Jung asked this question near the end of his life. In my talk I will look at the relation between the depth psychologist and the poet, and I will suggest that a psychology which is lived and worked with soul in mind situates the psychologist in the realm of dark light where he/she is a ‘failed poet.’ I will also explore the ways in which this ‘failure’ is not a negative judgement, but a description of how Jung’s psychology has its roots in the mythic figure of the shaman-poet Orpheus. To illustrate some of my themes selections from poetry will be read.
Robert D. Romanyshyn, Ph.D. is a full time faculty member at Pacifica Graduate Institute. He is the author of five books and numerous other writings, including his most recent book, Ways of the Heart: Essays toward an Imaginal Psychology. He is currently finishing a book of poems and stories entitled Dark Light: Psychologist as Failed Poet. For his contributions to Jungian scholarship over the last thirty years he was elected as an associate member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts.