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: #34,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 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!

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a useful tool for self imptovement and insight. September 23, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Dr. Pearson wrote this book with the lay person in mind. I never really understood what psychological archetypes were until I read this book. It is a well written "key" which will likely enhance your understanding of Dr. Carl Jung's work. When used with other great books like THE MODERN ALCHEMIST and EGO AND ACHETYPE, the average lay person can supercharge his/her personal understanding of life patterns and challenges, resulting in accelerated inner growth.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "You got your Campbell in my Jung...You got your Jung in my Campbell...Tastes great! April 26, 2011

By zee black rider

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Combine 2 parts Joseph Campbell, 1 part C. G. Jung, 1 part impressive insight and a dash of third wave feminism and what do you get? A fairly worthwhile book, as I found. As a life student of archetype and mythic structure, I'm surprised and a bit dismayed at how few authors have tackled the similarities between Campbell's heroic cycle and Jungian archetypal theory. So, when I came across this book, I ordered it straightaway. What I found was a remarkably accessible, quick and well organized synthesis of much of the dense erudition of some of the Jung Bollinger content with the plaited, far-flung meanderings of dear uncle Joe Campbell's mind. Pearson manages to integrate these two similar themes into a fascinating and fairly workable structure for self assessment and self discovery.

As one reviewer mentioned, it's a fairly easy, surface level read--oriented towards the average reader. She does like to use the word "dialectic" a lot; but it was the 90's I guess, so I can forgive that. That's about as tough as it gets. You could whip through the book in a day as I did--you don't need a copy of Golden Bough, some Freud, Eliade, a summary of the Vedas and a collegiate dictionary close at hand. As you read, you'll want to pause, go back and reflect on each archetype and how it relates to you personally, how they progress and interrelate and develop over time.

However, she seems to struggle personally with the subject of gender, and this becomes increasingly evident as she explores anima/animus related concepts and gender differences in the formative psyche. Atop a convincing foundation of archetypal universality, she intermittently begins construction on a rickety tower of fairly specific, unnecessary attributions for male and (vs?) female, which made me wince a bit.... Towards the last third of the book, I found myself skimming the odd paragraph as it seemed to crop up more frequently towards the end, which is a shame. Jung himself (admittedly male and the product of his era) didn't get all the kinks worked out very well either where gender is concerned, but I think inserting 80's and 90's modern feminist psychological theory takes the pendulum a bit too far in the opposite direction. While an important subject for a different book, it really didn't have a place in this one for me. What made Campbell meaningful was that his focus was on our commonality despite differences, not the sort of pigeonhole seperatism that keeps us different and distinctly apart.

That was a minor reservation for me, but worth mentioning. I hesitate to recommend it to close friends and family, who are used to strange books being delivered to them by Amazon from me every few months--the preliminary disclosure takes out the fun of the giving. But if you managed to read this, I can tell you that Pearson's book is worth every penny. It was engaging, challenging, and enlightening. I'd buy it again, I'll certainly read it again.

I had more than a few 'Wow' type realizations as I was reading along. In the reading I grew a little bit. I'll wager that if you read it, you'll know your fellow human a little bit better because of it. What better reason to get a book? Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Explore the mythological archetypes within November 19, 2009

By Steve Burns TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This book adds to the work of Joseph Campbell by expanding the Mythic Heroes Quest, and giving you more tools to explore your true self. This book guides you in exploring the archetypes that live within each of us. It outlines the twelve different archetypes and explains both their strengths and shadow side. The importance of proper balanced mental and emotional growth is crucial in bringing out the best when awakening these archetypes. These hero types allow each of us to take our individual heroic journey in whatever life endeavor we choose.

The Preparation for the journey. Proper Ego formation allows us to learn to fit into the world.

The Innocent- This is the ability to have trust, optimism, and belief in things as they are. The shadow side is accomplishing this through denial.

Orphan- This reminds us of our vulnerability and interdependence. The shadow side is to become a victim or cynic.

Caregiver- Taking care of others with genuine compassion even when it requires sacrifice. The shadow side is when care is given for manipulative reasons.

Warrior- They are courageous and disciplined, imposing high standards on themselves and others. They assert themselves appropriately to make the world a better place. The shadow side is the bully who runs rough shod over others.

On the journey. Being in touch with our Soul produces wholeness and integrity. (Psyche)

Seeker-Explores internal and external realities and is willing to give up security, community, and intimacy for autonomy. At worst the shadow side makes them an outsider.

Destroyer- This archetype losses lead to a greater receptivity to new ideas, empathy and compassion for others, and a deeper knowledge of their own identity and strength.... At worst, it simply decimates a personality, and we see before us simply a ruin of what was.

Creator- When it is active that person is in the process of discovering or creating a more adequate sense of self. At worst, it is simply and experiment, and the person retreats or goes back to the drawing board to start over.

Lover- This enables you to find out who you are by discovering who and what you love. The shadow side of the Lover is jealousy, envy, obsessive fixation on a love object or relationship. Also promiscuity, obsession with sex or pornography, or conversely puritanism.

The return from the journey. The formation of the Self, your genuine identity.

Ruler- The archetype allows us to understand that we are responsible for our inner and outer lives:the buck stops here. The shadow side of the ruler is a despot.

Magician- This archetype allows us to create new realities, transform old ones, serve as catalysts for change, and "name" and thereby create reality. The shadow side calls negativity to oneself, or turns positives into negative occurrences.

Fool- The Fool finds freedom through unconventionality and has a cpacity to enjoy every moment. The Fool lightens us up, finds clever, innovative, and fun ways around obstacles-intellectual or physical. At worst the shadow side leads to irresponsibility.

Sage- Sages find freedom through understanding the big picture and a capacity for detachment. It combines detachment with love, wisdom, and joy in life. The shadow side leads to having little interest in the ordinary, mundane, pleasures of life.

This book was a powerful life changer for me, opening up my mind to seeing how I can use different psychological types within myself to live a much fuller life. Integrating these archetypes will lead to a much more blissful and fulfilling life. I believe you will really enjoy this book and find it very enlightening. Read more ›