Books

THE ART OF INQUIRY: A DEPTH PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

At some point in our lives nearly all of us have been naturally inquisitive. “Why?” is a favorite question of toddlers, and in their voices one hears a genuine curiosity rarely satisfied with that staple adult answer, “Because.” Depending on how much time and energy one has, a child’s endless curiosity can be tedious, annoying, or a thing of wonder. This book is written on behalf of the wondrous nature of inquiry. Its guiding spirit is the archetypal child, who continues asking questions for the sheer delight of exploration and discovery.

Inquiry, as we present it in this book, is more than asking questions. It is an active, reciprocal relationship with the world that can last through the completion of a creative project but can also endure for a lifetime. This relationship is often expressed in two distinctive postures that anyone engaged in inquiry can adopt — seeking knowledge and being receptive to knowledge that seeks us…”

“Writers weave nets of gold again and again to capture beauty. Beauty will not stay, but the net remains, a trued work revealing the marriage of effort and inspiration.”

“What we touch, touches us, infusing our thinking and writing.”

“Words seek us out for their own purpose.”


PSYCHE’S KNIFE: ARCHETYPAL EXPLORATIONS OF LOVE AND POWER

Eros and Psyche is a love story between a mortal girl, Psyche, and an immortal god, Eros, so right away we know something: they’re going to have relationship problems. Perhaps that’s one reason the story has endured. Relationship problems are universal. Another reason is that Psyche, a naïve and vulnerable girl, is so very human in her complexity and inconsistency. She is tender and ruthless, timid and bold, perceptive and naïve, vulnerable and strong. She acts boldly and regrets her action; she fails to act and feels incompetent; she is confused one moment and clear the next; she exhibits extraordinary faith then endures deep periods of despair. In other words, Psyche is like most of us…

In the end, I cherish this story for one reason. It has taught me a living truth, as true today as it was 2,000 years ago: conflict is evidence that two individuals are engaged in an authentic relationship. Faithful lovers are also worthy adversaries and, when wholeness is called for, beloved enemies

“Faithful lovers are also worthy adversaries and, when wholeness is called for, beloved enemies.”

“What someone loves reveals their values. How they love reveals their character.”

“Choosing not to fight when you are prepared to do so is not weakness, it is wisdom.”


Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies

The Journal, published once per year by the Jungian Society for Scholarly Studies (JSSS), is a compilation of peer-reviewed scholarly essays interspersed with original art and poetry. Commencing with the 2018 issue, I became the general editor, heading up a talented team of individuals who works diligently to produce beautiful and eloquent academic work.

I relish this opportunity to promote the Journal of Jungian Scholarly Studies on my website and share the creativity of its talented contributors. 

“In giving content form, the lead must be left as far as possible to the chance ideas and associations thrown up by the unconscious.”

—C. G. Jung, “The Transcendent Function” (85)