James Hollis, a Jungian analyst and prolific author, dives deep into the themes of life, love, and mortality. He explores how meaningful choices can illuminate our journey and discusses the importance of engaging with large, troubling questions. Hollis shares insights on the significance of dreams in healing and self-discovery, and he emphasizes the courage required to face life's uncertainties. By confronting personal trauma and pursuing inner wisdom, he encourages listeners to rewrite self-limiting narratives and embrace their unique paths.
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insights INSIGHT
Mortality and Meaning
Our mortality gives life meaning.
Without death's finality, life would become repetitive and lose its significance.
insights INSIGHT
Luminous Living
We should strive to make our short lives as meaningful as possible.
Asking big questions about our purpose helps us achieve a luminous existence.
insights INSIGHT
Death as a Crossing
The psyche, independent of conscious thought, seems to view death not as an end but as a transition.
Dreams of the dying often feature journeys or crossings, not endings.
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In this collection of essays, Dr. James Hollis explores life's challenges and celebrates the evolving questions of life's journey. The book emphasizes the importance of engaging in a deeper dialogue with one's soul, navigating through symptoms, dreams, and restless nights to gain insight into inner challenges. Hollis guides readers to reflect on questions about happiness, dreams, the divided soul of America, fear and fascination with death, and the conflict between good and evil. Using analytic psychology, he aims to help readers reconnect with deep wisdom, bringing renewed purpose and dignity to their lives. The book focuses on personal accountability, decisive growth, and the recovery of a spiritual life in a secular age[1][3][4].
Facing the Sun
Facing the Sun
Irvin Yalom
By what lights do you live your journey? What fires your imagination? What stirs your curiosity? What asks of you something that is so deep within you that perhaps it hurts, but you can't let go of it because it won't let go of you? These are some of the "large questions" explored by Tami Simon and her guest, Jungian teacher and author James Hollis. Hollis is one of those authors who's beloved by everyone who works at Sounds True—especially those of us who've entered the second half of life—and in this podcast, you'll discover why.
Listen now as Tami and Jim discuss his new book, Living with Borrowed Dust, sharing thought-provoking insights about: the evanescence of our human journey; making your life luminous; asking large questions, and how we lose contact with the inquiries that serve our individuation; fate versus destiny; the independence of the psyche; the ego's need for control; dreams as "health correctives" and an avenue to the numinous; showing up for your "appointment" in life; trusting the wisdom of nature; how psychoanalysis helps us rewrite the self-limiting narratives that hold us back; the worst damage of trauma: identifying who we are with what happened to us; why we can't solve certain problems, but we can outgrow them; courage and perseverance; paying close attention to your inner life; living in a culture of distraction; dialoguing with your soul; the paradox of passion; facing the abyss; taking advantage of the precious moments; learning to live with ambiguity; and more.
Note: This episode originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.
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