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Related Links,
Magazines, & etc..
Also see Bookstore
Fortunately
many materials such as books, recordings, and other
Websites have been created to provide us with direction
and insights on the inner experience. Here are the hand-picked
recommendations that should assist most people in this
work.
Some work may be required to find these materials. Some
books are shockingly out of print and small publishers
may have delays in completing your order, but please
persist. These materials are worth the extra trouble.
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ACTIVE
IMAGINATION SECTION
Related
Links
At this time, none can be recommended. Most sites do
not cover Active Imagination at the level of detail
helpful for practice.
Newsletters
& Magazines
Books
& Other Media
In
Print Titles - See the Bookstore
Johnson,
Robert A. Active
Imagination - Tapes. A good supplement to his
book, Inner Work.
Out of Print Materials
These materials need to ordered directly from the addresses
below. Out of print books can frequently be found at
www.bookfinder.com
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Epstein,
Gerald. Waking Dream Therapy: Dream Process
As Imagination, (NY: Human Sciences Press,
1981). Out-of-print. An excellent book worth
tracking down at the library or used book market
Hannah,
Barbara. Encounters With The Soul: Active
Imagination As Developed By C.G. Jung, (Boston:
Sigo Press, 1981). Shockingly out of print.
Advanced - This was the first book on Jung's
technique. Contains a survey from several sources
across history of Active Imagination. The first
two chapters are the most important to beginners.
McLean,
Adam. The Alchemical Mandala, (Grand
Rapids, MI: Phanes Press, 1989). Shockingly
out of print. Contains numerous images from
the alchemical times that can be used to spur
one's work with Active Imagination. McLean includes
a good introduction with working with archetypal
images in his introduction.
Merkur,
Dan. Gnosis: An Esoteric Tradition of Mystical
Visions and Unions, (Albany,NY:State University
of New York Press, 1993). Shockingly out of
print. Places the importance of Active Imagination
squarely in the center of spiritual development
of traditions around the world. Shockingly out-of-print.
Other
Special Materials
Jung's major writings are listed here complete with
volume and paragraph number of his collected works.
Archetypes
of the Collective Unconscious (Volume 9(I))
paragraphs: 525-626
Alchemical
Studies (Volume 13)
paragraphs: 17 - 45
Mysterium Coniunctionis (Volume 14)
paragraphs: 705-711; 749-756
Practice of Psychotherapy (Volume 16)
paragraphs: 101-108 (about dreams but relevant to active
imagination)
Symbolic Life (Volume 18) Also in Analytical
Psychology:Its Theory & Practice
paragraphs 390-400; paragraphs: 1252-1255
Structure Of The Psyche (Volume 8)
Transcendent Function paper ; 400-401
Paragraphs: 397-404
Two Essays On Analytical Psychology (Volume 7)
paragraphs: 121 - 122; 341-373;
Part 2 - Chapter 3
In
addition to his Collected Works, Jung also wrote about
Active Imagination in the following books:
Analytical Psychology: Notes Of The Seminar Given In
1925
pages 35-36; pages 47-48
Letters of C.G. Jung
page 458-461
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
chapter 6 - pages 170 - 199
Vision Seminars - The entire work. This book is
available in the
bookstore.
MYSTICAL
EXPERIENCE SECTION
Related
Links
Taste - A registry of mystical experiences reported by scientists.
Exceptional
Human Experience - A variety of articles on mystical
experience and some examples.
Newsletters
& Magazines
Books
& Other Media
In
Print Titles - See the Bookstore
Out of Print and Special Order Materials
These materials need to ordered directly from the addresses
below. Out of print books can frequently be found at
www.bookfinder.com
Zaehner, R.C. Mysticism
Sacred and Profane. Out of print. Zaehner
argues for his brand of mysticism (theistic) and
against other, "inferior" forms (his
words) such as pantheism and monism. His work
does, however, contain clear writing on how to
recognize each type of mystical experience.
Cohen, J.M. &
J-F. Phipps. The Common Experience: Signposts
on the Path to Enlightenment. Shockingly out
of print. This is a very good collection of experiences
or comments on the mystical experience from well
known sources (religious writings) and from the
Alister Hardy study of mystical experiences (see
next listing).
Hardy, Alister. The
Spiritual Nature of Man: A Study of Contemporary
Religious Experience. Shockingly out of print.
Hardy surveys 3000 people who reported some mystical
experience and summarizes this data in terms of
triggering events, observations during the experience,
and other related matters (some of this work is
summarized here.)
Coxhead, Nona. The
Relevance of Bliss: A Contemporary Exploration
of Mystic Experience. Shockingly out of print.
A good collection of personal experiences and
analysis of these experiences.
Courtouis, Flora.
An Experience of Enlightenment. Shockingly
out of print. In this small volume, Courtouis
takes the path of negation as taken by many other
mystics by withdrawing more and more from her
everyday life. Suddenly, one day, she breaks through
to the other side to see the world in a bright
and a powerful way.
Grof, Stanislav.
Realms of the Human Unconscious: Observations
from LSD Research. Shockingly out of print.
In the 1960s and 1970s Dr. Grof legally adminstered
LSD to patients both in this country and abroad.
By way of this process, he has been able to map
out the experience of those following this path
as they travel from sensory changes to personal
revelations to mystical experiences.
Metzner, Ralph. Ayahuasca:
Hallucinogens, Consciousness, and the Spirit of
Nature. Shockingly out of print. Very interesting
first person accounts of the action of a South
America herbal blend.
Hoffman, Edward.
Visions of Innocence: Spiritual and Inspirational
Experiences of Childhood. Shockingly out of
print. Exactly as the title states.
Johnson, Raynor C.
Watcher On The Hills: A Study of Some Mystical
Experiences of Ordinary People. Shockingly
out of print. A good collection of first hand
accounts of mystical experience.
Laski, Marghanita.
Ecstasy In Secular and Religious Experiences.
Shockingly out of print. A very good analysis
of first person accounts.
Other
Special Materials
University
of Kent (Canterbury, England) - Has a M.A. program
in Mysticism and Religious Experience (On campus or
independent research)
BODY,
SOUL, AND SPIRIT AWARENESS SECTION
Related
Links
BODY
The
Spirit of Gardening -
This is a very good site with plenty of thought provoking
quotes and many links related to enhancing body awareness
through greater awareness of nature.
The
Nature Web - An outstanding site with many links
to the classic nature writers (Thoreau, Muir). Dips
into this one will take one far.
Heron
Dance - This site is only a sample of the content
found in the bound newsletter with the same name.
Nature
Connect - This site creates five to ten member discussion
groups and leads them through regular nature awareness
exercises. A very good program if you have the time
to work through the steps.
Rhythmn
Vision - This site gives a sample of some exercises
for viewing the world.
SOUL
About.com
Guides to Journals - This offers a regularly up-dated
source of discussion and links to the powerful process
of journaling.
Progoff
Intensive Journals - Ira Progoff married the process
of journaling with Jung's technique of active imagination
to create a system for deep inner exploration.
SPIRIT
Newsletters
& Magazines
Heron
DanceThis
is an outstanding bound newsletter that captures
the heart of Body awareness in terms of awareness
of nature and one's connection to it. Running
about 40 pages per issues, short pieces around
a central theme are punctuated with gentle and
joyful line drawings of the editor/publisher Rod
MacIver. This is also a great selection for Soul
work as well. $29 per year. Contact: Heron
Dance,
52 Seymour St., Middlebury, VT, 05753.
Doubletake
A wonderful magazine combining a bent towards documentary
photography with soulful views of everyday life
now and in our memories. The photographs and writing
is guarented to slow us down to the speed of clear
perception with the heart. Available in print as
a glossy quarterly and as excerpts on the Doubletake
home page.
The
Sun
An outstanding monthly magazine that will through
any reader into the Soul. Perhaps the best section
are the submissions from readers on a common theme
such as "down and out," "the first
day," and "visiting relatives."
The Sun Website
Books
& Other Media
In
Print Titles - See the Bookstore
Out of Print and Special Order Materials
These materials need to ordered directly from the addresses
below. Out of print books can frequently be found at
www.bookfinder.com
Brooks,
Charles V. W. Sensory Awareness: The Rediscovery
of Experiencing, (New York: Viking Press,
1974). (Out-of-print but available from the Sensory
Awareness Foundation). This is a classic. It provides
the philosophy of sensory awareness in a non-philosophical
way. Reading carefully this book reveals the various
exercises that are taught Sensory
Awareness Foundation trained instructors. For
more direct instructions of how to achieve heightened
sensory awareness, go to the Foundation's website
by clicking here.
Gunther,
Bernard. Sense Relaxation: Below Your Mind,
(New York: Collier Books, 1968). Shockingly out-of-print.
A classic. Covers very practical suggestions for
exploring the senses. Has the look and feel of
the 1960s.
Lidell,
Lucy. The Sensual Body: The Ultimate Guide
to Body Awareness and Self-Fulfilment, (New
York: Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 1987). Shockingly
out-of-print. A very good introduction to all
types of sensory awareness and body awareness
exercises.
Masters,
Robert and Jean Houston. Listening to the Body.
Out-of-print. A good book by two investigators
that have gone deeply into the psyche. Sometimes
a bit hard to do without seeing someone else do
it first, the exercises cover the basics of body
awareness. In addition to exercises that emphasis
movement, these authors also include several sets
of inner sensing instructions.
Progoff,
Ira. The Practice of Process Meditation: The
Intensive Journal Way To Spiritual Experience
(NY:Dialogue House, 1980). Through in-depth journaling,
this book shows how to collect your Spiritual
history, detect barriers to going further, and
is led into discovering the Spirit laden images
that lie untapped within. (Available from Dialogue
House.)
Some
of the following movie suggestions cover Body, Soul,
and Spirit extremely well (look for **)
and others touch this subject in a more general way.
For additional
details on any of these movies, search on the movie
title at the All
Movie Guide.
BODY
Anima
Mundi - This is a short movie (30 minutes) was
produced with the support of the World Wildlife Fund.
"Face to face encounters with creatures large and
small reveal the breadth of this living world,"
claims the video box. This statement is not an over
billing since the scope of coverage is quite exciting.
Besides rapid fire images, the music of Philip Glass
helps drive the film even faster. A wonderful kalidescopic
view of the natural world. Released in 1991.
Baraka - Similar to Anima Mundi, this movie shows
animal, forces of nature and the diversity of mankind
in a rapid fire presentation. is perfect way to pay
homage to the amazing physical world. An alert watching
with a touch of devotion thrown in is a perfect way
to pay homage to the amazing world in which we live.
(Baraka is a Sufi word that translates roughly as "breath
of life.") Released in 1993.
Babette's
Feast - Based on a story by Isak Dinesen, this
movie crisply outlines the hazards of a life lived too
far from the body. An isolated village of religious
believers is revitalized when a Parisian gourmet cook
arrives and, due to surprising circumstances, prepares
a great feast. Food over arid belief, wonder through
the body saves the spirit of the too spiritual. Winner
- Academy Awards 1987 - "Best Foreign Film".
Released in 1987-1988.
**Full Body Massage - A gentile erotic drama which centers around a full body
massage and the conversation that spills forth. Nina
(Mimi Rogers) reminisces about her ex-husband and Fitch
(Bryan Brown), the masseur, recollects around the love
of his life, a Hopi woman who introduced him to the
healing arts. Released 1995.
Mystery
of the Senses - This PBS special was first televised in 1995. The five
parts are interested summaries of Dianne Ackerman's
book A Natural History of the Senses. Ackerman appears
in the video series and takes us on the usual world
tour that PBS does so well. A good introduction to exploring
the senses. (Available through PBS or some libraries.)
Never,
Cry Wolf
SOUL
A
Walk In The Clouds - Several plot themes in this colorful movie
have the atmosphere of Soul. There is obligation to
love, desire to hold fast to that which is authentic,
rootedness to the land, and receptiveness of the heart.
The night scene when the stars Keanu Reeves and Aitana
Sanchex-Gijon help fight the frost endangering the family's
vineyard is especially magical. Released in 1995.
Alchemy - Another quiet movie that will not please
those requiring highly evocative movements. It does
have soulfulness about it and it calls our attention
to the need for the poetic, the power of found objects
to excite our imagination, and simple observation of
life. Released in 1995.
Grace
Of The Heart - Illeana Douglas delivers a great performance
as Denise Waverly, a ficitional singer and songwriter.
Waverly forgoes her role as the daughter of a Philadelphia
steel tycoon to follow her soul. Tragedy, family doubt,
and mistakes feeds her music to a wonderful, but gentle
conclusion at movie's end. Released in 1996.
**Il
Postino
Local
Hero - The principal character of this movie goes
from workaholic out of touch with the physical world
and the world of greater Soul attachment to a person
ready to enter a more meaningful world. Comedic and
charming, the Soul's role may slip pass your first viewing
of this film. Watch it again. Released in 1983.
Ruby
In Paradise - This is a quiet film. No major action,
just the Soul bravely at work. Ashley Judd does an excellent
job of sticking to her soul and living a life that is
soulful. This movie is especially powerful for those
are just becoming connected with their own souls. Released
in 1993.
Sabrina - This remake is not the most powerful representation
of soul ever made but it does have its points. Paris
is the magical city that opens souls and the major female
lead, Julia Ormond does an excellent job of not only
hanging own to her own soulfulness but pulls workaholic
Harrison Ford towards his. Again, perhaps not the greatest
film but Ormond brings Lady Soul forward. Released in
1995.
**Smoke Signals
- Touted as the first produced, directed, and written
Native American movie, Smoke Signals captures one of
the key elements of Soul work, an attention to the stories
of life when those around us don't want to remember.
Two boys find the retelling of the story of one fire
and its resulting tragedy, binds them together and frees
them to live deeper lives. Released in 1998.
**Strangers In Good Company - Wonderful movie that stays a few steps away from sterotyping
women in their 70s and 80s. When a tour bus breaks down
in rural Canada, a group of women are stranded with
their memories and the ability to be compassionate.
The director has increased the power of this movie by
including photos of each women as she tells her story
that show her at various times in her life. This technique
shocks one into realizing that while this is a fictional
story it is also non-fiction. Most people watch this
film several times. Released in 1991.
**Time Indefinite - An excellent and enjoyable account of a filmaker who takes
us along on his life's journey. Introspective, with
an examination of loss, but also comedic, Ross McElwee
teaches how to observe our own lives from the place
of Soul. Released in 1993.
Unbearable
Lightness of Being
SPIRIT
**Bagdad Cafe
- Most of who act upon this recommendation and watch
Bagdad Cafe will doubt that this film has anything to
do with Spirit. But it is there. Set at a "fleapit"
truckstop, a German woman down on her luck, brings something
special to this locale. This outsider brings meaning
and order everyone when she teaches herself magic. Her
magic transforms the cafe's owner and employees, patrons,
and even herself. Powerful archetypes energize this
charming story. Released in the US in 1988.
Box
of Moonlight - John Turturro plays Al Fountain, a rigidly
self-controlled electrical engineer who has discovered
his first gray hair and has begun seeing things (bicycles
running backwards, coffee pouring from the cup into
the pot). To Al's shock, he's fired without notice and
he goes in search of Splatchee Lake, a vacation spot
from his childhood. Although this sounds like a Soul
story, it tells more about the Spirit. The Spirit applying
pressure to see more, to travel, to change. Released
in 1996.
**Little Buddha
- Blended with a drama in modern times is the beautiful
and powerful retelling of the legend of the Gatuma Buddha.
Both stories bring us close to Buddhism (Tibetan) and
sparks our spirit and our soulful attraction to the
divine and sacred. Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda stay
out of the way and let the richness of this presentation
press forward. Keanu Reeves does a very good job portraying
the Buddha. Released 1994.
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