Fanny Brewster, Jungian analyst and author, explores dreams as a bridge to ancestors in African cultures. The podcast discusses the limitations of Jung's perspective, the importance of honoring women ancestors, and the significance of community and spirituality in personal growth.
Dreams have always been important in traditional African cultures, serving as a means of communication with ancestors.
Jungian thought should be expanded to include Africanist perspectives, in order to address racial complexities.
Community is vital in the process of evolving consciousness and finding strength and healing.
Deep dives
Dreaming of Love and Acceptance in the Library
In this dream, the dreamer finds themselves in a beautiful old library with a dark oriental carpet and surrounded by books. To their surprise, they discover a nine-month-old baby girl in the middle of the floor. Despite the baby having an invisible problem with its head, the dreamer feels overwhelming love for her. The dream ends with a sense of peace and the dreamer feels that it represents their connection to themselves and the love they have for the baby, symbolizing their own growth and journey.
Exploring the Depths of the Library
The dreamer's interest in Jungian psychology is symbolized by the library, a place of knowledge and information. The dream suggests that the dreamer's exploration of this interest is cultivating an environment for something new and tender to emerge within themselves. The presence of the baby signifies the growth and development of a new aspect of their psyche, which they approach with love and acceptance. The dream highlights the importance of turning inward and attending to their own inner process and growth.
Navigating the Path of Self-Discovery
The dream indicates that the dreamer's interest in becoming a Jungian analyst is a space for personal growth and exploration. It may not necessarily provide a definitive answer about the specific career path, but it emphasizes the dreamer's readiness and willingness to embrace their own personal journey and encounter aspects of themselves. The dream invites the dreamer to explore and learn, offering a nurturing space to develop their soul and individuate, irrespective of whether it involves analytical training or alternative paths.
Embracing Love and Curiosity
The dream suggests that the dreamer's journey of self-discovery through Jungian psychology is guided by love and curiosity. The library symbolizes a space of knowledge and learning, while the baby represents the dreamer's developing aspects. The dream reassures the dreamer that they have the right attitude and are moving towards self-discovery with love and acceptance. It emphasizes the value of encountering oneself and encourages the dreamer to continue exploring their personal process and growth.
Cultivating a Nurturing Environment for Self-Growth
The dream signifies the dreamer's readiness to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth within the realm of Jungian psychology. The library represents a space of knowledge and exploration, while the baby symbolizes the dreamer's inner aspects that are ready to be nurtured and developed. The dream highlights the importance of self-acceptance and feeling love for oneself as new aspects continue to emerge. It encourages the dreamer to embrace curiosity and continue on their path of self-discovery.
Jung's concept of the collective unconscious emphasized the universal psychological substrate common to all humans. While he acknowledged the effects of the cultural unconscious, his work, at times, fell into the trap of perpetuating oversimplified and racially prejudiced stereotypes. Jung's writings that refer to Africanist peoples, in particular, suffer from offensive assumptions. Dr. Fanny Brewster, Jungian analyst and author, searches for the healing cultural elements in the dreams of the African diaspora. Dreams have always been important in traditional African cultures. In Zimbabwe, the traditional healer, or sangoma, is called to the work by a dream that features a snake. For the Xhosa, dreams were how the ancestors communicated their wisdom. Today, most of us are cut off from our ancestors, but they remain a potential source of strength and healing. Dr. Brewster has undertaken the work of renewing and widening Jungian thought to include Africanist perspectives. She addresses the importance of community as we go about the necessary work of evolving consciousness.
Fanny Brewster, Ph.D., M.F.A. is a Jungian analyst, Professor of Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and member analyst with the Philadelphia Association of Jungian Analysts. She is a multi-genre writer who has written about issues at the intersection of Jungian psychology and American culture. Her most recent book is The Racial Complex: A Jungian Perspective on Culture and Race. (Routledge, 2019).
If you’ve been struggling in the dark trying to find the keys to unlock your dreams, help has arrived. Order your copy of Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams from the hosts of This Jungian Life podcast and open the secret door.
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