Climate crisis and consciousness; re-imagining our world and ourselves

Abstract

After a dream about the end of the world, Sally Gillespie closed her private practice to pursue a PhD in psychological responses to the climate crisis. She had practiced as a Jungian psychotherapist for over 20 years. In this way, we are introduced to the transformational potential of the climate crisis, when met with courage and honesty and experienced through the medium of dreams, myth and story. This book is an in-depth exploration of the personal and collective challenges posed by the existential threat of the climate crisis. It is written predominantly from a Jungian perspective, but the author references Buddhist and Indigenous wisdom teachings as well, and includes research on behaviour change. It is well researched and wide ranging including Gillespie’s personal experiences with her unconscious including her dream life. There are numerous references to myths and stories which express and give shape to the new narrative which she says is essential to our survival on Earth. She writes: