How do we learn the wisdom that is said to come with age in so many cultural traditions? One answer to this question was offered by C.G. Jung, whose therapeutic approach to dreams is particularly important for the second half of life. Jung saw dreams as a kind of training in the wisdom of eldership, and as a preparation for what lies beyond this life. His own exploration of the dreamworld, detailed in the intriguing Red Book, includes several elder figures who present themselves as both guides and wisdom keepers.
On Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at 2000 UTC, Dr. McCullough will look at some of Jung’s dreams and visions, explore the archetype of eldership, and provide some brief case examples of therapeutic uses of dreams in later life. Participants are encouraged to bring dreams of their own that may contain elders or wisdom figures, or which may point to important inner work in the later stages of life.
Dr. McCullough is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Spiritual Care at Emmanuel College and Knox College in the University of Toronto. He is an ordained Minister and a practicing therapist. His research interests include the spiritual, philosophical, and historical roots of various psychotherapeutic modalities; sleep, dreams, and dream interpretation in various cultural and religious contexts; biblical, theological, and interfaith traditions of Sophia; Christian and comparative mysticism; and theory and method in theology and religious studies.
