<p>A Jungian psychotherapist who approaches the most seemingly ordinary human experience with the curiosity and reverence of a philosopher and a poet, Mitchell Smolkin, MACP, RP, is a profoundly interesting conversation partner. &nbsp;We work through some big questions in this episode. Specifically, we discuss how therapy can intersect with spirituality in moments of great suffering to be a profound meaning-making tool in our lives.</p> <p>How do we find dignity in suffering? [1:30]</p> <ul> <li>Accepting suffering and resisting violence to the individual;</li> <li>Carl Jung’s influence and his “appetite for mythology” as a tool for making meaning;</li> <li>12 Step Recovery as a framework.</li> </ul> <p>How can we use art and religious narratives to make meaning? [8:45]</p> <ul> <li>The Art of Marc Chagall;</li> <li>Religious narratives as a tool for making sense out of daily life;</li> <li>Video games as mythological frameworks.</li> </ul> <p>Why is it so difficult to talk about spiritual and religious identity? [13:30]</p> <ul> <li>Complexities of religious identities;</li> <li>Jewish rituals of collective mourning after the crusades;</li> <li>Spiritual practice as a collective connection rather than the modern idea of self-development.</li> </ul> <p>How do you work with religion and spirituality in the therapy room? [20:00]</p> <ul> <li>Transforming suffering into poetry;</li> <li>Charles Darwin - no single organism is exactly the same as another;</li> <li>Carl Jung - everyone has their psychology.</li> </ul> <p>How can we acknowledge and work with our cultural and spiritual inheritance in therapy? [27:30]</p> <ul> <li>Forgiving frailties of the individual human psyche, re: group fanaticism, mob mentality;</li> <li>Mass graves of Indigenous children in Canada and the Catholic Church;</li> <li>Reckoning with the realities of history without judging.</li> </ul> <p>What would you say to people who are suffering right now?<strong> </strong>[36:30]</p> <ul> <li>Healing involves connection, and connection requires risk;</li> <li>Intimacy comes with pain because it touches against our wounds;</li> <li>Going deep into the lexicon of our pain</li> </ul> <p>For Mitchell’s podcast, look up "The Dignity of Suffering" wherever podcasts are found. Also, you can visit Mitchell at <a href="https://mitchellsmolkin.com/" target="_blank">https://mitchellsmolkin.com/</a></p> <p>For more of Matt Shedd's work, visit https://mattshedd.com.&nbsp;</p>