Holding the Tension of the Opposites

by Marion Woodman

According to Woodman, life's great challenge is in developing an integration between the spirit and body. From this integration, there arises a divine "tension," allowing for a new consciousness to unfold. This challenging session on uniting opposing forces in the psyche will interest listeners familiar with Woodman's acclaimed Addiction to Perfection.

Genres: Psychology, Spirituality

60 pages, Audio Cassette

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

Marion Woodman was a Canadian mythopoetic author and women's movement figure. She was a Jungian analyst trained at the C. G. Jung Institute in Zürich, Switzerland. She was one of the most widely read authors on feminine psychology, focusing on psyche and soma. She was also an international lecturer and poet. Her collection of audio and visual lectures, correspondence, and manuscripts are housed at OPUS Archives and Research Center, in Santa Barbara, California. Among her collaborations with other authors she wrote with Thomas Moore, Jill Mellick and Robert Bly. Her brothers were the late Canadian actor Bruce Boa and Jungian analyst Fraser Boa.

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to break out of my box lately.

I’m a psychotherapist and I have been searching for different ways of conceptualizing cases and working with people.

This year I have been exploring models of psychology and psychotherapy that I have previously steered (way) clear of including psychoanalysis and depth psychology.

Along the way I have discovered some really fascinating and useful constructs and techniques.

The experience has been fun, insight engendering and expansive both personally and professionally.

One of the ideas I have been interested in is the Jungian shadow e.g. the aspects (dark or light) of ourselves that we cannot or refuse to experience.

The basic idea is that if we can gain insight into this repressed self material, we can integrate it into our lives as a source of vitality.

Conversely, if the shadow material remains latent, or undiscovered, and unintegrated, it can dominate our thoughts, feelings, behaviors and relationships is all kinds of awful ways.

I’m very attracted to working with the shadow in my personal life and with my clients. It’s very powerful and transformative work.

And it’s a lot of fun.

Everyone LOVES Dante’s Inferno. Nobody reads Purgatorio or Paradisio. There’s a good reason.

Anyway.

I’m on a little quest explore this territory and bring home a treasure or two.

Unfortunately, this audio program is a bit of a dud.

It’s too brief and it feels a little confused.

I’ll keep looking 😐

[Anita Ashland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love listening to Marion Woodman audios.

“In talking to our own shadow, in owning it, in embodying it, we are empowered. You see, once you've done this you're not going to be judgmental of other people. You know what a mess you are yourself. And you forgive yourself. And you don't find yourself making judgements about other people or being self-righteous. And your heart opens in compassion. And here's where the healing of ourselves heals others. “

[Carol Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marion Woodman’s work is profound. I shall never tire of returning to her incredible insights in times of need.

[Marina Resende · Rating 5 out of 5]

so precious!!

[Kent Winward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, but a bit too short for the topic.

[Rain Jewelle Martin]

brilliant and indelible!