This second disk begins with a case study of a man to whom Dr Kalsched has given the name The Dolphin Boy. It’s a fascinating story. Symbolically the dolphin is associated with the renewal of life.

Among other events he speaks of the traumas associated with the destruction of the World Trade Centre. It was found that those who suffered the most were people who had experienced unremembered early childhood traumas. These implicit memories are not easy to access: they may be revealed in a dream or a flashback, or in movement, art, dance, theatre, sand tray or through the body… He recommends a recently published (2015) book: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

We are then shown images relating to mythological stories involving other aspects of the rebirth experience. Among these are: the birth of Jesus, of Buddha, of Dionysus and earlier myths. The image of Jesus that he shows emphasizes the light (understanding) that can come with the birth of the Divine Child. Unfortunately such a birth can be a threat to the old order (the prevailing authorities) and this can culminate in the horrific “slaughter of the innocents” —part of the defense system.

As in the previous DVD, the explanations given by Dr Kalsched are told with a clarity devoid of jargon… and where appropriate – a sense of humour.

The final 20 minutes of this DVD is an interview in which he gives us some understanding of his personal life and interests, and the prolonged training which led to an unfolding interest in childhood trauma and the new understanding he brings to it. Among other things he sees his method as bridging the gap of the two “languages” Psychoanalytic and Jungian.

NOTE This DVD is self-contained so if for any reason you cannot get to seeing part 1, don’t let that stop you from coming to see part 2.

Donald Kalsched is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a training analyst with the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts. He is the author of numerous articles in analytical psychology, and lectures widely on the subject of early trauma and its treatment.