Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Facing and Dealing with Personal Loss

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: Facing and Dealing with Personal Loss: In his mid-20’s, C.G. Jung was given a copy of Sigmund Freud’s newly published book, The Interpretation of Dreams. Jung devoured the ma...

Facing and Dealing with Personal Loss

In his mid-20’s, C.G. Jung was given a copy of Sigmund Freud’s newly published book, The Interpretation of Dreams. Jung devoured the material since at the time there was nothing like it to be found. While reading this amazing book, Jung began corresponding with Freud and their respective letters to each other led to a meeting in 1907. Jung describes their 13 hour meeting as nothing less than phenomenal. Over the next 5 years, from 2007-2012, the two of them worked together to analyze each other’s dreams. In his Autobiography Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung dedicated two chapters to Freud, thanking him for his inspiring work and theories. But, he also made it clear that his parting with Freud came because he did not want to support some of Freud’s more controversial theories. Enraged at Jung’s audacity for not supporting all of his theories, Freud broke off their personal friendship and professional relationship.

After their parting, Jung went through what he described as a dark night of the soul for 5 years. But it was during this grieving and soul searching period he discovered ‘amazing things’ about himself, his relationship with his wife, and his work with his clients. These ‘things’ became the building blocks of his creative theories which included writings about the collective unconscious, archetypes, symbolism, psychic energy, synchronicity, alchemy, psychological complexes, and the spiritual and religious dimensions of the psyche. In short, the loss became the driving force for Jung to delve into the realm of his own unconscious and to create the theories for which he would become renowned.

In 1916, Jung was contacted by writer Hermann Hesse who was going through considerable depression regarding the death of his father, the serious illness of his son, and the paralyzing mental illness of his wife. Hesse worked with Jung for 2 years, immersing himself into Jung’s unique style of dream work and active imagination wherein Hesse was guided to amplify, interpret, and integrate the symbolism in his dreams. As a result, Hesse again reached new heights of creativity in his thinking and writing and had two outstanding books published that today remain literary classics: Demian and Siddhartha.

Jung’s loss of Freud’s friendship and Hesse’s losses are important reminders that loss comes to everyone, young and old, rich and poor, well-known and anonymous.  Divorce, separation, death, illness, financial challenge, unanticipated change, and a variety of other losses are all part of the drama and unfolding of life. We cannot shield ourselves from loss and the accompanying pain and grief but like Jung and Hesse, perhaps loss may miraculously open the way for a more challenging and perhaps fulfilling life.

In facing and dealing with the emotional turmoil of a loss, you may discover inspiring books or philosophies that miraculously reshape your perception and thinking. During your loss a dream or series of dreams may give you important spiritual guidance. Your loss may open a door to a new and creative way of expressing yourself. In seeking help for your loss you may discover amazing resources that help you heal.

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: On Beauty

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: On Beauty: In The Walk, Author Richard Paul Evans wrote, “Some people in this world have stopped looking for beauty, then wonder why their lives a...

On Beauty

In The Walk, Author Richard Paul Evans wrote, “Some people in this world have stopped looking for beauty, then wonder why their lives are ugly. Look for beauty in everything and everyone and you will find it.”

Noticing beauty and taking the time to appreciate what we see can take an ordinary day and transport it into something extraordinary. Psychologist Abraham Maslow believed that those who experienced more peak experiences did this on a regular basis and it was one of the main reasons why they found so much pleasure in life.

Beauty is a fabulous word to play with because its synonyms: loveliness, pleasure, attractiveness, exquisiteness, splendor, and magnificence excite all the senses. Our five senses include what we see, what we feel, what we hear, what we smell and what we taste. Take the time to play with these five senses to experience how much beauty resides in the simple things of life: The magnificent beauty of nature; the loveliness of a bird’s song in the early morning; the pleasure of the company of a good friend; the splendor of a gracious smile; the exquisite sound and feel of a Mozart piano sonata; the scrumptious look of sautéed vegetables atop artichoke fettuccine and the delectable taste I have the pleasure of savoring.

With all the tragedies that abound and the internet providing them around the clock in full and glorious display, it is easy to forget about the transforming power of noticing and appreciating beauty. When you type in the word beauty on google, you immediately are inundated with pictures of young and beautiful women trying out new cosmetic products, hair products, and skin care products. In other words, we have come to associate beauty with youthfulness, flawless skin and perfect hair. 

 These are in fact beautiful but they only represent a very small and narrow picture of what is beautiful.

Physician and specialist on death and dying, Elizabeth Kubler- Ross wrote, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

Beauty is all around us. It is in the immensity of stars up above; the ravishing rising and setting of the sun and the lovely phases of the moon. Beauty is in the depths of the ocean, the lakes, the streams, and waterways. It is in the colorful flowers and trees. It is in the people we lovingly call family and friends and the caring acts of strangers. Beauty is in the grand poetry of Whitman and the lovely and delicate nocturnes of Chopin.

It is so important in the business of life to never forget our God given abilities to notice and appreciate beauty. And as Novelist Franz Kaffka wrote, “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: The Power of the Creative Process

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: The Power of the Creative Process: With the Academy Awards airing a few weeks ago, it spurred my interest in who holds the record for most Oscar nominations and wins. I was s...

The Power of the Creative Process

With the Academy Awards airing a few weeks ago, it spurred my interest in who holds the record for most Oscar nominations and wins. I was surprised to find out it is Walt Disney. Over the course of his illustrious career, Disney was nominated for 59 Oscars and won 22. In addition, he received 4 special Oscars.

Disney was a very unusual student. When his elementary school teacher asked the class to sketch the flower vase she placed on her desk, young Walt sketched it with added arms, legs, and a smiling flower at the top. His teacher scolded him for not paying attention to her instructions to just draw the vase!  Walt courteously listened to her complaints but continued to draw what he saw in his vivid imagination.  Years later, animals, plants and objects with human voices and attributes became a Disney trademark.

By age twenty, Walt Disney was hired to draw cartoons for the Kansas City Film Ad Company. Within a short time he was drawing cartoons that moved but they still didn’t move in the way he envisioned they could. He studied and worked tirelessly towards making drawings move in more graceful and sophisticated ways so they would have greater realism. These drawings and experiments took thousands of hours to perfect.

Disney was the first person to sell the idea of having a cartoon open for a feature film. As a door to door salesman, he sold cartoons by the linear foot to local movie theatres. Most theatre owners didn’t understand why a movie-goer would want to watch this new form of entertainment. Walt was not put off. His focus, determination, and passion for animation and creating laugh-out-loud characters won over all opposition and eventually made him a legend.

When he was 28, he came up with the idea of a little character named Mortimer Mouse.  His wife thought that it was a dreadful name and suggested something more enticing like Mickey Mouse. The name really stuck a chord within Disney. Intrigued by the new talking films that were beginning to gain in popularity, Disney worked tirelessly to synchronize Mickey’s movements to sound, making it the first carton of its kind. He named his first animated talking cartoon Steamboat Willie. The year was 1927. Most theatre owners told him that the public would not be interested in a mouse that talked. Disney pushed ahead despite their cynicism. Within a few years, Mickey Mouse was the most popular cartoon character in the country. By 1935, the Mickey Mouse Club had over 1.5 million members.

As Abraham Maslow once described it, the creative process has a right brain inspirational phase and a left brain planning and work phase. Disney was a man with remarkable creativity, determination, tenacity, and follow through. Reading about Disney’s life is deeply inspiring. It is inspiring because we can create on our own unique level of creativity and make our artistic stirrings tangible. We may never achieve what Disney achieved but we can accomplish something we can be delighted with and very proud of. 

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: A Beautiful Mind

Land of Oz Workshops Blog: A Beautiful Mind: A Beautiful Mind Last year I spoke at the Fielding Institute's International Conference on Positive Aging in Los Angeles. The event w...