“All the gods, all the heavens, all the hells, are within you.” – Joseph Campbell
(Practicing Symbolic Thinking – Update 2025)
From Laura – celebrating “the irrational.”
Dear subscribers, friends, supporters,
Have you ever had the chance to look through a powerful telescope into a midnight, desert sky? Recently Rick and I visited the Powell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. One of the highlights was getting to see the hazy glory of the Orion Nebula – where baby stars are born! Babies. All during our Sedona trip I came upon exquisite babies. They were in restaurants and on hiking trails. These radiant newborns smiled at me and I felt overwhelmed inside. Was there an archetypal message in these synchronicities?
The final “baby” theme came during our visit to a site of prehistoric petroglyphs. Our guide pointed to an ancient stick figure and explained that it was the symbol for “birthing.”
Of course, my conscious Self chose to notice these encounters among many other choices. Our guide at the petroglyphs identified many different symbols that day. Still, the emotion that came with each baby sighting prodded me to examine the archetype more closely. It seemed I was encountering the Divine Child in many different forms. At first, I took a literal approach to these powerful encounters. I should volunteer to hold babies, at a hospital! But, as lovely as this could be, especially for me, I quickly realized I was missing the point. This was about my own inner child (sorry, a cliché but true in this case) and what it needed.
Even though I’ve been studying symbolic language my entire life (did I start in the womb?) I always feel like a complete novice when I attempt to speak or write in symbols. Speaking the language of the unconscious (the Objective Psyche) is hard! It is hard because it is a language of what is beyond reason, i.e. what is “irrational.” And so, I keep practicing – I practice when I explore my dreams, when I encounter a fairy tale, or read a sacred text.
Our films (and new podcast) are made with lots of love. They are dedicated toward building our skills in imagination and symbolic thinking. We hope you’ll add our films and podcast to your practice too.
Our newest project! A podcast! A dialogue between mystical Christianity and Depth Psychology – “The Laughing Mystics.”
Good friends Marci Madary & Laura Lewis-Barr bring differing perspectives to the Sunday readings of the liturgical calendar. Each week Marci shares her mystical Christian insights & infectious laughter with Laura, who ponders what Carl Jung & Joseph Campbell might say about these scriptures. Unscripted & lively, Laura & Marci offer as many questions as answers as to how Depth Psychology & Christianity might come together. New episodes every Friday! Write to us at [email protected]
I’m thrilled with this new podcast project. My history with the Catholic church is a central part of my individuation journey. I felt a calling to create this new art-work , especially when the brilliant and talented Marci Madary agreed to join me in the local sound booth. While we both do some preparation for our conversations on the Sunday’s scripture readings, neither of use know what we will say, and we both have no memory of what we’ve said! We are clearly “inspired by the Holy Spirit” (Marci) or “allowing the Unconscious to speak” (me).
For my part, there is great joy but also some fear as I share a symbolic view of the scripture. When I moved toward a symbolic viewpoint (after reading some biblical scholarship in a religion class) I was extremely disoriented and anxious. I know that some people may be angry at me for what I’m saying. And some won’t care about this subject at all. If you’re curious about a conversation that includes a symbolic reading of the Jesus story, check us out!
Practicing Symbolic Thinking – Screenings, Workshops, other updates
“Dumpling” is an official selection of the Tennessee International Film Festival! I hope to attend Nov 6-9, 2025!
As I continue to heal, I am starting to venture out in the world again –as a coach in emotional intelligence and public speaking, and in the adventures below.
I’ll be on a panel for Myth Fest: Art and Music 2025, hosted by the International Society of Mythology (ISM). It’s a virtual festival that explores the powerful impact mythology has on art and music. Saturday, April 26th, 2025, 11 AM to 5 PM ET. Join us for a fantastic day of exploring art that explores mythology. Use barrmythfest425 code to receive 10% of your registration. Here’s more info and the registration page.
Coming soon! I look forward to sharing a recently recorded podcast episode with Mythic Imaginations. Matt will be leading some FREE workshops using Psyche Cinema films!
To receive info on these and other events, please follow any of our social media links.
My busier schedule has slowed down production of “Rumpelstiltskin.” My cast hangs around the house, looking at me. Are they annoyed? I look forward to getting back into the basement soon.
Have you seen our film, The Telling Tale? Here’s a recent blog pot about the symbolism of this short film – one of our earliest. Watching films is ideally a communal activity. Consider watching this or other Psyche Cinema films in a group! Groups are always surprised by the wisdom they find when exploring these tales together.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you for watching our films. Thank you for leaving comments on the website! Please share this newsletter and our films with anyone you know who is interested in Jungian psychology, inner-work, imagination, and subversive homemade art.
