Sacred Selfishness: A Guide to Living a Life of Substance [Hardcover]

Bud Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2003

In this book, the author, a Jungian therapist, defines two kinds of selfishness. Sickly selfishness is based on egotism, and sacred selfishness is valuing ourselves enough to develop into authentic human beings.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As children, most people learn that selfishness is not an enviable quality. But, says Jungian analyst Bud Harris, there is one kind of selfishness that can actually help people value themselves and their lives "enough to pursue the decision to become people of substance"; he calls it "sacred selfishness." In Sacred Selfishness: A Guide to Living a Life of Substance, Harris lays out specific steps readers can take in order to live a life of "self-realization, meaning, value, and love." His overall purpose is to show how learning more about one's self can bring an experience of love and wholeness, and those seeking a deeper sense of self will heed his message. Agent, Barbara Braun.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"[C]larifies self actualization and authenticity, developing ourselves sufficiently to bring into our lives meaning, love, commitments, and increasing consciousness." -- New Perspectives: A Journal of Conscious Living, Winter 2004

[A] meaty alternative to the sugar-coated "you-can-have-it-all" paperbacks, with a book that, while easy to read, is packed with substance. -- Charlotte Observer, June 2003

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 325 pages
• Publisher: Inner Ocean Publishing; 1st edition (June 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930722125
• ISBN-13: 978-1930722125
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,501,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bud Harris defines himself as a husband, a father, grandfather, psychologist and Jungian analyst. Early in his life he earned a bachelor's degree in management from Georgia Tech in Atlanta Georgia. After Tech, Bud became a businessman and then owned his own business which he operated successfully. However, in spite of his achievements, he found his life in the cul-de-sac that he explains in his book Sacred Selfishness.

Following a period of dissatisfaction and searching, he returned to school to change careers and eventually earned his Ph.D. in psychology.

After becoming a psychotherapist and psychologist, he experienced the call to further his growth by becoming a Jungian analyst. Bud moved to Zürich, Switzerland where he trained for over five years until he became a diplomate Jungian analyst. Bud explains that "In many ways my educational odyssey has been a reflection of the transformational pattern of my life." Bud notes that writing Sacred Selfishness (his fourth book) was a labor of love. He says, "Jungian work becomes the path of a authentic life, a life that is fulfilling, passionate and full of love. And this journey is fueled by self-knowledge and awareness. This is the path that healed and
transformed my life."

"I also wanted to write the book I wish someone had written when I was struggling in my early thirties or at midlife. By this I mean a book for everyone that isn't loaded with professional jargon. While I love the books by Jung and other depth psychologists, I found them difficult until I became schooled in the field."

Bud and his wife met while they were both training to be analysts in Zürich and they have co-authored two books. Massimilla was born and grew up in Verona Italy. Originally, she went to business school herself. In her late twenties she returned to the University of Padova where she earned her Ph.D. in psychology and became a practicing psychologist. Like Bud, she reports that the call of her destiny took her to Zürich to pursue her growth.

The book that Massimilla and Bud co-authored, Like Gold Through Fire, originated as her thesis at the Jung Institute in Switzerland. Massimilla reports that the theme of this book, the transforming power of suffering, was revealed to her in a series of dreams that were so powerful that she initially wondered if she was going to die. But after carefully working with the dreams she realized that they were leading her into a course of study and a deeper understanding of the nature of suffering and its place in human life and growth.

Bud and Massimilla both live and practice in Asheville, North Carolina. They have lectured widely and continue to write.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover the real you, live and love more fully, June 5, 2004

By 

M. L Lamendola (Merriam, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Selfishness: A Guide to Living a Life of Substance (Hardcover)

Our whole lives, we are taught to play by the rules that others make. We are also bombarded with messages designed to make us want to buy things or join organizations. Many of our activities--including work and play--are at odds with who we really are. We make the wrong educational choices, career choices, and leisure choices. And we may feel frustrated, restless, unfulfilled, or even despondent due to this.

So, what's the answer? Harris believes the answer lies in valuing ourselves as individual human beings and finding out who we really are. In "Sacred Selfishness," Harris draws lessons from the classic quest stories--such as those involving the Greek and Roman gods, Biblical heroes, and other icons of our culture. He demonstrates how to question the very assumptions that we have taken for granted--assumptions that have formed a sort of glass cage from which many of us never escape. This questioning, and the journey it takes us on, leads to discoveries of our own potential.

Self-knowledge provides a basis for strength in ourselves and an understanding of others--thus we enjoy life more and love more fully.

In addition to being philosophical, the book is practical. Harris demonstrates the techniques of journaling and dialoguing, plus presents some other tools for those seeking self-knowledge. Harris provides case histories, and gives insight into the kinds of issues a person should consider delving into.

Be warned, though. This book contains no simple recipe, cute formulas, or six step process for transforming yourself into a superhuman. It does provide a solid foundation for the thinking person who wants to develop more fully and realize her or her own potential. With a bit of work and this book as a guide, you can expect a rewarding journey of self-discovery.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, August 21, 2004

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sacred Selfishness: A Guide to Living a Life of Substance (Hardcover)

I wondered what I would find within the pages of this work. Would it be words of advice that I could truly use, or just another book to place on my shelf. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised in my reading and what I found.
The author gently leads you into stories of many people's life experiences, their heart felt emotions, their deep seated fears, hopes, dreams and breaks down the why's of their failures and even their success. Interesting.

My favorite chapters were those on dreams and keeping a journal.
I always knew that dreams, if not ignored could help us on our journey in life, and this work added new dimension to that idea. I loved it and found it very helpful.
As far as the chapter on keeping a journal, this was something I had been doing for quite sometime, but gradually stopped as I felt it was not helping me. How wrong I was. In this chapter I learned how important and helpful it can be to keep track of your life and all that revolves around you. In a way, it certainly helps to keep things in the proper perspective, and the author explains so many ways that doing this can be beneficial to you.
There is so much helpful information in this book that it would be impossible for me to detail here in this short review. However, this is one book you certainly will keep handy to read time and time again. It is full of helpful thoughts, insights and information that will be a great aid for you in your journey through life.
The final thought that was left with me is this. The blame or the pat on our back for our failures or our success does not go to circumstances, location, upbringing, or any of the things we so quickly point our finger at. It lies within ourselves. Want to change your life? Read this work, and get started down the road to victory.
Shirley Johnson
MidWest Book Review
Denise's Pieces

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true gem of a book - not to be missed, October 10, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sacred Selfishness: A Guide to Living a Life of Substance (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books of the self-help genre that I have read in a long time. Living a balanced fulfilled life with a loving and peaceful attitude is possible, but sacred selfishness is required. Everyone needs time to look at their self and examine their life, passions, plans, etc. Sacred selfishness is not selfishness with a negative connotation. It is taking the time to retreat for yourself, taking the time to reclaim balance in your life.

The book is divided into three parts - Breaking the Mold and Seeking a Path, Cultivating Inner Substance, and Cultivating a Life of Substance. The chapter titles also give a good idea of the direction the book takes. Some titles include The Call to Transformation, Preparing for Change, Journaling as Inner Exploration, Beginning the Search for Personal Substance, Befriending Our Dreams, Learning to Love Ourselves, and Relationships of Substance.

This is a book of such substance that I found myself reading a section, stopping to think about it, and then reading another section. For a person who reads a typical book in about an hour it is rare that I find one of such substance that it takes me almost a week to read it carefully so I can be sure to extract all the value out of it I can. Sacred Selfishness is very highly recommended to anyone seeking balance and fulfillment in their life.