Episode 197 - The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul

Published: Jan. 13, 2022, 5 a.m.

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Dr. Connie Zweig, Ph.D., retired Jungian-psychotherapist and author, joins us to discuss her new book, The Inner Work of Age. She extends her well-known work on shadow into midlife and beyond and provides a map for uncovering obstacles to aging consciously. The transition from Hero to Elder, or role to soul, begins with releasing the ego\\u2019s identification with doing and reorienting toward the transpersonal center that Jung called the Self.

As we let go of outworn personas and roles, harvest the wisdom of our long lives, and break free of unconscious shadows, the Elder\\u2019s gift of authenticity naturally emerges. In this way, individuation, the deeper dimension of age, can be expanded along with our expanding longevity. This renewed purpose is the hidden promise of late-life.\\xa0

Here\\u2019s the dream we analyze:

\\u201cI was sitting at the front of a moving bus that was full of a friend\\u2019s family after a ceremony, maybe a wedding or a funeral. I was sitting facing backward so I could be part of the congregation. They announced they would shortly bring out my friend\\u2019s grandmother\\u2019s exhumed body for the dancing ritual. I wasn\\u2019t sure I\\u2019d have the guts to take part but wanted to wait until I saw her grandmother to make my decision. She was brought out in a sheer black veil, through which I could see her body had shriveled to a tiny frame, almost a skeleton but preserved as if she had been embalmed. Her family took turns joyously and carefully waltzing down the aisle of the bus with her, and everyone gazed upon the ritual with loving delight. I decided I would just watch this time. My friend was gently handed her grandmother\\u2019s corpse whilst sitting in her seat behind me. She held her in her lap and we had a conversation, during which my friend\\u2019s face and her grandmother\\u2019s became indistinguishable. My friend appeared both living and dead at the same time, her face hollowed and decomposed but animated and lively.\\u201d

REFERENCES:

Connie Zweig. The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1644113406/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_ZCW0Z73PAQTREBXS1206

RESOURCES:

Learn to Analyze your own Dreams: https://thisjungianlife.com/enroll/

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