Listen with the heart and heal the soul: A jungian reflective analysis of holistic Indigenous practices for group therapeutic facilitation

Title : Listen with the heart and heal the soul: A jungian reflective analysis of holistic Indigenous practices for group therapeutic facilitation

Abstract:

More often than not, emotionally unregulated and chaotic communication is the root cause of disturbances in interpersonal relationships, social connectedness, ultimately hindering personal growth and one's ability to make sense of the social world. Respective dialogue has transformative and therapeutic power, it encourages empathic self expression and mental harmony. The Talking Stick-Circle, rooted in Native American origin as an indigenous practice is a holistic tool for enhancing mental wellness, socio-cultural group cohesion, and therapeutic communication. Grounded in the Native origin narrative (retold by Kimberly Hardick as a story for children (2017)) it goes as follows- as the mothers were away to collect food, the village grandmothers were appointed to care for the grandchildren. Doing which they heard a loud argument between a Crow and Magpie. Engrossed in the argument they accidentally lost the sacred feather of the Eagle, noticing which, the Eagle intervened wisely. Instead of accepting the feather, the Eagle instructed them to create a Talking Stick, a sacred staff to promote respectful empathetic listening and open, non-judgemental communication in the village. Using the Jungian interdisciplinary qualitative research approach, Native American indigenous practices, rituals, ceremonies and storytelling council sacred narratives are explored and reflected on in this research, to understand the importance of harmonious communication reciprocity and the role of such holistic practices in group therapy settings. Ultimately, the talking stick-circle and such holistic community practices, tools facilitate the awakening of the inner voice, unraveling the inner psychological treasures of healing reflective in the clinical context as well. Aligned with the ritualistic talking circle, the Indian mythological sacred episode of Samudra Manthan (the Churning of the Ocean) will also be reflected on focusing on individual transformation through collective struggle, an outcome of group therapeutic work.

Keywords: Talking Stick, Talking Circle, Jungian Analysis, Group Therapy & Indian Mythology

Biography:

Priyanka Gupta, a PhD graduate in Psychology with a specialization in Jungian psychology and mythology from the University of Delhi, India (2023). Her doctoral thesis explored the hero archetype, through the distinctive prism of Hindu and Native American mythology. As a researcher, she is captivated by the interplay of the meaning of symbols, life, and religions, drawing inspiration from the novel perspectives laid by prominent Jungian and Psychology thinkers. Beyond academia, she is a writing enthusiast and a painter.