Ep. 221: Dr. James Hollis — Midlife 1. Discovering What the Gods Are Asking of You in Midlife

My guest this week is Dr. James Hollis, a therapist and author of many books, including Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up (affiliate link).

Topics we discussed included:

• Common struggles one tends to experience in midlife
• The part of our psyche (soul) that knows us better than we know ourselves
• The agenda of the first and second halves of an average-length life
• Why certain issues tend to arise at midlife and not sooner
• The Buddha’s experiences before and after enlightenment
• Missing out on the opportunity to find a different solution to unaddressed problems
• Asking metaphorically what the gods intend through us
• Living in harmony with our inevitable mortality
• The Self working to overthrow the ego
• Asking what the symptoms we’re having are pointing to or asking of us
• Depression as a reorienting of energies when we’re at odds with ourselves
• Why popular culture ideas about intimate relationships tend to lead to unhappiness
• The contrasting realities of “being in love with” and loving another person
• What it means to leave one’s family of origin for the second time
• The projection that is part of the origin of any relationship
• The growth that often comes through challenges and pain
• The cost to ourselves and our loved ones of denying our calling
• Aligning vocation with one’s work life
• How to successfully navigate the challenges of midlife

James Hollis, PhD, is a Jungian analyst based in Washington, DC.

He is the author of many books, including his latest, A Life of Meaning (affiliate link).

Find Jim online at his website.