I am thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new blog! My intention is for this blog to be a collaborative space, about us - embracing a collective approach, inviting opinionated guest collaborators to share their unique perspectives. From thought-provoking pieces to perspectives, it is my hope that our blog will be enriched by a range of voices - and it will be more interesting that way. In the coming months, you’ll meet our first guest contributors, explore diverse topics, and dive into spirited discussions around psychotherapy and life. In the liminal space.
It would be incomplete if I didn't include some hesitation I have in publishing material. This is because of the understanding that any creative material reflects not only the individuals they are from but also the moment in time when they originate. The zeitgeist - the spirit of the times - lives through us all. Even works considered groundbreaking or ahead of their era is still constrained by the limitations of, and carry echoes of their time. It is with this appreciation that I hope everything emerging from this blog will be accepted. It is, like us, will be and will remain, a ‘product of its time’.
As can be seen from the following cases, temporal factors - whether societal norms, biases, or evolving archetypes - shape the product.
Assagioli’s work
Roberto Assagioli (1888-1974), the Italian founder of Psychosynthesis, had ideas shaped by his contemporaries, including Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Assagioli’s writings have been both visionary and controversial. Some of his ideas have been criticised as sexist by modern standards. For instance, Assagioli’s views on gender roles and relationships at times reflect the norms from early 20th-century Europe. Some of his work reveal assumptions about gender roles and traits.
Literature that ‘aged badly’
The literary world possibly captures the prevalent cultural zeitgeist best - and maybe in the future the medium maybe different. Some of the writing of the poet Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936), British author of children’s books Enid Blyton (1897–1968), to others active even today, can be seen to contain themes of ethnic stereotypes and elitism. In 2018, students at Manchester University defaced a mural featuring Kipling's poem "If." They replaced it with Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise" as a stand against what today is identified as Kipling's racist work. The students felt that Kipling's poem did not align with their values, especially considering the imperialist message of his poem "The White Man's Burden". The students' actions themselves point to their desire to represent the contemporary cultural zeitgeist, replacing the former.
Archetypal evolution
Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist and Analytical Psychologist Carl Jung (1875 - 1961) introduced the concept of archetypes - primordial universal patterns or unchanging yet adaptable more-than symbols that reside in the collective unconscious of humanity. These archetypes shape our thoughts, behaviours, and relationships. Archetypes appear in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and everyday narratives, as well as seen in literature, art, and music. While core archetypes remain unchanged, our relationship with, and interpretation of the archetypal themes shift as cultural contexts change. As archetypes are reinterpreted, they evolve to contain contemporary meaning. For example, the hero archetype in superhero comics reflect modern ideals of justice and courage, different from how the hero was interpreted through the ages.
The balance
Creative material capture the spirit of its time, even when artists push boundaries and challenge conventions - they exist within that time and space. By acknowledging both the merits and flaws of published material given their context, we can navigate the complexities of our history. Cancel culture, hoping to protect, can damage the possibility of nuanced conversations. While it sheds light on injustice, it also stifles dialogue and understanding. To transcend these limitations, striking a balance between accountability and empathy remains crucial.
I hope this blog will walk that tightrope.