The Art of Being Human

Jun 17, 2021

Explore the profound role of art in enriching human existence and psychological well-being. Discover how personal and visionary art acts as a refuge, connecting us across cultures and time. Delve into the journey of individuation, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's true self. The discussion also highlights how individual contributions can impact humanity's collective soul, insisting that sincere efforts can foster a deeper engagement with our shared experiences.

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Intro

00:00 • 11min

The Healing Power of Art and the Journey of Individuation

11:18 • 12min

The Impact of Small Contributions on Humanity's Soul

23:24 • 3min

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In this episode:
We discuss the importance of art for human life and the central place it holds for living a symbolic life.

Let's make this a conversation:
Do you have a comment or question about this episode, or about something you would like me to address in a future episode? Please contact me on Facebook (facebook.com/jungiananalyst) or Twitter (@Jason_E_Smith).

For more on living a symbolic life:
Please check out my book, Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life, available from Chiron Publications.

Sources for quotes and more:

“What if there were a living agency beyond our everyday human world — something even more purposeful than electrons? ..." ~ C.G. Jung, from Psychology and Literature in 'Collected Works, vol. 15.'
'Homo Aestheticus' by Ellen Dissanayake
Discussion of "psychological or personalistic art" and "visionary art" in Jung's Psychology and Literature.
Episode 1: What is the Symbolic Life?
"Everything is banal, everything is 'nothing but'; and that is the reason why people are neurotic.” ~ C.G. Jung from The Symbolic Life in 'Collected Works, vol. 18.'
“Under these conditions one tends to follow whatever gives off the strongest signal, which is usually filtered through the prism of desire...." ~ Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life.
"The artist appeals to that part of our being… which is a gift and not an acquisition — and, therefore, more permanently enduring...." ~ Joseph Conrad quoted in 'The Gift' by Lewis Hyde.
“There are very few changes at life's heart. That is why great literature, however ancient, always moves us and is always understood. It has to do with the unchanging heart of life.”~ Evelyn Underhill from The Inside of Life in 'Collected Papers of Evelyn Underhill.'
“Whoever speaks in primordial images speaks with a thousand voices...” ~ C.G. Jung from On the Relation of Analytical Psychology to Poetry in 'Collected Works, vol. 15.'
Discussion of "The Vital Circle" in 'The Rhythm of Being' by Raimon Panikkar.
“The meaning of life is to build a life as if it were a work of art.” ~ Abraham Joshua Heschel from 'I Asked For Wonder.'
“We must not forget th

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For more on living a symbolic life:
Please check out my book, Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life.