdz09

FREE for members and non-members; No pre-registration is necessary
(Donations Graciously Accepted)

We will explore fairy tales from around the world to see what we can learn about how these timeless tales illuminate psychic processes. Hearing and reading the stories can be entertaining and soothing. Interpreting them can unearth kernels of truth. Participants are encouraged to bring their love of stories.

Mary Kelley is a local psychotherapist, and a former member of the Maine Jung Center Board of Directors. She recently taught a class at the Center “Understanding Ourselves Through Fairy Tales”.

Facilitated by Mary Kelley
Last Sunday of every Month:
Continuing January 31, 2021
2 to 4 pm
Held online via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83520116849?pwd=L3kxSFVHYytZRlBTaG1VaE8zWEJxdz09

FREE for members and non-members; No pre-registration is necessary
(Donations Graciously Accepted)

We will explore fairy tales from around the world to see what we can learn about how these timeless tales illuminate psychic processes. Hearing and reading the stories can be entertaining and soothing. Interpreting them can unearth kernels of truth. Participants are encouraged to bring their love of stories.

Mary Kelley is a local psychotherapist, and a former member of the Maine Jung Center Board of Directors. She recently taught a class at the Center “Understanding Ourselves Through Fairy Tales”.