“What we hold close in our imaginal world are not just images and ideas but living bits of soul; when they are spoken, a bit of soul is carried with them. When we tell our tales, we give away our souls.” (James Hillman, Myth of Analysis, page 182)

Since my blog bears the title, “Living Bits of Soul,” it seemed fitting to explain where that name came from and why I chose to use it for my blog...

My studies in depth psychology focused, in large part, on the work of Carl Jung and James Hillman and their respective psychologies: Jung and analytical psychology, and Hillman and archetypal psychology. While both psychologies shape my world view and my work in the world, it was archetypal psychology and the writings of James Hillman that resonated most deeply. When asked by one of my professors to reflect upon the impact of studying archetypal psychology and Hillman’s writings, I responded as follows:

“I gnaw on Hillman’s writing much like a dog with a favorite bone. Even when I’m unsure of the exact meaning of the words I savor the experience. When I set the pages aside, they creep into my thought, and I find myself wondering what richness lies deeper within. I continue to chew on the tricky first layer, waiting for the inner layer and a deeper understanding to reveal itself to me. There is something about what I am reading that holds great significance to me, even if I cannot yet fully explain it. Exploring Hillman’s imaginal engagement with life and his concept of soul-making has enlivened me. I feel as if I am on the verge of remembering something important that I have forgotten. I’m not exactly sure what it is yet, but I seem to know that the moment is just around the corner.

In my reading of Hillman prior to this class, I had avoided Re-Visioning Psychology [one of Hillman’s books that was required reading for the course I was in]. I am a teacher. I am a facilitator. I am life coach. I am not a psychologist. This was not the book for me. The Soul’s Code, The Force of Character - those were the books that held meaning for me. Then I began to read. As much as The Soul’s Code continues to be a guiding force, I have found a guidebook in Re-Visioning. Life makes more sense. My imaginal nature has taken root. The opportunity to explore Hillman’s works, to stumble through explaining what it was that I was encountering, has helped me to begin to “see through” Hillman. I imagined into the reading and posting each week. Things fell apart as I struggled to make meaning of the words I was given to read and reflect upon. Yet, in looking back on the last few months, I feel as if I have experienced a little bit of soul-making in the process. Perhaps this is a glimpse of the “growing down” that Hillman speaks of, the opportunity to come that much closer to the “me” I am called to be.”

As a re-read these words that I wrote in the Fall of 2015 – nine years ago - I realize how much my introduction to the imaginal perspective of archetypal psychology has impacted me as a person, and my work as a coach and facilitator. Hillman’s writings, including that very book that I most resisted (Re-Visioning Psychology), have become the foundation that I lean on as I experience this human adventure that we call life.

While there are many quotes pulled from Hillman’s writing that speak to me, the quote I began this blog post with seems to embody the honored task that I have agreed to when I put on the mantle of coach and facilitator: “What we hold close in our imaginal world are not just images and ideas but living bits of soul; when they are spoken, a bit of soul is carried with them. When we tell our tales, we give away our souls.” 

I have often been the recipient of these bits of souls, words shared that hold the essence of images and ideas sacred to an individual or group that I have been given the privilege of working with. Each time, as I listen to the story shared, I remember that the person speaking is revealing to me a bit of their soul—speaking aloud words that provide an authentic glimpse of who they are at their core. The significance of this gift is not taken for granted, and in the sharing, we are given the opportunity to enhance our creative partnership by inviting an imaginal perspective to guide us. That is the gift of soul, and that is why these specific words hold such meaning for me, and the reason my blog bears the title, “Living Bits of Soul.”

Keep sparkling,

Marta