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Analysts and psychotherapists spend their time in the shadowy dark places of the psyche. We are used to reading books about depression, hate and despair. Rarely do we meet with those who show the feelings of joy, inspiration and hope which are the content of the discussion of Verena Kast's book. Reading this book has had a deep impact on me for she has focused on a quite different description of human nature to our familiar one. It made me question how our borderline patients would react to such a change of emphasis, surely they would expect us to stay with them in the shadows until they are ready to emerge? Kast comments that often we look to the pathologies of the manias. We know that these important opposites are needed to help us to manage the destructive and despairing aspects of our warring world, yet they are often neglected.
Verena Kast is a Professor of Psychology at Zurich University and the present President of the International Association of Analytical Psychology. She was invited to give the first of the annual Fay Lectures at the A. & M. University of Texas; they were designed to enhance and further the ideas of Jung among students and therapists, as well as the general public. The essays are fresh and create a lively and provocative dialogue with the reader. As with her other books we are immediately engaged in her argument. As I was drawn into the discussion I could see that her careful and scholarly points were well illustrated with material from her own patients and their exploration of these neglected areas.
Far from being out of touch with reality, it is clear that a large area of work is being tapped in a way which focuses on the individual and the capacity for psychic growth. Kast's suggestion, with which I agree, is that as a person individuates, relationships and groups beyond the individual will be influenced and vice versa. Although I was dogged with negative sceptical thoughts it became a pleasure to concentrate, and involve myself in areas