Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World [Paperback]

Carol S. Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 19, 1991

AWAKENING THE HEROES WITHIN

"The heroic quest is about saying 'yes' to yourself and in doing so doing, becoming more fully alive and more effective in the world…The quest is replete with dangers and pitfalls, but it offers great rewards: the capacity to be successful in the world, knowledge of the mysteries of the human soul, and the opportunity to find and express your unique gifts in the world".

In this bold and original work, Carol S. Pearson shows that the heroic quest isn't just for certain people under special circumstances. Exploring the many heroic paths available to each of us, at every point in our lives, her innovative program enables us to live heroically by activating and applying twelve archetypes in our lives.

This companion to the best-selling 'The Hero Within' outlines twelve archetypal patterns that can aid inner development and the quest for wholeness.

'These archetypes are inner guides that can help us:'

• prepare for the journey, by learning how to become successful members of society
• embark upon the quest, by becoming initiated into the mysteries of the human soul; and
• return to transform our lives as a result of claiming our uniqueness and personal power

Writing for individuals seeking to realise their full potential and professionals engaged in empowering others, Pearson shows how journeys differ by the age, gender, and cultural background of the seeker, and how archetypes help awaken the capacities of our psyches. A unique diagnostic test, the Heroic Myth Index, and exercises are included to help us understand and awaken our inner guides.

CAROL S. PEARSON, Ph.D., is president of Meristem, a nonprofit organisation offering training and consultation in professional development and personal growth. She is the author of 'The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By' and co-author of 'The Female Hero in American and British Literature' and 'Educating the Majority: Women Challenge Tradition in Higher Education'

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol S. Pearson, Ph.D., is the Director of the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership and a Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Her publications include The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By Educating the Majority: Challenging Tradition in Higher Education, co-edited by Donna L. Shavlik and Judith G. Touchton); Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes that Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World; Magic At Work: Camelot, Creative Leadership and Everyday Miracles; The Hero and the Outlaw: Building Extraordinary Brands Through the Power of Archetypes, co-authored by Margaret Mark; Mapping the Organizational Psyche: A Jungian Theory of Organizational Dynamics and Change, co-authored by John Corlett; and What Story Are You Living? Co-authored by Hugh Marr. Her books are widely translated. She lives with her husband of 33 years close to her three married children and four grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; First Edition edition (July 19, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062506781
• ISBN-13: 978-0062506788
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

More About the Author

Carol S. Pearson, Ph.D., is President of Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. She is an internationally recognized scholar and well-known author of numerous books, among them the bestselling The Hero Within, Awakening the Heroes Within, the Hero and the Outlaw, and Magic at Work. Her newest book is The Transforming Leader, an edited collection of cutting edge essays on the challenges facing leaders in the 21st century that grew out of the Fetzer Institute's Leadership for Transformation Project, for which she was principal investigator. Dr. Pearson has been a senior administrator and professor at higher education institutions including the University of Colorado, the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, and Goucher College; a consultant for multinational corporations and government agencies; and a popular public speaker and workshop leader. Before going to Pacifica, she was executive director of the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership and a member of the executive committee of the International Leadership Association. Earlier in her career, she was President of CASA: the Center for Archetypal Studies and Applications; President of Meristem, a nonprofit educational organization; and senior editor of The Inner Edge: A Resource for Enlightened Business Practice. She currently lives in Santa Barbara with her husband of 37 years.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy-to-read yet rigorous entry point into self analysis January 23, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

As a software developer and mathematician presently in my early 60's, ever since I can remember I have always been long on technology and short on "people" knowledge Yet from my early adolescence I remember my dad telling me how important it is to know oneself. While I always agreed with this good advice, whenever I explored my soul, I seemed to fail to come up with meaningful, non-judgemental answers - possibly because my questions themselves were not thought provoking.

Enter Ms Peason and her "Heros Within" book. Her brilliant, accessible review of the 12 archetypes that define our personalities suddenly provided me with a new handle - a key to a better understanding of myself and others. What I particularly appreciated in her book was its combination of a rigurous, scientific treatment of the subject, couched in a language both accessible and devoid of academic circumlucutions. I would reccomend her book to anyone who wants to understand himself/herself better and/or redefine his/her professional and personal life.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful vehicle for self-discover. June 12, 1998

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

Dr. Pearson's book, Awakening the Heroes Within, provides an ideal vehicle for self-discovery and renewal. The book contains self-score instruments that will help readers discover previously untapped sources of personal power. The book seems particularly well suited for adults in their professional years who are looking for ways to clarify their place in the world. The theoretical foundation for the work is both well-grounded and intuitively appealing. Friends, family, and students, have thanked me for the recommendation of this scholarly work. Like me, they revisit the book whenever they are in the mood for a psyche checkup.

Daniel R. Lofald, PhD, Educational Psychologist

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Tool for Self-Definition November 29, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I'm a Creator and a Magician!--who wouldn't be happy to have learned that? I'm also a gardener, a teacher, an artist, an adopted grandmother, a community worker, and I have a lot of other roles in life. Because I read this book, I recognize my strengths and my inclinations better, and I know what to emphasize in my work and in my relationships. I'm glad I read this, and I'm giving copies to others who are unsure about their strengths and how to apply them. Thanks!