James Hollis Books

Over the years James Hollis has offered us many a feast, and we have grown to appreciate the nourishment of their unique mixtures of bitter and sweet. Here he shares our boat, navigating the questions without charts that haunt us all. This is not a book of revealed truths. Rather it surrenders to the questions, guided only by whatever insight, endurance and energy each of us may have. He acknowledges the uniqueness and value of each individual life journey, sharing his personal experience only so that we can find our own understanding.

James Hollis examines society's fixed views and fantasies in regards to relationships. This text is not a practical guide on how to fix a relationship, but rather a challenge to greater personal responsibility, a call for individual growth as opposed to seeking rescue through others.

"Illustrates how myths reflect the archetypal roots of our personal psychology, and explains how ancient drives influence and often dominate our behavior"--Publisher's description

Why do so many go through so much disruption in their middle years? Why then? Why do we consider it to be a crisis? The Middle Passage presents us with an opportunity to reexamine our lives and to ask: "Who am I apart from my history and the roles I have played?" It is an occasion for redefining and reorienting the personality, a necessary rite of passage between the extended adolescence of the first adulthood and our inevitable appointment with old age and mortality.The Middle Passage addresses the following issues: How did we acquire our original sense of self? What are the changes that herald the Middle Passage? How does one revision the sense of self? What is the relationship between Jung's concept of individuation and our commitment to others? What attitudes and behavior support individuation and help us move from misery to meaning?This book shows how we may travel the Middle Passage consciously, thereby rendering our lives more meaningful and the second half of life immeasurably richer.--back cover

Ask yourself, 'When do I feel most real?' What comes up on the screen? All of us have had moments in our lives when we felt whole or wholly present, or experienced a sense of well-being, an intuition of a higher order of reality. Such moments are transitory, alas, and cannot be summoned up by will or mind or right conduct, just as the person who seeks humility finds more and more that pride and one-sidedness push the goal further and further away. - excerpt from Creating A Life

Arguing that the pursuit of happiness is futile, the Jungian perspective asserts that the goal of life is not in happiness, but in meaning which is real, rather than a fruitless ideal. This book shows how to find life's dignity by uncovering its deepest meaning and discovering errors made.

Exploring the profound questions of existence, this work delves into the influence of unseen forces such as spirits, ancestral legacies, and inner voices on our lives. James Hollis examines the psychological impact of these "hauntings," highlighting how our past shapes our present and the importance of engaging with life's mysteries. Through this engagement, he suggests, we can cultivate a more thoughtful and meaningful existence. Hollis, a prominent figure in Jungian psychology, draws on his extensive background to guide readers in understanding these complex dynamics.

In a world where these things are often defined in terms of black and white, respected Jungian analyst James Hollis delivers a fresh look at the concept of happiness and shares his approach to finding a fearless, authentic path.

Exploring the profound questions of existence, this book delves into the challenges and responsibilities that life presents. It invites readers to reflect on their own responses to life's demands, encouraging a deeper understanding of personal purpose and meaning. Through thought-provoking insights, it examines the intersection of individual choices and broader life experiences, prompting a journey of self-discovery and introspection.

Prisms summarizes a lifetime of observing, engaging, and exploring why we are here, in service to what, and what life asks of us.