Remembering the Ancestral Soul: Soul Loss and Recovery
by
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Interview with Matthew Fox, Founder and Dean of the University of Creation Spirituality
The language of “soul loss” has something very poetic about it, something spiritual and big--because it’s a big thing that is draining away from us. It suggests that everything from our values to our communities to all our relationships are distorted. One example of this distortion is the infinite number of distractions (i.e., addictions) that our culture offers us on a daily basis. Instead of soul food, we are being offered junk--ersatz, pseudo soul food. This food fails to nourish the deepness of the soul. Instead, it taps into desire, it taps into little things that the soul wants without going into the soul’s longing and to the deepness of the soul. It’s what the mystics have always said—it’s about the outer instead of the inner. It’s about the superficial instead of the deep. And it goes on and on. Our economy of consumerism is built on turning us into consumers and consumers of trivia. The soul doesn’t live on trivia. So much of the media—including television, news, political speeches, advertising—is trivia.
I think that soul loss can happen in a number of ways. One is that we are disconnected from our roots. We are disconnected from our home. We are disconnected from belonging to one another in spirit and other living beings. What fills in that empty place in our capitalistic society is consumerism. That’s fine for the powers-that-be because that is what keeps the wheels turning, but I think that we are all really disconnected. I see it in kids as well. I see that same pattern—acquiring, boredom, the inability to turn inward or to look out at nature—that is one route for soul loss.
Interview with Anita Barrows, Ph.D., poet, Jungian Therapist
Another (very connected) route is in the kinds of physical, emotional, and sexual abuses that goes on. The perpetrators of abuse are disconnected from their lives and so they are acting out a means of violence. I see so many kids in families who are not looked at for who they are. The parents have narcissistic needs that they impose on the kids, so very early on the kids lose track of their souls. It is stunning and terrifying. Kids are not being given anything by the schools or by the culture at large to grow on. We have wasted our children, and I see it. I have a 17-year-old who basically has dropped out of school. She’s doing independent study. It is great for her because she can do it on her own and do her music and her art and the other things that she cares about. She was just dying in high school. She was exhausted all the time, drained by the lack of respect, the lack of stimulation, the lack of inspiration, the lack of nourishment.
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About the Book
Ten elders are interviewed from cross-cultural perspectives on the epidemic condition recognized worldwide by indigenous cultures as Soul Loss. Elders from American Indian cultures, Jungian psychologists, energy healers, ministers, an astrologer, educators and activists speak candidly on their personal views and life experience as it relates to Soul Loss in our present day culture. Their wisdom and guidance provides insights and hope for healing and for the evolution of humankind as we traverse these troubled times.
“In Remembering the Ancestral Soul, Jane Ely guides the reader to the core of one of the most widespread psychological problems in western society-soul loss. In her fascinating approach, she provides a variety of perspectives from different cultures where we truly learn to understand the impact soul loss can have on every aspect of our lives and are presented with invaluable solutions. To fully heal we need to bring our lost soul pieces back and integrate them. This book is a must read for anybody with the desire to become whole again and create peace in their lives and their world.”
Kay Whitaker, Ph.D., Author of The Reluctant Shaman and The Sacred Link
About the Author
Jane Ely, Ph. D., D. Min. is trained in transpersonal psychology, imaginal therapy, journey work and energy medicine for transformational healing. She most recently earned her Doctor of Ministry from The University of Creation Spirituality, founded by Matt Fox. In addition, she follows the spiritual traditions of her American Indian elders and is an enrolled Cherokee and Mi''kmaq. She is also a storyteller with a CD entitled Ancestral Journey. She teaches internationally on the subjects of ecopsychology emphasising our inter-relatedness with all life; dream work; peacemaking skills; and healing practices with a focus on returning to sacred ceremony. Jane is the Dean of The Peacemaker School of Spiritual Healing, www.peacemakerschool.com. She lives in