The Hero and His Shadow: Psychopolitical Aspects of Myth and Reality in Israel

The Hero and His Shadow uses the history of Israeli society to examine the psychological perspective of collective processes. Erel Shalit focuses on the actualization of the Zionist myth, which depended on a small group of individuals to transform the idea into matter by merging personal identity with collective idea. He finds that this process emanates from the close proximity of the life of the individual and the life of the collective in Israel. Shalit searches for the psychological relationships and motivations of the people of Israel as they evolved from a movement into a nation of people guided by similar ideals. Recognizing the use of the images of the pioneer-farmer, the guardsman, and the warrior, which became admired hero-ideals, he delves into the shadow side of the guiding myths of modern Israel. Here he found feelings of hubris, weakness, arrogance, and despair. Shalit exposes these aspects, normally repressed and left in the background, to fully explore the personal and collective ideas behind the Zionist myth.

History

Shalit, Erel

Middle East

University Press of America

The Hero and His Shadow introduces a psychological perspective on the history, development and present myths of Israeli society. Erel Shalit focuses on the actualization of the Zionist myth, which depended on a small group of individuals to transform the idea into matter by merging personal identity with collective idea. He finds that this process emanates from the close proximity of the life of the individual and the life of the collective in Israel. Shalit searches for the psychological relationships and motivations of the people of Israel as they evolved from a movement into a nation of people guided by similar ideals. Shalit also explores the psychological consequences of Israel's wars, from independence to the present war of terror, from a personal and a psychoanalytic perspective, with social examples and clinical vignettes. Recognizing the use of the images of the pioneer-farmer, the guardsman, and the warrior, which became admired hero-ideals, he delves into the shadow side of the guiding myths of modern Israel, such as Peace vs. Greater Israel. Here he found feelings of hubris, weakness, arrogance, and despair. The mythological background of the archetypal struggle between Isaac and Ishmael, and the relationship between Jerusalem and the archetypal images of Wholeness and Satan are examined. Shalit exposes those aspects of past and present myths, which normally are repressed and left in the background.

The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Era

Well-known Jungian analyst, author and lecturer Erel Shalit passed away in early 2018. This is his book, The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Era, published posthumously.
"The aim of this book," wrote Shalit, "is to present a depth psychological perspective on phenomena pertaining to the present, postmodern era. As such, its origins are in the depths; symbolically, in the depth of the waters, in which the sacred is reflected. Likewise, this book centers around the image, which has travelled from the forbidden zone of the transcendent command 'make no graven image, ' through the interiority of the human soul, to become an exteriorized, computerized, robot-generated image that virtualizes as well as augments reality."
This book, The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Eraexplores the changing character of the relationship between us humans and the image, and the dramatic impact this has in post-modern culture.

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

Chiron Publications

Well-known Jungian analyst, author and lecturer Erel Shalit passed away in early 2018. This is his book, The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Era, published posthumously."The aim of this book," wrote Shalit, "is to present a depth psychological perspective on phenomena pertaining to the present, postmodern era. As such, its origins are in the depths; symbolically, in the depth of the waters, in which the sacred is reflected. Likewise, this book centers around the image, which has travelled from the forbidden zone of the transcendent command 'make no graven image, ' through the interiority of the human soul, to become an exteriorized, computerized, robot-generated image that virtualizes as well as augments reality."This book, The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Eraexplores the changing character of the relationship between us humans and the image, and the dramatic impact this has in post-modern culture.

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny [Zurich Lecture Series Edition]

Religion & Spirituality

In this rich and poetically written book, Erel Shalit "calls attention to the dream and its images along the nocturnal axis that leads us from fate to destiny." He takes us on a journey from ancient history, beginning with the first documented dream, that of Gilgamesh, to Adam and Eve and the serpent, to Joseph in Egypt as the Pharaoh's dream interpreter, through ancient Greece to the Asklepion, to Swedenborg's visions, to our world today through the eyes of Freud, Jung, and science, and finally to the process of active imagination to reveal the workings of Mercurius and the transcendent function. As Dr. Shalit moves between cultures, he adds historical accounts of the many customs of working with dreams--our long history of how humans have paid close attention to this constant phenomenon for thousands of years. Scattered throughout the pages are engaging stories, legends, myths, and the roots of words that take meaning deeper. The chapters include dreams--historical dreams and the dreams of his patients. He works them, showing us how to squeeze the precious liquid from each one that can lead to a resolution of opposites and a state of understanding so profound--and sometimes so simple--that we witness how wholeness emerges from the psyche through this process. This accessible book is a reminder of the foundational work that leads to our greater consciousness and a destiny well-lived. Table of Contents Preface by Nancy Swift Furlotti A Poem by Erel Shalit, My Fathers' House Part 1. A History of the Dream: Fate and Destiny from Gilgamesh to Jung A. Introduction B. The Initial Dream: The Dream of Gilgamesh C. The Writing on the Wall: Nebuchadnezzar D. Ancient Greece: The Discourse of Dream E. Anima Between Fate and Destiny: Swedenborg F. The Dream of Hysteria G. Fate and Destiny Part 2. Soul and the Experience of Matter I. The Dream--Poetry of the Soul A. Introduction B. From Brain to Play C. Dreams and Ensoulment D. From Nature to Soul E. Soul and Reflection II. The Moisture of Dreams A. Gnosticism B. Adam's Eve C. The Serpent's Birth from Lilith's Womb D. The Serpent and Satan Part 3. What does Joseph Add to the Dream? Psychological Footnotes Along Joseph's Path to Egypt A. Visions of the Night B. Joseph the Dream Interpreter C. Joseph in Potiphar's House D. The Butler and the Baker E. Pharaoh's Dreams: The Principle of Opposites, Enantiodromia Part 4. Incubation, Being and Healing: A Therapy of Dreams A. Amethyst and Healing I. Incubation at Healing A. Incubation B. Asklepieion C. The Healing Symbol D. Chiron: The Wounded Healer II. The Self and the Great Mother A. The Serpent Part 5. The Ecology of Dream and Psychoanalysis I. Freud and Jung A. Freud B. Jung II. A Picture from the Unconscious A. Compensation B. Dream and Symbol C. The Symbolic Perspective D. The Dream and its Semiconscious Concomitants E. The Prospective Function in Dreams Part 6. Active Imagination and the Transcendent Function I. Active Imagination A. The Diary B. The Descent C. The Golden Chain D. Active Imagination II. The Transcendent Function A. Mercurius B. The Bridge to Wholeness Conclusion, Final Poem Bibliography Index

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny

In this rich and poetically written book, Erel Shalit "calls attention to the dream and its images along the nocturnal axis that leads us from fate to destiny." He takes us on a journey from ancient history, beginning with the first documented dream, that of Gilgamesh, to Adam and Eve and the serpent, to Joseph in Egypt as the Pharaoh's dream interpreter, through ancient Greece to the Asklepion, to Swedenborg's visions, to our world today through the eyes of Freud, Jung, and science, and finally to the process of active imagination to reveal the workings of Mercurius and the transcendent function. 
As Dr. Shalit moves between cultures, he adds historical accounts of the many customs of working with dreams--our long history of how humans have paid close attention to this constant phenomenon for thousands of years. Scattered throughout the pages are engaging stories, legends, myths, and the roots of words that take meaning deeper. The chapters include dreams--historical dreams and the dreams of his patients. He works them, showing us how to squeeze the precious liquid from each one that can lead to a resolution of opposites and a state of understanding so profound--and sometimes so simple--that we witness how wholeness emerges from the psyche through this process. This accessible book is a reminder of the foundational work that leads to our greater consciousness and a destiny well-lived. 
Table of Contents 
Preface by Nancy Swift Furlotti 
A Poem by Erel Shalit, My Fathers' House 
Part 1. A History of the Dream: Fate and Destiny from Gilgamesh to Jung 
A. Introduction 
B. The Initial Dream: The Dream of Gilgamesh 
C. The Writing on the Wall: Nebuchadnezzar 
D. Ancient Greece: The Discourse of Dream 
E. Anima Between Fate and Destiny: Swedenborg 
F. The Dream of Hysteria 
G. Fate and Destiny 
Part 2. Soul and the Experience of Matter 
I. The Dream--Poetry of the Soul 
A. Introduction 
B. From Brain to Play 
C. Dreams and Ensoulment 
D. From Nature to Soul 
E. Soul and Reflection 
II. The Moisture of Dreams 
A. Gnosticism 
B. Adam's Eve 
C. The Serpent's Birth from Lilith's Womb 
D. The Serpent and Satan 
Part 3. What does Joseph Add to the Dream? Psychological Footnotes Along Joseph's Path to Egypt 
A. Visions of the Night 
B. Joseph the Dream Interpreter 
C. Joseph in Potiphar's House 
D. The Butler and the Baker 
E. Pharaoh's Dreams: The Principle of Opposites, Enantiodromia 
Part 4. Incubation, Being and Healing: A Therapy of Dreams 
A. Amethyst and Healing 
I. Incubation at Healing 
A. Incubation 
B. Asklepieion 
C. The Healing Symbol 
D. Chiron: The Wounded Healer 
II. The Self and the Great Mother 
A. The Serpent 
Part 5. The Ecology of Dream and Psychoanalysis 
I. Freud and Jung 
A. Freud 129 B. Jung 
II. A Picture from the Unconscious 
A. Compensation 
B. Dream and Symbol 
C. The Symbolic Perspective 
D. The Dream and its Semiconscious Concomitants 
E. The Prospective Function in Dreams 
Part 6. Active Imagination and the Transcendent Function 
I. Active Imagination 
A. The Diary 
B. The Descent 
C. The Golden Chain 
D. Active Imagination 
II. The Transcendent Function 
A. Mercurius 
B. The Bridge to Wholeness 
Conclusion, Final Poem 
Bibliography 
Index

In this rich and poetically written book, Erel Shalit "calls attention to the dream and its images along the nocturnal axis that leads us from fate to destiny." He takes us on a journey from ancient history, beginning with the first documented dream, that of Gilgamesh, to Adam and Eve and the serpent, to Joseph in Egypt as the Pharaoh's dream interpreter, through ancient Greece to the Asklepion, to Swedenborg's visions, to our world today through the eyes of Freud, Jung, and science, and finally to the process of active imagination to reveal the workings of Mercurius and the transcendent function. As Dr. Shalit moves between cultures, he adds historical accounts of the many customs of working with dreams--our long history of how humans have paid close attention to this constant phenomenon for thousands of years. Scattered throughout the pages are engaging stories, legends, myths, and the roots of words that take meaning deeper. The chapters include dreams--historical dreams and the dreams of his patients. He works them, showing us how to squeeze the precious liquid from each one that can lead to a resolution of opposites and a state of understanding so profound--and sometimes so simple--that we witness how wholeness emerges from the psyche through this process. This accessible book is a reminder of the foundational work that leads to our greater consciousness and a destiny well-lived. Table of Contents Preface by Nancy Swift Furlotti A Poem by Erel Shalit, My Fathers' House Part 1. A History of the Dream: Fate and Destiny from Gilgamesh to Jung A. Introduction B. The Initial Dream: The Dream of Gilgamesh C. The Writing on the Wall: Nebuchadnezzar D. Ancient Greece: The Discourse of Dream E. Anima Between Fate and Destiny: Swedenborg F. The Dream of Hysteria G. Fate and Destiny Part 2. Soul and the Experience of Matter I. The Dream--Poetry of the Soul A. Introduction B. From Brain to Play C. Dreams and Ensoulment D. From Nature to Soul E. Soul and Reflection II. The Moisture of Dreams A. Gnosticism B. Adam's Eve C. The Serpent's Birth from Lilith's Womb D. The Serpent and Satan Part 3. What does Joseph Add to the Dream? Psychological Footnotes Along Joseph's Path to Egypt A. Visions of the Night B. Joseph the Dream Interpreter C. Joseph in Potiphar's House D. The Butler and the Baker E. Pharaoh's Dreams: The Principle of Opposites, Enantiodromia Part 4. Incubation, Being and Healing: A Therapy of Dreams A. Amethyst and Healing I. Incubation at Healing A. Incubation B. Asklepieion C. The Healing Symbol D. Chiron: The Wounded Healer II. The Self and the Great Mother A. The Serpent Part 5. The Ecology of Dream and Psychoanalysis I. Freud and Jung A. Freud B. Jung II. A Picture from the Unconscious A. Compensation B. Dream and Symbol C. The Symbolic Perspective D. The Dream and its Semiconscious Concomitants E. The Prospective Function in Dreams Part 6. Active Imagination and the Transcendent Function I. Active Imagination A. The Diary B. The Descent C. The Golden Chain D. Active Imagination II. The Transcendent Function A. Mercurius B. The Bridge to Wholeness Conclusion, Final Poem Bibliography Index

Requiem returns us to an eternal theme, a dialogue with Soul, and we know quite well what happens when one dialogues with Soul-we change, consciousness is enlarged, the impossible becomes possible and we no longer are compelled to blindly follow in the deathly path of our forefathers. 
Requiem is a fictitious account of a scenario played out in the mind of many Israelis, pertaining to existential reflections and apocalyptic fears, but then, as well, the hope and commitment that arise from the abyss of trepidation. While set in Israel sometime in the present, it is a story that reaches into the timelessness of history, weaving discussions with Heine and Kafka into a tale of universal implications.

Requiem: A Tale of Exile and Return

Judaism

il piccolo editions

In the first half of life, the task of the young traveler is to depart from home, to step out into the world in search for his or her adventure, to find his or her own individual path. 
However, in the second half, we find ourselves on what often amounts to a very long journey in search of Home. In many a tale, the hero, for instance Gilgamesh, sets off on his road to find life s elixir, while other stories, such as the Odyssey, revolve around the hero s long and arduous journey home. 
This archetypal journey of life is constantly repeated along the never-ending process of individuation. We find ourselves returning to this venture repeatedly, every night, as we set out on our nightly voyage into the landscape of our unconscious. Many dreams begin by being on the way, for instance, I am on my way to ..., I am driving on a road that leads into the desert ..., I am walking through one room after the other in a long corridor-like building ..., I am walking towards my office, but it looks different than in reality, I walk on the pavement and on the opposite side of the street someone seems to follow me ..., I go down into an underground parking..., I am in my car, but someone I don t know is driving, or, I have to go to the place from where I came ... 
Prominently, we are familiar with the journey of Dante, who at the very beginning of his Divine Comedy finds himself Midway along the journey of our life. 
The Cycle of Life received the Eric Hoffer Book Award Honors (in Culture), 2012.

The Cycle of Life: Themes and Tales of the Journey

Medical Books

Psychology

Fisher King Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Shalit, Erel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Shalit, Erel

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Shalit, Erel. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Hero and His Shadow: Psychopolitical Aspects of Myth and Reality in Israel

The Hero and His Shadow: Psychopolitical Aspects of Myth and Reality in Israel

The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Era

The Human Soul (Lost) in Transition At the Dawn of a New Era

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny [Zurich Lecture Series Edition]

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny [Zurich Lecture Series Edition]

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny

A Story of Dreams, Fate and Destiny

Requiem: A Tale of Exile and Return

The Cycle of Life: Themes and Tales of the Journey