C.G. Jung Society, Seattle


J. Gary Sparks, Jungian Analyst


Uniting Spirit and Matter: Carl Jung and Wolfgang Pauli in Dialogue

Lecture: Friday, Dec. 7. 12, 2012, 7 to 9 p.m.
Good Shepherd Center, Room 202, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Seattle
$15 members, $25 nonmembers

SparksThe discovery of quantum physics in 1927 marks a revolution in Western culture and understanding. Wolfgang Pauli, one of the new physics' founders, met Carl Jung in 1932, and the two men developed a life-long friendship. During the quarter century of their relationship they discussed in depth the parallels between modern physics and Jung's psychology of the unconscious. Friday’s lecture will provide an overview of the life and work of these pioneers, identify similarities in their creative discoveries, and consider their shared message to the 21st century: the living spirit in matter. Lecture format with images and discussion.

Living Spirit -- Living Matter

Workshop: Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good Shepherd Center, Room 202, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Seattle
$50 members and $70 nonmembers

J. Gary Sparks is a living and vital link to Marie-Louise von Franz and Edward Edinger—Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with J. Gary Sparks and gain a unique perspective on these Jungian legends.

J. Gary Sparks studied under Marie-Louise von Franz, who stated: “Numbers are points on a continuum. The number one qualitatively contains the whole sequence of natural numbers. Put differently, there is a relationship between unity and multiplicity” (Valley of Diamonds 51).

Jung’s research and writing, specifically his essay: “Synchronicity: an Acausal Connecting Principle” led Jung to some preliminary thoughts on natural numbers as archetypes bridging psyche and matter. Due to advancing age, Jung turned the task over to Marie-Louise von Franz, confiding that, “I am too old to be able to write this now, so I hand it over to you” (Number and Time ix). Marie-Louise von Franz’s own passing has not ended this invaluable study, as J. Gary Sparks continues to move this discussion forward. The C. G. Jung Society of Seattle is most fortunate to provide the substrate or forum to continue this discussion.

Through the image of number, Marie-Louise von Franz's wonderful work examines the link between spirit and matter, between the transcendental dimension of life and everyday events. In Saturday's workshop we will explore the main points of her book and consider in depth the motifs which von Franz—and before her Carl Jung in conversation with Wolfgang Pauli—have presented in their bridging meaning and matter. The archetypal symbolism of numbers in dreams, as well as the experience of synchronicity, spirit, the psychoid, mandalas, and creative eros, will be among the themes that receive consideration. Seminar format: with images, group activity to interpret representative dreams, and plenty of time for discussion.

Learning Objectives

  1. To familiarize participants with the role of dreams and fantasies in the therapy of scientists.
  2. To familiarize participants with the role and interpretation of meaningful coincidences in therapy.
  3. To familiarize participants with the importance of number symbolism as images of individuation in dream interpretation.

J. Gary Sparks holds a Diploma in Analytical Psychology from the C.G. Jung Institute in Zürich, Switzerland and has been in analytic practice in Indianapolis since 1983. He is a graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA; the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA; and the C.G. Jung Institute in Zürich, Switzerland. He is editor of Edward Edinger’s Ego and Self: The Old Testament Prophets (Inner City Books, 2000) and co-editor of Edinger’s Science of the Soul (Inner City, 2002). He is the author of At the Heart of Matter: Synchronicity and Jung’s Spiritual Testament (Inner City, 2007) and Valley of Diamonds: Adventures in Number and Time with Marie-Louise von Franz (Inner City, 2010). He has been in analytic practice in Indianapolis since 1983 and enjoys teaching and discussing Jungian psychology at all levels. For more information about him see http//www.jgsparks.net.

This program has been approved for CEUs by the Washington Chapter National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Provider number is #1975-157. The cost to receive a certificate is as follows: 7 units for Friday lecture and Saturday workshop $15; $10 for 2 units on Friday; $10 for 5 units on Saturday.


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Updated: 22 September, 2012

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