The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche [Paperback]

Robert Moore (Author), Douglas Gillette (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2007

In this pioneering contribution to masculine psychology, Robert L. Moore, a Jungian psychoanalyst, and Douglas Gillette, a mythologist, examine the inner King-one of the four archetypes of the male psyche. Asleep-as far as Ego-awareness is concerned-for untold generations, the King at the center of every man's soul is now returning to consciousness. His return is heralded by many men's growing sense of empowered masculine authenticity and by their enlarged capacity to empower others: other men, their friends and co-workers, the women in their lives, and their children. The inner King integrates power and nurturing, firmness and caring, courage and creativity, self-affirmation and self-sacrifice. From his central position between the world of imagination and the world of action, the King within challenges every man to take up his own scepter, to dream dreams, and to make them come true. This new revised and expanded Text Edition of The King Within recounts, as did the first edition, the many gifts the King can bestow on men. It also offers expanded discussion of techniques for accessing and regulating the King's powerful energies. Most importantly, it presents, for the first time, a 47-page description of the 16 configurations in which the four archetypes appear in men's personalities. This additional section includes newly created graphics that illustrate Robert Moore's ground-breaking "Structural Psychoanalysis," a new and vital integration of psychoanalytic and spiritual theories that will help men achieve a full and authentic maturity-so as to steward a new and better world into being.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Only men's movement enthusiasts are apt to follow the authors' Jungian prescriptions to access the inner energy symbolized by the archetype of the liberating, life-giving king.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Calling itself ``an operator's manual to the psyche'' of men (and a guide to their ``hard-wiring'' for women), this is also a firm if rather theoretical response to critics who charge that men's movement gatherings and exhortations are silly, reactive, and shallow. Moore (Psychology and Religion/Chicago Theological Seminary) and Gillette (a pastoral counselor) write about ``the king within''--a psychological potential that each man apparently carries--with authority and total conviction, discussing the four Jungian archetypes (``King,'' ``Warrior,'' ``Magician,'' ``Lover''), recalling their many representations in ancient and modern cultures, and examining associated patterns of energy that empower men. Readers expecting descriptions of sweat lodges and exotic rites of passage won't find them here. The authors focus on myth and ritual as psychological skills in the quest for the king within, a mature man who strives to achieve creativity and make a positive difference in the world. Although Moore and Gillette acknowledge a variety of failed specimens, from weaklings like-- they say--King Arthur and Jimmy Carter to ``Shadow Kings'' like Caligula and wayward CEOs, they concentrate on identifying positive qualities (caring, courage), on learning how to tap into them, and on empowering others to do the same. To the authors, the urge for power is no shame as long as it's channeled justly. Regrettably, Moore and Gillette rarely refer to contemporary situations and rely on alienating jargon: ``Since the fully manifested King experiences a passionate union with the Anima...Queen, a man can experience the deep Self approaching the Jungian exemplum, but his Self is likely to be asymmetrically masculine.'' For a more accessible, reality-oriented view of similar territory, try Samuel Osherson's Wrestling with Love, reviewed below. (But those attuned to the authors' approach should note that a follow-up title, The Warrior Within, is due out in August.) (Eight pages of color photos; 50 b&w photos--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Theological Seminary dba Exploration Press (March 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913552666
• ISBN-13: 978-0913552667
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Royal Treatment, October 1, 2004

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche (Hardcover)

Robert Moore and Doug Gillette published 5 books (that I know of) on their theory of 4 male archetypes. The first is an overview entitled: "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover." They followed up this fine introductory work with a book on each of the 4 archetypes. This one is, of course, on the King Archetype. Each of the 4 books has a completely redundant section (worth reading once, anyway), but also has much material on the particular, titled, archetype. The names of the archetypes are defined a bit differently than society might define them--moving the descriptions into the worlds of psychology and mythology which the two authors are well-versed in. If you read one, you "should" (I dislike that word, but what can you do?) read all of them. Otherwise, you get a skewed view of the archetypes, the authors' works, and the theory they propose. I like "The King Within" very much. It provides not only description of the archetype but some ramifications and ideas as to how to implement or invoke it. I found the book uplifting and see the glass as half full. The authors provided the rationale and some means of implementation of the Mens' Movement. Not only are these books valuable to men, but they are, perhaps, even more valuable to women who wish to interact and support men. They are a wonderful addition to the literature and to humans understanding themselves and each other.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Understanding archetypes, September 9, 2007

By 

in the father's steps "a sacred elder" (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche (Paperback)

Students of Dr. Moore have eagerly awaited this part of his continuing series that explores the mapping of the human personality. The complete series with even my partial understanding of theory has illuminated my reading of classical text, theology and brought an understanding of modern events. Dr. Moore's work is not for the casual psycho pop fan and critical to the serious student of personality and faith.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingship without Despotism, January 26, 2010

By 

Kevin Fuller "Kev" (Evansville, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The King Within: Accessing the King in the Male Psyche (Paperback)

Having set the stage with their book King Warrior Magician Lover, our two authors delve deeper into what they call the central facet of a healthy male psyche, the King.

Copious examples of King qualities ranging in leaders from the Far East to American shores are given in the middle of the book which are actually quite enlightening and though similar to one another, not redundant.

Some time is spent, thankfully, explaining Jungian Archetypal theory, and the role said theory plays in the authors' development of their central argument, that a man desires to access the Archetypal King without completely identifying with the role. Again, thankfully, the authors make it clear one should 'access' the King energy without completely identifying with the Archetype...which could land one in a psychiatric ward in short order.

In addition, chapters are devoted to the Shadow sides of the King, the high chair Tyrant and the effete Weakling. So our two writers do us justice by pointing out the complexities one faces when attempting to access this King energy.

So, the goal ultimately becomes not to be King (which after all, in the day and age we are living in, would only last one day) but rather to be a 'Generative Man' who, accessing King energy, empowers and inspires those around him and uses the destructive energy of the King to aid those who most need help.

It is said when one is ready, the Teacher(s) will arrive.

I was ready. Are you?