Jungian Psychology and the Modern ‘Soul’ with John Hoedl, Jungian Analyst, Edmonton

The notion of “soul” was central to Jung’s thinking and despite the narrow scientific parameters of his time he was adamant that psychology had to be a “psychology with soul.” Indeed, Jung wrote that he considered it his foremost task to “…open people’s eyes to the fact that man has a soul and there is a buried treasure in the field…”

To help us understand more deeply what a “psychology with soul” is, in this lecture we will reflect on Jung’s concept of “soul” as well as the importance he gave to its historical manifestations in, for example, myth, ritual and religion. This will provide a basis for a fresh reflection on how soul manifests in the personal (dreams), clinical (symptoms), and collective (culture) realms.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Born in northern Alberta, John Hoedl, M.A., spent his childhood and later years working on the family farm. He attended Grande Prairie Regional College from 1978 to 1981, and in 1983 received his B.P.E. (Bachelor of Physical Education) from the University of Alberta.

John has worked for over 10 years in various child welfare/social services positions in Edmonton including: Group Home Worker in a youth treatment centre, In-Home Family Support Worker and Family Counselor. In 1997, he received a Master's Degree in Counseling from Gonzaga University, Spokane and in the next year , he began his studies at the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2006 he received his diploma, moved to Edmonton, Alberta, and began his private practice. He lives with his wife, Monika, and two daughters Theresa and Johanna.