\nIn many of the cohorts blogposts (all written very well) I sensed the age old battle\/philosophy between
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/YingYang.jpg\")
<\/a> the Ying and Yang, the conscious and unconscious portions of our psyche wrestling for control.<\/p>\nOne class member wrote, \u201cAgain, I wonder if religion is a way for us to not completely deny our dark side but also to not completely give into it? Is this how we become our true self?\u201d<\/p>\n
A perpetual swirl of light fighting dark? This striving for balance appears to be where many of my peers have settled on in their blogposts describing Lieberman\u2019s Spellbound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind<\/em> [1]. I suppose harnessing the dark side to empower the good?<\/p>\n I feel am on shaky ground when I consider balancing my dark and light. However, in order to understand Lieberman I headed back to Freud and Jung.<\/p>\n Part 2 – Freud, Jung, Lieberman<\/strong> Examples Of The Id, Ego, And Superego – Skipping a workout: The proverbial image of the Angel on one shoulder with the Devil on the other comes to mind. For further development and more pictures, See – Freud\u2019s Theory Of Personality: Id, Ego, And Superego, By Saul Mcleod, PhD, Updated on November 9, 2023, Reviewed byOlivia Guy-Evans, MSc, www.simplypsychology.org\/psyche.html<\/p>\n Moving on to Jung…<\/p>\n I lack the depth to compare Freud and Jung (who influences Lieberman) but Dr. Jeri Jacobson does a great job at Freud vs Jung \u2013 Similarities and Differences Last reviewed by Dr. Sheri Jacobson March 4, 2023 https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/freud-vs-jung-similarities-differences.htm<\/p>\n Some excerpts. We can see the impact this on Lieberman in his chapter headings, The Magical Instinct, Part II Magic, Fairy tails, Alchemy, Mystical Numbers, the Tarot. Clearly a disciple of Jung. In his Introduction, The Unconscious and supernatural,<\/em> Lieberman writes, \u201cWhen it comes to how you think and feel your way through life, at best you are the copilot. At worst, you’re along for the ride, at the mercy of your brain…It’s called the Unconscious.\u201d [2] Sadly, the chapter titles lend itself to thinking about the presence of the Dark side of the Force in our lives.<\/p>\n I noticed red flags popped up in the cohort. It did for me too. Colorado Springs is known for its many Christian\/Faith Based NGOs. Across the valley, however, is Manitou the hub for our witch and marijuana clusters. I can\u2019t seem to get away from witches. In the spirit of equality, the population of witches in the U.S. Army demands a \u201cchaplain\u201d to minister to them. I believe she resides on a base in Arizona. At first glance Lieberman reminds me of the Joker\u2019s (from a Batman movie) question \u201cHave you ever danced with devil in the bright moonlight?\u201d My first impressions of the book made me wonder if we were dancing with the Devil.<\/p>\n Like any onion, however, one needs to peel back the layers of the onion to find what lies beneath (thanks Shrek).<\/p>\n Part 3 DMN revisited & Transcendence.<\/strong><\/p>\n Something familiar appears when Lieberman speaks to the Default Mode Network. He writes, \u201cwhen the mind wanders, the default mode network is activated\u201d,(p.213). I hearken back to Meyer, Jan, and Ray Land. 2006. Overcoming Barriers to Student Understanding: Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge<\/em>. A threshold concept can be considered as akin to a portal, opening up a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something\u201d (p.4).<\/p>\n This opening portal brought me back to the AHA moment. Ina Catrinescu (Moldovan)\u2013 speaks to the Aha Moments: See Aha! Moments: The art & science of breakthroughs | Ina Catrinescu | TEDxTirguMures https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FDNy9HFEcaM. At the 9:10 minute mark, Catrinescu describes the DO Nothing experience where the unconscious mind continues to work the problem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kally Elliot writes that her mom would say \u201cNow, go to bed and let your brain work on it while you\u2019re asleep.\u201d Elliot continues, in his book, Spell Bound, Daniel Lieberman reveals how to partner your ego or conscious mind with your unconscious to better make decisions, learn tasks, or, in my case, write sermons. He writes, \u201cThe ego and the unconscious are good at different types of mental processing, and humans function most effectively when there is an optimal division of labor.\u201d[3]<\/p>\n I do remember (was it last year?) when the Default Mode Network appeared on our reading charts. Previously, I have said that the time ironing clothes were \u201chours of my life lost.\u201d With Overcoming Barriers to Student Understanding: Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge<\/em> and now Lieberman I have been reinforced in perceiving the mundane tasks of \u201chouse husbandry\u201d<\/strong> into moments patiently waiting for the AHA moments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Lieberman ends up on Transcendence in his final chapter. Perhaps this is the most important take away from the book. In his introduction he writes, \u201cThe final section of the book will detail this process further and examine how it leads to transcendence, a state of balance and contentment arising from the ability to go beyond a focus on one\u2019s personal needs and attain a more cosmic perspective.\u201d[4]<\/p>\n In part III, Lieberman writes, \u201cThe ultimate goal of the mystical journey is transcendence, a word that means \u201cto go beyond.\u201d In the mystical tradition, transcendence refers to rising above the apparent duality of opposites.\u201d[5]\u00a0 He refers back to Jung, \u201cIn Jungian psychology, transcendence is seen in the unity of opposites contained within the archetypes, the joining of darkness of light and the spiritual with the chthonic.\u201d[6] (Chthon\u00b7ic adjective – concerning, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld: “a chthonic deity”<\/p>\n Sigh.<\/p>\n Perhaps Lieberman redeems himself in my eyes when he goes on to, \u201cSelf-transcendent people look outward, away from themselves, prioritizing friends and family, humanity, other species, and the universe as a whole.\u201d[7]<\/p>\n Lieberman\u2019s comment reminds me of a previous blogpost I did for Polanyi[8] , \u201cEnter the Generation Y (30 somethings) and Z (20\u2019s). These generations consume global information at a \u201cstaggering\u201d pace. The consumer power they wield is tremendous and through the power of social media than can expose \u201cindustry dirty laundry\u201d to millions of other consumers globally. These and future generations are intensely aware of climate change, work force conditions and other socially conscious issues which impact their purchasing choices \u2013 one power. The power of \u201ccancellation\u201d is the other power.<\/p>\n Travis Vaughn<\/strong> puts transcendence into perspective for me when he writes, \u201cAs Christians, we have an ALLY similar (and dissimilar) to how Lieberman refers to the unconscious. Where Paul says he does the things he doesn\u2019t want to do, WHO does he turn to? \u201cWho will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.\u201d Our ALLY is the transcendent God. Travis ends\u2026 \u201cHaving the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, we walk with God\u2019s Spirit to produce the fruit (see Galatians 5:22) we can\u2019t in our own power. God is our ally \u2013 God is helping us! This is how we connect with transcendence.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks Travis.<\/p>\n
\nFor want of word space I resort to pictures. Does anyone remember this?<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe id: I want to skip my workout because I feel lazy and just want to relax.
\nThe superego: I shouldn\u2019t skip the workout because it\u2019s essential for my health and discipline.
\nThe ego: I can do a shorter workout today and make up for it with a longer session tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cJung had an inexhaustible knowledge of mythology, religion and philosophy, and was particularly knowledgeable in the symbolism connected to traditions such as Alchemy, Kabala, Buddhism and Hinduism. Utilising this vast knowledge, Jung believed that humans experienced the unconscious through numerous symbols encountered in various aspects of life such as dreams, art, and religion.\u201d<\/p>\n