October 2003 - May 2011
"If you build it, they will come."
In the fall of 2003, Scott Hyder, Jungian analyst, started a book group at Barnes and Noble, in Boise, for those interested in Jungian based works. The seeds shared there were planted in fertile soil, and perhaps unknowingly for most, the gestation process for Idaho Friends of Jung began. The book group has been highly successful and is now meeting at the Log Cabin.
During the winter of 2005, people interested in an opportunity for more in-depth study of the works of Carl Jung attended an additional book/study group facilitated by Scott. Several people that attended that group also traveled to Portland to attend some Oregon Friends of Jung weekend workshops. Interest in forming a more formal group in Idaho began to build.
In May, 2006, Susan Scott, author of Healing with Nature, spoke at one of the book groups sponsored by Scott. After Susan’s presentation/discussion, a “Nuts and Bolts” paper was passed around for those wishing to pursue the idea of launching an Idaho Friends of Jung group. In the summer and fall of 2006, that “Nuts and Bolts” group met and eight people formed the steering committee for Idaho Friends of Jung. Lots of possibilities were discussed during that time, some organizational decisions were made, and a Mission Statement was considered. Further gestation….
In October, 2006, Idaho Friends of Jung announced itself in a “formal” capacity at a panel discussion on global warming held at the Boise Public Library. Scott Hyder was a presenter at the gathering, and served as a representative of Idaho Friends of Jung. Information about Idaho Friends of Jung was made available to those present at the forum, the schedule for the book groups was handed out, and a signup sheet was passed around for those who wanted to know more. The IFJ Steering Committee then met on a monthly basis through the winter and spring of 2006-2007, and continued to build the framework for Idaho Friends of Jung.
In May, 2007 the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship sponsored a weekend workshop with Richard Tarnas, Jungian scholar and author of Passion of the Western Mind. Idaho Friends of Jung was a major supporter of this effort and as a result a close relationship with the Unitarian church was established.
In September, 2007, the Idaho Friends of Jung sponsored the film "Matter of Heart" at The Flicks in Boise. It SOLD OUT! The event was a real boost to the awareness of Idaho Friends of Jung in the Boise community. After the film event, the work of building Idaho Friends of Jung in the community continued almost non-stop.
"Matter of Heart" provided the impetus for offering salons throughout the year where people could gather together for fellowship and to listen to presentations on various Jungian topics. Workshops were offered the following day for those who wished to pursue the topic in further depth. During the 2007-2008 eight season salons were offered and interspersed with these six book groups were given.
In October, 2008, Idaho Friends of Jung sponsored a very successful lecture and workshop with Dr. James Hollis, who spoke about the subject of his book, Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life. The presentation was another SOLD OUT event. The event confirmed that Idaho Friends of Jung had become an important cultural resource for Boise and surrounding area.
Following the Hollis presentation Idaho Friends of Jung sponsored four Salons and four book groups for the 2008-2009 IFJ “season.” Instead of attempting to sponsor a salon and book group every month as was done the year before it was decided that it worked better to alternate between book group and salon.
During the 2009-2010 “season” Joseph Rutte, a Jungian analyst from Seattle, presented a fascinating salon on the topic of Victor White and Carl Jung’s relationship. Joseph was well qualified for discussing this topic because he had been a priest earlier in his life before becoming and Jungian analyst.
In April Idaho Friends of Jung joined with the Boise Unitarians to help sponsor Dr. Richard Tarnas’s second visit to Boise. His talk was entitled “Understanding Our Moment in History."
The last salon of the 2009-2010 “season” was given in May by Dr. David Ulansey, executive producer of the film, "Call of Life: Facing the Mass Extinction." The film, which was shown at The Flicks, was followed by a Salon and Workshop.
In conjunction with David’s presentation, Idaho Friends of Jung announced its effort to fulfill its mission of supporting greater awareness of Jung by donating Jung’s famous Red Book to various organizations. Organizations included: Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Boise Public Library, Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and The College of Southern Idaho.
Idaho Friends of Jung became an official 501C3 non-profit organization, allowing members to make tax-deductible donations to help support the organization. Membership, at a cost of $40, was offered to our community for the first time.
In October, for our first salon of the season, Scott Hyder presented "The Vampire, Inside and Out." His talk provided insight into the dynamic nature of the vampire archetype and its possessive qualities, which helps explain why it continues to fascinate people. Scott described how this archetype, which is usually experienced as something frightening, conveys a profound spiritual message when seen and redeemed within ourselves.
In November, Valerie McIlroy, a Jungian analyst from Spokane, spoke on Mr. Darcy, Jane Austin's hero in Pride and Prejudice. Her lecture explored love and partnership in contemporary society from a Jungian perspective using archetypal theory and the concepts of anima and animus to explore the endless complications that love evokes.
In February, Lara Newton spoke on her book Brothers and Sisters: Discovering the Psychology of Companionship. Lara laid the foundation for a new psychological perspective on the brother-sister relationship and explored the inner dimension related to the power of companionship.
In May, Gary Sparks spoke on his latest book, Valley of Diamonds: Adventures in Number and Time with Marie-Louise Von Franz. Jung was fascinated by the way numbers have a synchronistic relationship to the natural unfolding of our life’s story. He told Marie Louise von Franz near the end of his life that he wasn’t able to pursue this issue to its conclusion and suggested that she work on it. The result of her effort, which was published in her book, Number and Time, is the topic of Gary Sparks lecture.
Gary’s other book, At the Heart of Matter: Synchronicity and Jung’s Spiritual Testament, was the focus of a Salon given the previous year by Bill Renwick.