A Walk on the Beach with Jung
Rob K. Baum
Jung Journal October 2, 2018 DOI: 10.1080/19342039.2018.1512349 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Authentic Movement |
| Key findings | Argues that a witnessed Authentic Movement session generated a chain of synchronicity, and proposes that Jungian synchronicity is continuous and multiple rather than singular and unitary, potentially reproducing itself in the "quantum realm." The author contends this carries implications for Jungian analytic theory and quantum mechanics, including possible causal associations. |
Abstract
Authentic Movement can transport practitioners to altered states of consciousness, known in dance/movement therapy as the quantum realm (Leventhal 1997). Quantum is directly accessed through Authentic Movement (AM), an experiential “fact” validated but not satisfactorily explained: a relationship between AM and quantum physics was previously suggested (Plevin 1999) in terms of probability. Despite Jung’s known interest in quantum physics, Jungian synchronicity has not been connected through literature or practice with the quantum or Authentic Movement. AM is itself based in Jung’s active imagination, a development of dance/movement pioneer Mary Whitehouse. This case study consists of a carefully witnessed, reflective session of AM; the experiential writing it evoked; and the serendipitous, separate events enchained. This experience generates synchronicity. Acausal synchronicity (Jung 1960) is a naturally occurring phenomenon in the quantum universe. Jungian synchronicity is also shown to be an occurrence that is continuous rather than unitary, and multiple rather than singular. It could, therefore, be argued that synchronicity in the quantum realm generates other synchronous events, in essence reproducing itself. Implications for Jungian analytic theory as well as quantum mechanics suggest causal associations.