An invaluable key to self-understanding, The Wounded Woman shows that by understanding the father-daughter wound, it is possible to achieve a fruitful, caring relationship between men and women, between fathers and daughters, a relationship that honors both the mutuality and the uniqueness of the sexes.
In Witness to the Fire, Linda Schierse Leonard, Ph.D., explores the dark and fiery journey of transformation from the bondage of addiction to the freedom of recovery through creativity. A Jungian analyst, Leonard studies the relationship of creativity and addiction in the lives of writers such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Eugene O'Neill, Jean Rhys, and Jack London, as well as the experiences of ordinary men and women. Leonard holds out the hope that anyone bound by addiction can reclaim the power that fuels dependency for a life of joy and creativity.
The Madwoman is a powerful psychological and emotional energy that lives in us all—both men and women—and speaks to us all, inhabiting our dreams, our lives, our collective cultural memory. Ignored or suppressed, she becomes a force of self-destruction; acknowledged and understood, she becomes a source of creativity and power. In this remarkable and revolutionary book, Linda Schierse Leonard explores how we can overcome the inner turmoil of contemporary life—unexpressed rage, the buildup of guilt and anxiety—by harnessing this primal expression of our natural instincts. From Medea to Ophelia to Thelma and Louise, the paradox and patterns of “madness” are as old as time. But the chain can be broken; the Madwoman within each of us can and must be freed, openly expressed, and transformed into a source of constructive, creative energy. Leonard draws upon an extraordinary range of sources—ancient myths and fairy tales, films and literature, contemporary and historical women’s lives—to design a model of empowerment for women today. With its fresh perspectives and bold insights, Meeting the Madwoman is a provocative work of profound cultural significance, one whose ideas are sure to resonate for years to come. Praise for Meeting the Madwoman “A book loaded with practical insights that’s also fun to read . . . With refreshing originality, Leonard reverses some traditional perceptions.”—New Woman “A vigorous exploration . . . Throughout, Leonard writes passionately, seeing the Madwoman as an empowering symbol and the discovery process as a spiritual exercise—a kind of purification and ultimate triumph of the feminine spirit.”—Kirkus Reviews
The author delves into the profound desire for a meaningful union, emphasizing the sacred journey of love and self-discovery. By weaving together dreams, personal narratives, and cultural myths, she reveals the inner barriers to love and creativity faced by individuals. Through a blend of personal experiences and insights drawn from various forms of storytelling, the book offers a rich exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the quest for deeper connections.
Jungiánská terapeutka Linda Schierse Leonard píše s hlubokým porozuměním a praktickou moudrostí o touze po skutečné svatbě, takové, která spojí dvě bytosti v posvátném hledání smyslu života. U mnoha lidí se tato touha soustředí na hledání závazného vztahu se spřízněnou duší. U jiných se zaměřuje na vztah s jejich tvůrčí múzou, na jednotu s božským či na svatbu protikladných sil v rámci duše. Autorka zkoumá sny, osobní zážitky, mýty a pohádky i náměty z filmů a literatury a odkrývá vnitřní překážky lásky a tvořivosti u mužů i žen. Význam tradičních rituálů, jako je nasazení závoje, slib a výměna prstenů, je prezentován prostřednictvím rozjímavé poezie i života Rainera Marii Rilkeho. Linda Schierse Leonard ukazuje, že ať již hledáme vnitřní nebo vnější svatbu, k jejímu dosažení vždy vede cesta práce na transformaci osobnosti. Kniha Na cestě ke svatbě je o tom, jak žít opravdový život, který s láskou a úžasem vzdává čest tajemství celistvého bytí.