It has taken me seven years to understand threads of my contribution within both Jungian psychology and mysticism. Though a red thread has woven through both my inner and outer work, it was only after leading (and closing) the 7th and final cycle of Reclaiming the Mythical Feminine at the Anima Mundi School that I began to see it with clarity.

A teaching dream a few years ago summarized this realization: “A woman matures when she is not focused on her own individuation journey anymore.” At first glance, it’s a simple statement, yet it holds a profound paradox for those familiar with Jung’s work. Jung describes individuation as a descent into the night sea, seeking, finding and finally living the treasure of the Self. My dream, however, suggests that a woman’s maturity lies not in seeking individuation but in letting it go. The treasure is no longer the focus—so what is?

The Feminine is defined by Eros, by relationship, by connection. Her essence is like the mycelial network, a subtle but vital web of life. What does it mean for her to ripen (meaning of maturus), rather than individuate? This question has shaped the heart of my work, leading me to explore its implications through Jungian psychoanalysis, mythopoetic work, alchemy, and Sufism. A recurring question, which first appeared in my dreams, continues to guide my path:

“Is there another way?”

Is there another way to walk the individuation path that transcends the classical hero’s journey of heroic singularity and instead unearths the mysteries of interbeing and interexistence? Is there another way to practice mysticism—particularly Sufism—that speaks to the needs of our time? And, most importantly, is there another way to live, create, and connect in harmony with the Feminine, in constant relationship with all the ecologies that surround us?

“In difficult times, organisms find new symbiotic relationships in order to expand their reach. Crisis is the crucible of new relationships.”

– Merlin Sheldrake in Entangled Life