Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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!

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.

Carol Pearson, co-creator of the Pearson-Marr Archetypes Indicator, explores 12 archetypes "to help us find ourselves and transform our world." Transformation, in this case, seems to be an inner journey of revising our self-concept, deepening and enriching our ideas about others, and gaining new insights, rather than a program for material engagement with outer circumstances.

Purchaser can take the Heroic Myth Index (HMI; I am not sure how this differs from the PMAI, a proprietary instrument) to find out what archetypes are strongest in you. It is an interesting activity. The description of each archetypes tells about its spiritual journey. Self-growth exercises are proposed at the end of the chapter. As well, Pearson includes useful background information about achieving inner balance. The writing is sometimes a bit stodgy, and I prefer more examples. This is outweighed by Pearson's credentials as a professional whose research has contributed to our understanding and use of archetypes as tools for personal understanding and growth.

Two stars may actually be a bit harsh for this book, but in light of all the positive reviews, I believe another view--a "Shadow" review, if you will--is in order:

To cut to the chase, if you are a semi-serious Jungian, this book may turn out to be a marked disappointment. Frankly, the text delves more into the world of quick, entry-level ideas than into a serious exploration of the concept of archetypes. When twelve archetypes are promised, twelve archetypes are delivered: this is not a book about the infinite range of archetypes that may be encountered in the depths and breaths of the subconscious world, nor does it invoke that mystic numinosity that Jung describes in his autobiography. And, in all fairness, that can and may work on its own level. Sometimes the hungry person seeks a quick bite, and a fast-food combo meal hits the spot.

The reader is cautioned to expect some concepts that may not have a great deal to do with Jung: the one I personally found the most grating was the idea of a overseeing Soul that is different than the Spirit, and which seems to be out to make us suffer. This is an idea that can be found in other texts--usually of the "New Age" variety, for better or for worse. Personally, I have never been a fan of the whole concept of a "Soul" that effectively tortures folks for their own "development," nor do I believe that this is necessarily a truly Jungian ideal. The problem is this: the idea of this "Soul" shifts your focus outward and upward. In contrast, to read of Jung's own experiences is to read of richly plummeting into deep-down, inner worlds. The difference is a notable one.

Meanwhile, for those seeking a more dynamic experience of the archetypes, "Jung's Map of The Soul" and--of course and as always--Jung's autobiography "Memories, Dreams, Reflections" will prove to be of more service.

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?

Awakening the Heroes Within has been a fabulous and easily understood study guide for me. Maybe I was dense as a teen, but studying archetypes then didn't hit home. This book is easy to understand and see the interconnection of archetypes. It helped me see how my psychological development was either assisted or retarded by the appearance of common archetypes. This universal way of thinking might have helped me grow up faster and fuller, but at least to have been more accepting of those difficult stages.

I had no idea when I bought this book that it would become my favorite nonfiction book of the year. Carol Pearson's work is spot-on and extremely valuable to anyone interested in inner work. If you want to get down to the nitty- gritty of who you are and how to heal your wounded places, this is the book for you.

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.