Comments on: The goddess Kali and Religious Naturalism, by Colin Robinson

By: Colin Robinson

Colin Robinson — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:48:26 +0000

Hi Lina,

Jai Ma! So glad you like the site. I appreciate the questions you’ve raised.

One difference I have with Jungians is that they generally interpret deities as images of Self, whereas I interpret deities as images of Self and Other. As I am a man, Kali is for me more Other, Shiva is more Self. Yet there is Self in Other, and Other in Self.

I used to find both Shiva and Kali rather frightening, because of their association with death. I prayed to them, and requested them not to frighten me except as a warning. When I had made that prayer, I found that my fears were greatly decreased.

On the broader question of negative western interpretations of Kali, I think they are caused (at least partly) by cultural attitudes to nature and the body… But I also want to say that western and Jungian interpretations are diverse, and Jungians don’t always portray Kali just as the negative aspect of the feminine.

Have you looked at Heinrich Zimmer’s book “Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization”? Zimmer does see one particular image of Kali as negative. However he also comments on other images of Shakti, which he thinks incomplete for the opposite reason — because they show only the positive. And finally he draws attention to particular images of Kali which he says balance the positive and negative and offer peace.

Another Jungian book you may find worth looking at, if you haven’t already, is “Dancing in the Flames: the Dark Goddess and the New Mythology” by Marion Woodman and Elinor Dickson. They mention Kali as one of a number of female deities relevant to dreams of the “fierce and loving Goddess”.

If you have further questions or comments, or experiences or ideas you’d like to share, I will be very happy to hear from you. You can contact me via email: colinr@zipworld.com.au

Best wishes
Colin

By: LINA MOOKERJEE

LINA MOOKERJEE — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:49:33 +0000

Hi Colin it’s a pleasure to read your site and I wondered if it was possible to dialogue with you. I am currently researching for my MA dissertation. I am challenging the west’s/Jungian negative portrayal of kali and her relegation as an archetype of the negative unconscious feminine. I want to consider the usefulness of exposing the fullness of kali as an important archetype in her own right for those entering therapy in search of self/ individuation process.

My question to you is : as one who has actively explored to understand her, why do you think this reputation exists? As a man, do you fear her? If so, why? What do you think kali can teach the western occidental mind?

I look forward to hearing from you.

With kindest regards – LINA MOOKERJEE
Ps I am a kali devotee!

By: Rua Lupa

Rua Lupa — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 14:28:37 +0000

Don’t we already see the inherent value of Nature by experiencing it as is with its life sustaining properties? I’m already thankful for the clever way plants provide fruit so that creatures can disperse the seeds. The way plants purify the water, and the way that we find comfort around them. It is more of a mutual relationship, and more like plants (more specifically the many seed bearing species) are using us as tools than the other way around. I find no need to personify something in my mind’s eye when I can see and experience its true form right here in front of me every day. Wild harvesting is one of my favorite ways of experiencing Nature’s inherent value.

Oh, by the way I’ve finally got the Ehoah Bioregional Quiz up and running on the website. http://ehoah.weebly.com/bioregional-quiz.html
Check it out to see how much you know about the area in which you live.

By: Upcoming work « Humanistic Paganism

Upcoming work « Humanistic Paganism — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 12:03:37 +0000

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By: B. T. Newberg

B. T. Newberg — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:27:14 +0000

It’s interesting to compare that to naturalism. In naturalism, too, things in nature are not usually inherently good or evil, they just are as they are. However, this does not necessarily bring to mind a moral conclusion, since we are used to thinking of things in nature as tools or objects. If instead we saw them as parts of a goddess, their inherent value might shine forth.

By: Rua Lupa

Rua Lupa — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 01:45:03 +0000

Thank you for sharing this Colin. I particularly liked the quote on Kali as Nature, especially the part “… all the gunas [qualities] cease to be enemies. Nothing is then a stain. It is no longer necessary to regard the world as stained, and to look upon another as stainless.”

By: Insomnia Series: Music to Soothe your Soul: Anugama – Tantric Day « Talesfromthelou's Blog

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:04:47 +0000

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By: marcelgomessweden

marcelgomessweden — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:07:37 +0000

Reblogged this on Marcel Gomes - Sweden.