"When the HIlls Breathed Color" Zainab Naveed
Welcome to summer, when our surroundings here in Nashville do "breathe color" in lush green foliage, multi-colored flowers, and blue skies on days of bright yellow sunshine.
Zainab Naveed, above, is a Pakistani artist in the Expressionist style, which is characterized by use of vibrant colors and distortion to express inner emotions and thoughts rather than realistic depictions of the world. Veitara Tradan of Kazakhstan, another contemporary expressionist artist, explains her art this way:
"My work grows from inner experience rather than from external narratives. I am interested in emotional states, quiet tension, moments of transition and inner movement ...easy to recognize intuitively... allowing the viewer to find their own meanings rather than offering a fixed interpretation."
"Evanescent Summer," Veitara Tradan
Expressionist art is compatible with Jungian psychology, which encourages the expression of inner experiences through dream work, active imagination, and artistic expression. Expressionism, an early 20th century art movement with roots in the Middle Ages, is said to emerge particularly during times of social change and spiritual crisis. May we find inspiration in this art for our own times.
"From Thuringewald" Edvard Munch
Art that resonates with depth psychology, by Munch and others,
is on display at the Frist Museum,
"International Surrealism: Fifty Years of Dreams,"
through August 30, 2026..............................................
FRIDAY, MARCH 13th
7 – 9 pm central time
Online only – will be recorded
“Walking Between Worlds:
Jung, Indigenous Dreaming, and the Dreamtime”
By Tayria Ward, Ph.D.
"Splinter Group," Chris Langstroth
James Hollis playfully calls complexes the "little people" in our unconscious and states that Jung's theory of the complex may be the most useful tool to help us in "charting of the topography of the inner life." More from Dr. Hollis:
"This presentation will explore the nature of this difficult project: the discernment of one's inner terrain, the delineation of that noisy congregation of splinter selves who always travel with us and have plans of their own for us."
Learning objectives include understanding why the complex is an important tool, identifying how one begins this discernment of the splinter selves, and examining the role of the ego, a complex in itself, in this process.
Click Here To Register
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James Hollis, Ph.D., is a Jungian Analyst in Washington, D.C. He is author of 23 books, including his newest book, Tending the Fire, which he co-authored with L.A. painter Celaya, and the forthcoming Ancestral Day.
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Save the Date!
Thursday, September 24th
The Belcourt Theatre
Nashville, TN
7 pm - 9:30 pm
doors open at 6:45.............................................
The Nashville Jung Circle is pleased to present a special 40th-anniversary screening of Matter of Heart, the acclaimed documentary on the life and work of Carl Jung. The film was produced by Nashvillian Michael Whitney, a founding board member and officer of the NJC, who will introduce the film.
First released in 1986, Matter of Heart creates a compelling and intimate portrait of Jung through rare photographs, archival footage, and interviews with Jung's family members and close associates. Forty years after its release, the film continues to inspire both longtime students of Jung and those encountering his work for the first time.
Join us for this special anniversary screening at the historic Belcourt Theatre in Nashville on Thursday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Whether you are new to Jung or have spent years exploring depth psychology, this is a rare opportunity to see this landmark 35 mm film on the big screen and learn more about of one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers.
Matter of Heart
Thursday, September 24, 7:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
The Belcourt Theatre, NashvilleWe hope you will join us for this memorable evening.
Details on tickets coming soon!
In November, 2025, the Nashville Jung Circle hosted Jungian analyst Dr. John van Ennwyk's talk on psychoneuroimmunology, a long name for the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the human body. He returns as speaker in October for Part 2 to discuss the "symptom as symbol," how we might learn to interact with the immune system to facilitate its work, and what the immune system can teach us about interpersonal relationships, both personal and collective.
More details and registration coming soon!
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The Rev. Dr. John R. Van Eenwyk is a retired Jungian Analyst and ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. He taught at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Antioch University and was the founder and clinical director of the International Trauma Treatment Program in Olympia, Washington.
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Recommended New Books:
Expanding Classic Texts
For those beginning to explore Jungian psychology, two books are often recommended: Memories, Dreams, Reflections, a memoir based on Jung’s late-life conversations with Aniela Jaffé, and Map of the Soul, Murray Stein’s introduction to Jung’s theories. Two recent publications expand and update these foundational texts.
Jung's Life and Work: Interviews for Memories, Dreams, Reflections with Aniela Jaffé
Memories, Dreams, Reflections is the closest there is to a memoir by Carl Jung, who refused to write an autobiography. With much urging, in his final years he consented to discussing his life in recorded conversations with his trusted associate, Aniella Jaffe. Significant portions of those conversations, which were omitted or condensed before publication, are now available to readers for the first time.
In this new volume, edited by Sonu Shamdasani, readers encounter Jung in a more informal and spontaneous voice speaking about his life, ideas, relationships, dreams, travels, and religious experiences. There is an intimate quality to the book that invites the reader into Jung’s world and reveals the humanity of a man often revered as a guru.
Just as the publication of The Red Book increased our understanding of Jung's inner life, these interviews help us understand the origins of Memories, Dreams, Reflections, one of the most important autobiographical works of the twentieth century. Jung’s Life and Work is a highly readable and worthwhile new book for anyone curious to know more about the man behind the theories.............................................
Jung's Map of the Soul: Deeper Explorations
By Murray Stein
Map of the Soul (1998) is a popular introduction to Jungian psychology, with presentation of Jung's theories in a "map" of the psyche. In Jung’s Map of the Soul: Deeper Explorations (2026), author Murray Stein updates his classic text by drawing on additional scholarship and materials, like Jung’s letters, seminars, and The Red Book, which were either unavailable or little studied when the original book appeared. In the Preface, Stein says these new documents “offer a wealth of information for a renewed and even revised appreciation of Jung’s incredible range of interests and his remarkable capacity for playful and imaginative thinking.”
In Deeper Explorations Stein expands his discussion of familiar Jungian concepts, like the ego, complexes, shadow, anima/animus, Self, individuation, and synchronicity, with material from these newer sources. Once again, his writing style makes for a highly readable volume that aids in readers' understanding of Jung's theories.
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NASHVILLE JUNG CIRCLE
BOOK CLUB NEWS
The second Nashville Jung Circle book club is meeting in June and July to study a compilation of writings by James Hillman, in a book entitled A Blue Fire, edited by Thomas Moore (whose book Care of the Soul was the focus of the first book club, this past winter). Thanks go to NJC member Michael Jones for leading this book study group, which meets in person for six weeks and is limited to 20 people. Both book groups have been "sold out," and the NJC plans to offer another book group in the fall. Details coming soon about this next opportunity for stimulating in-person discussion and fellowship.
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As the Nashville Jung Circle begins its 12th year this month, we are pleased to report a record number of members (93) and an email list of over 1300 people. Thanks to all of you for participating in this non-profit organization, whose mission is to offer education and fellowship rooted in the works of C.G. Jung.
Starting this month, Alan Scalpone takes over as the new president from Adele Tyler, outgoing president, who becomes the vice president. Continuing to serve as officers for the coming year are Natalie Cox, secretary, and Michael Whitney, treasurer. Continuing as board members are Linda Odom and Claire Conen, with longtime board member Gayle Prillaman stepping down from the board. Thank you, Gayle, for 10 years that include serving as a former secretary, program committee member, and all-round support of this organization - you will be missed!!
We are actively recruiting several new board members. It is a fun and informal group that offers friendship and fellowship along with a volunteer opportunity. Board members commit to attending monthly board meetings, held in person or on Zoom, and helping promote and coordinate monthly events. If you are interested in serving on the board, please don't be shy and get in touch. You may email us at info@nashvillejungcircle.org, telling us something about your interest in Jungian psychology and any skills you might offer to the organization - we'd love to hear from you!