Program Description from Jung Cleveland

Please join us as we welcome Barnaby Willett as our guide through the theory and practice of ally work. Barnaby was mentored in the practice of ally work by its creator Jeffrey Raff. Jeffrey Raff, a Jungian Analyst and student of Marie-Louise von Franz, authored Jung and the Alchemical Imagination. In this program, Barnaby will share his journey in stumbling upon ally work and the profound shift within him from the practice. Barnaby will share Raff's methodology with us. Drawing from Barnaby’s cross-cultural research, including in-depth study of Ibn 'Arabi, we'll examine how to develop ally work individually and in community.

What is ally work?

Ally work is an embodied contemplative practice facilitated by the heart – which Henry Corbin called "the organ of active imagination.” The practice of ally work teaches us to connect with our ally – described as our inner guide and teacher – and cultivate a dialogic relationship in support of individuation.

Accessible and Profound

To apply this concrete approach, a person poses a question to their ally by writing it on paper and allows a response to emerge through pen and paper. Often people work with a dream image or use active imagination. Over time, a living relationship - that offers guidance, challenge, and transformation - will develop.

A 60-minute talk will be followed by a short contemplative practice and a Q&A period. We will connect with Barnaby via Zoom and are inviting Jung Cleveland members to gather in-person at the Parma Library - Powers Avenue location to practice together.