Synopses & Reviews
As the son of two Jungian therapists, the young Micah Toub got a double dose of insight, ranging from the flaky to the profound. Dreamwork, archetypes, conflict resolution, the mind-body connection--Toub's childhood was a virtual laboratory of psychology. A mysterious growth on his father's nose embodied the conflict that would lead to his parents' divorce. Family meetings involved dream analysis and intense emotional unburdening. As a young adult, Micah chased his "anima" in the form of a fickle poetess who eventually broke his heart, but then a series of coincidences later identified as "synchronicity" led him to his fiancée. Enriched with excerpts from Carl Jung's own memoir, and informed by readings and conversations with Jungian gurus and unbelievers alike, intelligently examines the pros and cons of Jungian philosophy as we witness Toub embrace his "shadow" and meditate with his "ally" in that elusive quest for "individuation." While tackling themes like the anima, the Oedipus complex, and transference, it addresses the question: is it possible for the spawn of two shrinks to reach adulthood mentally unscathed?
Synopsis
As the son of two Jungian psychologists, the young Micah Toub got a double dose of insight, ranging from the flaky to the profound. Dreamwork, archetypes, conflict resolution, the mind-body connection, our 'shadows' and our 'allies"Toub"s childhood was a virtual laboratory of psychotherapy. There was the time his mother lamented (in front of his girlfriend) that she was no longer his 'number-one woman.' Or the many times his father tried to resolve family conflict by urging Micah and his sister to 'see a figure or a story in the shapes of the plaster' on the ceiling.
Intensely funny and seriously smart about the pros and cons of Jungian analysis, Growing Up Jungtackles themes such as the anima, the Oedipus complex, and transference while addressing the question: is it possible for the spawn of two shrinks to reach adulthood mentally unscathed?
Synopsis
A mysterious growth on his father s nose embodied the conflict that would lead to his parents divorce. Family meetings involved dream analysis and intense emotional unburdening. As a young adult, Micah chased his anima in the form of a fickle poetess who eventually broke his heart, but then a series of coincidences later identified as synchronicity led him to his fiancee Enriched with excerpts from Carl Jung s own memoir, and informed by readings and conversations with Jungian gurus and unbelievers alike, Growing Up Jung intelligently examines the pros and cons of Jungian philosophy as we witness Toub embrace his shadow and meditate with his ally in that elusive quest for individuation. While tackling themes like the anima, the Oedipus complex, and transference, it addresses the question: is it possible for the spawn of two shrinks to reach adulthood mentally unscathed? "
Synopsis
Wild personal history meets irreverent survey of Jungian psychology in this memoir about growing up as the son of two shrinks.
About the Author
Micah Toubgrew up in Denver, Colorado, and now resides in Toronto, Canada, where he writes on psychology and other topics, including a biweekly column on relationships from a male point of view for The Globe & Mail.