Journeys of a Pregnant Virgin

After three and a half months at home in Vancouver I'm back in Zurich!

I'm pleased to be here but this semester already has a different feel to it than the last one, which had a leisurely and spacious quality to it that I loved. Now that I am cautiously but definitely moving toward becoming an "official" training candidate at ISAP, there is much to be done including six Admission Interviews over the next few weeks and beginning to look for a Training Analyst. I don't think I will have quite the same freedom to wander the streets and bridges of Zurich nor to visit Cafe Spruengli that I had last semester, alas. But I'm sure I will enjoy (more than) my fair share of Swiss chocolate as I work my way through the required readings for various seminars, so that is some consolation.

The semester seems more packed with lectures and seminars than the last one, and given that I am here for only six weeks before Christmas and then another six in January, I'm trying to get to as many as possible. There is also the chance to do some more Psychodrama one weekend, so it will be a very full time indeed. This online "Letter from Zurich" will hopefully serve the purpose of offering my friends on the other side of the ocean a little window into my Zurich experience. (And please don't hesitate to email me if you feel like it, same address as ever - Schiwy3@shaw.ca)

Today I finally feel back to myself again. Jetlag kept me awake for most of the first few nights and by yesterday I was beyond exhausted and could hardly keep my eyes open during the movement seminar I've been looking forward to so much. I don't know if I have ever slept close to twelve hours at one go before, but last night I went to bed at 10, got up to write down a dream at 7 am, then went back to bed and slept until 10! And got up feeling mighty fine! I've taken it slow today and made an enormous pot of soup (leeks, carrots, potatoes, rutabago, parsley, corn, and lentils) that will go into the freezer and provide many quick suppers after long days of classes. There is something so wholesome and comforting about chopping vegetables for soup and then smelling its aroma throughout the house. Thankfully my landlady agrees!

On Wednesday, my first full day here, a group from ISAP took several trains to see Jung's tower in Bollingen. We were greeted by a grandson of his who gave us some background and told several interesting anecdotes about his childhood experiences there. Jung's round stone kitchen was wonderful with its large open fireplace and stone floor and walls. It had a powerful primitive energy and I could imagine roasting meat in the open fire and then tearing it off the bone with primal pleasure. Who needs forks and knives and napkins? But that is as far as we got. I was disappointed not to see any of the other rooms because Jung kept building additions throughout his entire life and it all looks fascinating from the outside. His descendents still use it as living space, however, and so it remains private property.

I have several long reading assignments for the coming week so will close for now. My hope is to write at least once a week and again attempt to capture a few "bead memories" of my time in Zurich. One final thought: I still feel my inner Virgin "pregnant with possibility" as I delve deeper into the realms of psyche and soma here in beautiful autumnal Zurich. Let's see what the coming weeks bring.

Until next weekend, then, best wishes to all...