The Search for the Beloved: Journeys in Mythology & Sacred Psychology

Jean Houston captures the essence of meeting the beloved ... when our ego's mask vanishes and we connect to our inner truth of who we really are. Some call this the soul, others the spirit, and also the essence. Underneath it all we are often profoundly different from who we create ourselves to be. We are actors in a play and only when the false role is shed do we see that we are happier being our true selves. A wonderful account of how deep down inside ... we are who we are searching for ... and only we can give it to ourselves and no one else.

I bought this book about a year ago and then taught a class based on it at my church. I know I will return to this book over and over throughout my life.

I found an original 1987 copy of this book at a small book store in my town. To my suprise, this is one of the most inspirational books I have read. The book starts off with basic information and exercises on developing your imagination and sensory perception and along the way takes you deeper and deeper into your own psyche. Some of the exercises are long and a bit complicated, but worth the effort. Her ideas and theories on spirituality can easily fit any spiritual path or belief system. This is an excellent book to use as a reference for a spiritual development group. Many of the exercises can be incorporated into such a group or be performed alone. This is a wonderful book that can act as a catalyst for emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth and development.