LECTURE: Michael Conforti, Ph.D., Jungian Psychoanalyst, A Passion for Soul

Who is it that finds that hidden place in our heart and soul that we have all but given up on? Yet somehow, despite our attempts to silence this un-sated hunger, “she” has never left our side, or given up the hope of bringing new life into our weary soul. Perhaps now we must admit to our many disappointments in love and life, of journeys down unsavory streets, and far too much time in broken-down dives where the lost gather to imbibe shattered dreams. Yet the hope of finding love and soul remains humanity’s greatest dream, demanding the courage to experience a profound and painful vulnerability.

Rilke's “love” for Lou Andreas Salome is such a story. He speaks of his devotion and need of Salome when writing; “You alone are real to me”. Salome, however, understood that while he did love her, he was also speaking to his soul with these words. As a Man, artist, and lover, it was through this relationship with Salome that Rilke came to know the contours and hungers of his soul.

While we are often consumed by our love for another, and by those passions that fill us with awe, and inexhaustible energy, ultimately it is the soul that has kindled such a flame, needing to be recognized. Embedded within these passions is the soul calling to us of a life living in-potentia . In his book “ She”, H. Rider Haggard writes; “For deep love unsatisfied is the hell of noble hearts … but love that is mirrored back more perfect from the soul of our desired doth fashion wings to lift us above ourselves, and makes us what we might be.”

From Haggard, Rilke, Rabbi Heschel, Toni Wolff, and others, we see this Janus faced nature of such a love, calling us to transcend the habitual so as to enter into the numinosium to embrace the ineffable. The soul has called to humanity since the beginning of time. While ultimately, the search for one’s Soul is a solitary journey, to have the reflection from someone who cares so deeply about us, is more than sublime.

Please join us as we travel this “sentiero sacro”, into the domain of Psyche, Soul, and Eros.

$10.00

Register at JungNC.org or pay at the door.

The President of the Society and others will be there to greet you.