Friday, September 23, 2011
Dream Interpretation, Freud, Jung
Well, from the point of view that one goes to analysis to be "helped" and to make the subconscious conscious then consent, assent would seem essential ... but saying THAT is very different from implying that anyone can interpret their own dreams... certainly one may LEARN from therapy how to have self insight, but if one were so gifted as to have the intuitive ability for self-analysis then they would not need therapy .... the old adage of Socrates from the Delphic Oracle "know thyself."
The best book I ever read is by Sheldon Kopp "If You See the Buddha On the Road, Kill Him" (from an old Zen koan). Kopp discusses 10 or so patients. One was named "Willo" (neuter) because her parents had wanted a boy and wanted to call the boy Willis, but when they were disappointed with a girl the could not bring themselves to name her "Willa" (feminine). I read the book 30 years ago and only a few things stick in my mind. Another of Kopp's patients fretted over how he would get by after termination and Kopp explained that "when that time comes you will have internalized me just as one internalizes a parent's voice which continues to say 'turn off the lights' long after they have passed away." By the way, Freud, in the early days, was so anxious for patients that he would actually provide a few of the needy ones with food and clothing. Freud wanted his theories and methods to live on after him and was acutely aware of the rampant Antisemitism so Freud picked Jung as an heir, spokesperson. I have a book here about the Freud/Jung breakup entitled "Years of Friendship; Years of Loss" which grew out of a graduate student's paper at NYU.
Freud was a giant but he was overshadowed by Jung's intellect, in my estimation. It is also interesting that Alfred Adler was head of the Vienna Circle in those early days. Karen Horney, part of that circle I think, (pronounced Horn-EYE) was possible the first female in Germany to earn a medical degree.
