HAFEZ:

Hafez is the most revered poet in Iran, a country renowned for its rich poetic heritage, including luminaries like Rumi, Ferdosi, Khayyam, and Nizami. His works transcend traditional literature, serving as a divination tool in Iranian culture akin to the Tarot and I Ching. Consulting Hafez's poetry, especially during significant times such as the New Year or critical life junctures, exemplifies a deep cultural fusion of poetry and psychology in Iran.

Hafez's poetry encapsulates the essence of synchronicity, a core concept in Depth Psychology. This principle highlights a profound connection between the reader's psyche and the universal truths expressed in his verses. The synchronistic experiences that arise from engaging with his poetry stem from the depth and universality of the symbols Hafez employs.

In the richly symbolic realm of his poetry, Hafez allows readers to project their unconscious onto his verses, providing a reflection of themselves more accurately than any mirror. This interaction facilitates deep insights and stimulates introspection, aligning perfectly with the process of individuation.

Depth Psychology offers an excellent framework to experience and interpret the rich symbolism in Hafez's poetry, illuminating how these symbols resonate with and reveal the reader's inner world.

In this seminar, we will delve into Hafez's life and his pivotal role in Iranian culture. We will explore the intricate link between his poetic universe and the depth psychological aspects of his verses, uncovering the profound ways his poetry resonates with and reveals the human psyche.

Thursday
October 10, 2024

4-6pm Pacific / 7-9pm Eastern

+ Video recording will be made available to registered attendees

Hafez (c. 1315-1390) was a celebrated Persian Sufi poet, best known for his lyrical Ghazals expressing themes of love, spirituality, and critique of religious orthodoxy. His influence is profound in Persian literature and culture.

arash golnam, ph. D., Iaap

Arash Golnam, Ph.D., IAAP is a psychoanalyst trained at CG Jung Institute, Zurich.

A citizen of Iran and Switzerland, I now call Lima, Peru, my home. My journey seamlessly intertwines Persian poetry, Jungian psychoanalysis, and plant medicine; a matrix of cultures, traditions, and paradigms spanning continents and centuries.

This global perspective has enriched and deepened my understanding of the human psyche.

Thanks to my father, a dedicated Persian literature teacher, I was immersed in Persian poetry and mythology from a young age. This rich heritage of mystic poetry and mythology opened my first door to the soul, guiding me on a path that would eventually lead me to embrace the teachings of Carl Jung.

I am currently immersed in the study of Persian mystic poetry, delving into the psychological, symbolic, and archetypal layers of Hafez's poetry. I presented my preliminary findings in a thesis at the CG Jung Institute and am now in the process of adapting and expanding it for publication as a book.

Before discovering my passion in psychoanalysis, I took on diverse roles: university lecturer, scientist, consultant, and engineer. My academic journey led me to the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich after earning a Ph.D. in Systems Science from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and a Master of Science in System Dynamics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

www.arash.ch