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Through the Dark Wood

Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life

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Through the Dark Wood

By: James Hollis PhD
Narrated by: James Hollis PhD
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About this listen

Have you ever looked at your career, your relationships, or your role in life and wondered, “Is this why I’m really here?” If so, then you are ready for your “midlife crisis”—the pivotal time when you have the opportunity to become the person your soul seeks to be.
“When the illusions of our youth begin to crumble,” explains James Hollis, “we reach a turning point that the poet Dante called the ‘dark wood.’” With Through the Dark Wood, this author and Jungian analyst reveals the steps we all must take on our road to true maturity, meaning, and fulfillment.
When the Second Half of Life Begins
How do you know when you’ve reached the “second half ”of life? According to Hollis, the first sign comes when you feel dissatisfied by where you are today—and hear a call from within to live a more purposeful life. This marks the collision between your “False Self,” created from the expectations of others, and your instinctive “True Self.”
Drawing upon his experiences with hundreds of clients, Hollis provides an essential map for traversing the universal challenges of midlife, such as building genuine relationships, cultivating a mature spirituality, and letting go of old beliefs that no longer serve you.
An Invaluable Guide through the Challenges of Midlife
“The second half of life isn’t about looking for easy answers,” James Hollis says. “It’s about honestly exploring the questions that bring richness and value to your life.” With Through the Dark Wood, this penetrating thinker shares a lifetime of insights about how to navigate your life’s most turbulent passages—and emerge from the darkness wiser, stronger, and in greater harmony with your soul’s purpose.

Aging & Longevity Aging Parents Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
All stars
Most relevant
superbly helpful. reading is fast so use the slow down control. listen again and again

how to think about the second half of life

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As a scientist practitioner in the field of coaching psychology I’ve read and listened to my fair share of books on psychology in general, and depth-psychology/analytical psychology in particular.

I am quite surprised that I’ve only recently discovered James Hollis. By accident that is, because I was actually looking for the book “living an examined live” by Grosz.

James has the rare ability to speak on profound subject in engaging and understandable ways. I also find him a great translator of Jung in general.

I am grateful to have listened to this and have already recommended this book to some of my clients.

Highly recommended.

A rare gem

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Very profound, and more importantly (especially for me) incredibly accessible. It seems that the author really wants the listener to understand.

Excellent, clear widom

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Most beneficial contribution I’ve found pertaining to the mind and understanding of the human condition. I’ve listen to all the audiobooks by Dr Hollis, literally dozens of times each. His work has been invaluable in understanding Jungian thought and expertly delivered by someone with clearly decades of experience in professional practice. I frequently quote Hollis, which often give profound yet succinct insights in to the challenges we all face. I recommend his work to my closest friends. This is for those who seek understanding on an intellectual level.

Fortune to have found James Hollis.

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James Hollis has now become one of my major life gurus. Read this book 3 times and 3 of his other books. I cannot recommend this book enough. It's like being given the key to my mind, how and why we think.

Life changer!

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