An understanding of the symbolism of the child in dreams can help us make contact with our own inner child-- both the child we once were and the spontaneous, childlike side of our nature. Using examples of dreamwork from her analytical practice as well as themes from art, children's literature, and folklore, Dr. Asper shows how the motif of the child may point to: Important information about forgotten experiences of the past New and future possibilities in our lives, especially during depression or transitional periods such as midlife Our capacity for play, creativity, and joy A renewal of spiritual life and the rediscovery of a lost childlike faith A way to hear the psychological wounds of childhood and embrace the future more freely and innocently
I didn't expect so much from this book. Asper is a Jungian analyst, and her style is quite traditional, and may even strike us as old fashioned. There are some quirks in her writing which might really turn some people off, although they didn't bother me in this case. She sees the feminine as the opposite of the patriarchal, and also attributes these qualities a little more easily to the biological genders than is approved of nowadays. Also, when she talks about religion and mythology (as Jungians are apt to do) she spends about two thirds of the time discussing Christianity, which some of us infidels might find tiresome.But her approach is intuitive, intelligent, and despite her biases, inclusive. While her writing moves a bit slowly, the cases that she discusses are moving and interesting, and her topics are surprisingly profound and thought provoking. So much literature on dreams and Jungianism today is insubstantial, and this book is an exception. Although this book is not a masterpiece, I still highly recommend it for those interested in the subject.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.