If you’ve never heard of Camille Seaman, you’re in for a treat.
Because so many of us here in the U.S. are dealing with scorching temperatures, I thought I’d offer an iceberg or two to cool you off. Photographer Camille Seaman shoots icebergs, showing the world the complex beauty of these massive, ancient chunks of polar ice. Not only is her work amazingly beautiful, but this is the perfect thing to watch on a hot summer day. Watch now >> on TED talks (4 minute video)
Why you should listen to her:
Camille Seaman
Camille Seaman takes photographs all over the world using digital and film cameras in multiple formats. Since 2003, her work has concentrated on the fragile environment of the polar regions. Her current project concerns the beauty of natural environments in Siberia.
Seaman’s photographs have been published in Newsweek, Outside, Zeit Wissen, Men’s Journal and more, and she has self-published many books on themes like “My China” and “Melting Away: Polar Images” through Fastback Creative Books, a company that she co-founded. In 2008, she was honored with a one-person exhibition, “The Last Iceberg,” at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC.
If you looking for a deeper reason to view these icebergs, I am reminded that Carl Jung had a theory that said that the part of the iceberg that is above the surface of the water is seen as the conscious mind. It’s the part of the mind that we live in most of the time, and contains information that is in our immediate awareness. Below the level of the conscious mind, and the bulk of the iceberg, is what Jung called the “personal unconscious.” Here we will find thoughts, feelings, urges and other information that is difficult to bring to consciousness. In fact, most of it will never see the light of day.
Let me know if this helps you stay cool!
P.S. I am an ex-shrink who writes novels that women love. Check out my books here.
I became quite skeptical of the idea of an “unconscious” mind ever since reading David K. Reynolds’ fantastic book, “Playing Ball on Running Water.†(It’s not out of print but can be found used on amazon for a buck or less.) From pages 40-41:
Some psychoanalytically oriented therapists want to know what we in Morita therapy do about the rage the clients may feel toward their parents. I point out that clients must do the same thing with rage that they must do with any feeling when it appears: that is, accept it and go on about doing what needs doing. “But what about the rage that is bottled up?†They asked. “Bottled up where?†I wanted to know.
There is no “hidden†rage. Where would we hide it? When we are angry at our parents, we are angry at them. Why do we need to assume that such anger lingers around somewhere in our psyches outside of our awareness? […]
You see, the notion that a symptom is still “there,†somehow, even when we don’t notice it is tied to the notion that we have only a singular personality. When you believe that you are sadistic or authoritarian or kind or sensitive or schizophrenic or odd or bright or loving, then you have to figure out something to explain why you are sometimes out of character. If you see yourself as an angry person and, yet, sometimes you are gentle and loving, then you have to believe that the anger is still there somewhere (repressed, perhaps) to preserve your image of yourself as angry. It isn’t necessary to make such contorted stretches of the imagination. Simple discard the notion that you have a single personality. Notice the variety that is you.
Hi Sonje,
This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing it. Of course, it challenges what I’ve learned in my training, but I like to be challenged, especially intellectually. Have you read the book: We’ve Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy and the World is Getting Worse by James Hillman? I agree with a lot of what he says about the whole psychotherapy movement. I will be pondering your excerpt. Thanks again. Meanwhile, stay cool!
Here is a comment from one of our lovely email subscribers:
“Truly, I feel cooler already!They are very beautiful. Thanks. xx”
I have not read that book, but it sounds interesting. 🙂