Entered Pacifica: 1998

Current Occupation:  Residential Family Therapist in a Recovery Center

Where You Live:  Santa Fe, New Mexico

What Brought You to Pacifica: In 1998, the Master’s Degree program in Counseling Psychology brought me to Pacifica and continuing with the Doctoral Degree program in Depth Psychology—a relationship that lasted almost 10 years.

How Has Your Pacifica Degree Served You Professionally in Your Occupation/Vocation?:  Both degrees have broadened vistas into the hearts of many around the world. Currently, family sessions with Northern New Mexicans have deepened my listening skills held in compassion and respect. Not every family session is conducted in English as each family member is encouraged to speak in their own language; the only requirement is that the dialogue embodies listening to one another and responding in kind.

How Has Your Degree Served You Personally?: Just before I began writing a dissertation, I visited China. For the first time I felt the hardy welcome within my Heart: Welcome, Beatrice, to a piece of your “home.” I wrote about T’ang Dynasty courtesan poetry. From the poetesses, I derived a sense of their challenges and inner strengths. Looking to them today, I am encouraged to continue no matter the obstacles to serve others,especially individuals who have similar experiences of neglect and abuse.

What Was The Meaningful Or Memorable Part Of The Pacifica Experience For You?: The meaningful part of the Pacifica experience for me is in learning to listen.

Dissertation Title: “You See My Heart!” The Sacred and the Erotic Images in the Selected Works of T’ang Dynasty Poetesses: Li Ye, Yu Xuanji, and Xue Tao

Areas of Interest: Reading, especially my new interest in poetry from around the world, always reading. Louise Erdrich wrote: Poetry is storytelling. I love stories. Children: how can “we” help our children? Walking in the Santa Fe hills—a meditative experience.  

Contact Information:  E-mail: cytherab@aol.com

Beatrice Ilumin,  Ph.D.