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Hinduism is a religion of 330 million gods. It is a living religion where gods and the stories about them are continuing to form and its abundant diversity, color and humor are compelling. Its nature is exotic, playful and engaging and its tales and philosophies are full of contradiction and surprise. From a Jungian perspective, it serves as a rich symbol system by which we can approach an understanding of the depth and nuance of the psyche, for it depicts processes that are continually developing, taking different twists and turns with multiple endpoints. Hindu mythology allows for the “both/and” and is one which can draw us into a conscious relationship with the enticing, intriguing and surprising aspects of ourselves.
In this talk, we will examine the myth of the much beloved south Indian deity Ayyappan and the pilgrimage to his shrine in Kerala, one of the largest in the world. Ayyappan is a child god – a divine child – whose name means “father of fathers” who is the son of Vishnu and Shiva – two male gods! The focus will be on understanding the meaning of the myth and pilgrimage, both psychologically and in terms of lived life experience. Importantly, we will explore the question of how the myth and pilgrimage serve the psyche’s journey towards wholeness.
Michael Marsman, LCSW, is a certified Jungian analyst in private practice in Berkeley, California and is a member of the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association in New York and the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco where he serves on the Board of Governors. His research focuses on Hindu mythology and gender and sexuality. Among his published works are “Bringing Dharma to Earth: The Sabarimalai Pilgrimage and Ayyappan Myth” in Spring Journal (2013), “Transgenderism and Transformation: An Attempt at a Jungian Understanding” in the Journal of Analytical Psychology (2017) and “Kali: In Praise of the Goddess” in Psychological Perspectives (2019). Michael teaches analysts-in-training nationally and internationally and presents on diverse topics such as Hindu mythology, analytic ethics, transgenderism, archetypes and the collective unconscious, amplification, mythology and dream analysis. He also provides supervision and consultation in the U.S. and abroad.
Learning objectives:
- Explain how mythological figures can symbolize the changeable and multifaceted nature of psychic movement.
- Explain how myths and images can help therapists understand how their patients experience their lives and how they relate to others.