The APT-Birmingham Public Lecture
Saturday 7 March 2026
THE POWER OF SYMBOLS AND THE POETICS OF PEACE – CONNECTING THE PERSONAL, POLITICAL AND COSMIC
Richard Jenkins
Richard Jenkins
This lecture explores the significance of Jung’s notion of the ‘uniting symbol’—not only in relation to the treatment of personal trauma, but also in healing the body politic. Drawing on Jung’s distinctive thinking, especially as expressed in The Red Book, it considers the conditions that enable such symbols to arise in the consulting room and in communities. Special emphasis will be given to the poetic and political imagination needed to support the emergence of the uniting symbol.
The talk will draw parallels between the long-standing conflict in Ireland and today’s landscape, where competing truth claims undermine social trust, limit our capacity to think and speak, and fuel cycles of violence. Jung warned us “not to be indifferent to the poets,” as they “create from the very depths of the collective unconscious, voicing aloud what others only dream” (CW VI, §323). The paper will highlight the struggles of poets from the north of Ireland over the past century to give voice to that symbolic and imaginative depth.
It will suggest what we can learn from them and the emergent Northern Irish peace process about the ‘vocation’ of analytical psychology today.
Finally, the lecture offers a personal reflection on the making of a Jungian Analyst by someone born and raised in Belfast at the height of the conflict known as ‘The Troubles’.
Richard Jenkins is a Jungian Analyst and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. Before training at the Association of Jungian Analysts (AJA), he qualified at WPF Therapy. He teaches at the Bowlby Centre, on AJA’s training for qualified psychotherapists as well as the WMIP course. Richard holds degrees in Law, Theology, a Master’s in Contemporary Theology, and postgraduate diplomas in Pastoral Counselling and Psychodynamic Theory. His work is informed by a longstanding interest in the intersection of psyche, culture, and meaning.
APPLICATION DETAILS
This Lecture will be held via Zoom Video Conferencing only – from 10:15am – 12:45pm (GMT)
Please refer to the application form for further details on reduced fees offered
Bookings should be made/confirmed as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
PAYMENT DETAILS
Please make BACS payments as follows:
Bank: Barclays, Sort Code: 20-08-44, Account No: 03737950
Account Name: The Training in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy
(Please use your name as a reference)
For further details and queries contact:
Sue Harford, Administrator to the Training Committee,
telephone: 07789 545908, email: aptc@wmip.org
The APT-Birmingham
Public Lectures
For enquiries contact Sue Harford,
Administrator to the Training Committee
Unit 1A, West Stockwith Park,
Stockwith Road, Misterton,
Nottinghamshire DN10 4ES.
Telephone: 07789 545908
Email aptc@wmip.org
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