Freud’s 4pm Session: The Wisdom of Darkness

Organised by:

Freud Museum London

Description

Freud Museum London and Karnac Books take great pleasure to inform you of a special ‘In Conversation’ event to mark the publication of Richard Tyler’s new book As A Kite Falls – A Journey Through Descent.

Richard’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer in 2021. Having experienced life as a West-End performer, turned therapist, he was used to focusing on ascent – how to be better, faster and stronger. However, he was suddenly spiralled into darkness. This unexpected time offered him a place of quietening down in order that he listen to his soul’s whispers.

As a society, we have become fixated on ascent in our lives: achieving more, being quicker, and rising up. But what if we are missing the richest life lessons by repressing the difficulties we experience? Both ascent and descent are vital in life. Yet, whilst we are educated on how best to ascend and ‘grow up’, it is rare we are supported through our descent and the act of ‘growing down’. Instead, we are encouraged to hide those times from ourselves and others.

Many of us are currently on a journey of descent, whether it be personal; with health, relationships and fear, or collectively with the climate, financial and political crisis. It’s common in these times to feel helpless and that any change is out of our control as we grapple with the uncertainty. People are therefore often left to retreat within, feeling hopeless and lost.

With insight from Professor Brett Kahr, who has guided Richard since he was a teenager, they invite you to explore the darkness with them in this rich and valuable conversation.

“Until the culture recognises the legitimacy of growing down, each person in the culture struggles blindly to make sense of the darkness that the soul requires to deepen into life.” James Hillman

Book tickets