Summary: Dr. Erel Shalit is a Jungian psychoanalyst in Ra'anana, Israel & the author of The Cycle of Life: Themes and Tales of the Journey (2011), the February Depth Psychology Alliance selection for the free online book club. The Cycle of Life explores crucial archetypal images of the journey & the stages of life, illustrated by dreams, myths & tales. The sense of meaning along one’s individual journey through life is exemplified by personal stories and clinical vignettes. “To speak of a general, human life cycle," says Daniel Levinson, "is to propose that the journey from birth to old age follows an underlying, universal pattern on which there are endless cultural and individual variations." In his essay 'The Stages of Life,' Jung discusses "the problems connected with the stages of life," claiming problem to be the kernel of culture and consciousness. Jung clearly aims at living the conscious life, just like Socrates declared the unexamined life not worth living. On our journey through the stages (or ages) of our life, we encounter the archetypal essence of each phase, & are challenged by the essence of meaning that we are requested to deal with on our journey. Other works by Dr. Shalit, a training & supervising analyst and past President of the Israel Society of Analytical Psychology, are Requiem: A Tale of Exile & Return (2010), award-winning Enemy, Cripple & Beggar: Shadows in the Hero’s Path (2008), The Hero & His Shadow: Psychopolitical Aspects of Myth and Reality in Israel (2004), & The Complex: Path of Transformation from Archetype to Ego (2002).
