The Language of Archetypes: Discover the Forces that Shape Your Destiny

Ok, it is an audio book in original form, I know.
There are not allot of people that come along and can point you in the right direction, or more importantly, give you the tools to choose the right direction. Caroline Myss is both, depending on what you are looking for. Either way, I think everyone from teen to into their 70's should listen to this book. She teaches you to know yourself first, and then you can, if you choose, identify other people's Archetypes. Listen very carefully to her, know where the line is and what you are crossing when you do this, it is easy to misuse what she teaches you. If you use your knowledge as a weapon, well, just don't do it. What you become is the shadow-side of your own archetype. You don't want that.
One last note, I cannot finish this review before commenting on some of the others, sorry, it's just in me. I think some misunderstand her, either by choice or not. Don't mistake her coarseness at times for raw feeling, or for heaven's sake, DON'T take it personal. LISTEN..., that is all I can say.

I found these lectures very informative as well as meditative! Sometimes while I listened I took notes... other times I danced. I shared the author's ideas with friends and family. She definately had an effect on me! I was somewhat familiar with Carl Jung's archetypes before listening to these CDs, so this all wasn't completely new material... it's just that the way the author presents her ideas is so practical, it really helped me to understand myself and everyone around me with more compassion and awareness. I also laughed more than a few times. Ms. Myss has such a matter-of-fact way of stating things... I couldn't help but laugh at some of my own deep-set belief patterns.

Overall, I was very impressed.

Caroline Myss is not as widely known as she should be. The study of archetypes in our lives is not a new idea; it dates back to ancient philosophers, and is well-known to modern psychology. However, it is not a common topic for the average person. I propose that it SHOULD be, and Ms. Myss has put it into a context that will appeal to the average reader. We all regularly use this "language" of archetypes when we point out the "bully" in the school yard or the "princess" at work. But rarely do we look carefully at the characterics that make these traits so easily and naturally identifiable to us all. When seen through fairy tales, movies, and common experiences, these traits suddenly come alive and you (the reader/listener) will discover a whole new view of the world and of yourself. You will soon find that you can see the REASON for another's behavior (and your own as well) in a way that will provoke thought, understanding, and compassion. I recommend THE LANGUAGE OF ARCHETYPES as the first step into this delightful, insightful and astonishing world. You will find you want to learn more.

Caroline Myss is a genius in understanding and teaching of our purpose for being.Her explanation of God are so extraordinarily easy to understand and comprehend.This book I feel is a smooth transition to all of her previous work.She truly understands the energetics of humans.If you are on a path of self discovery and have asked yourself why you are here and for what purpose, this is a MUST read.

This book is a wonderful introduction to and expansion of the concepts of archetypes and how they apply to our everyday existence. I have been looking for a title that would help me gain a modern day view of Jungian psychology. Caroline Myss is interesting to listen to and very informative. She concretely explains the 'language' in such a way that the casual listener can understand while at the same time offering the budding expert enough to whet the palate. She is truly a master teacher!

This is the most excellent book/lecture on finding your life purpose ever written. Purchasing it will change your life. If you are tired of stumbling through life not really knowing why you are here, or how to discover why things happen in your life, she will help you discover your life's true meaning.

I realize that this isn't exactly a topic that is generally accepted as documented "fact" to begin with, but I felt that this book was pitiful. I would say this book is 15% archetypes, and 85% the author ranting about her life and the fact that she is right and everyone else is wrong. I am generally able to listen to about anything. I listen to books on quantum physics for crying out loud. This was terrible. I listened for almost 3 hours before she started actually getting in to individual archetypes. When she finally did, she kept going into asides that completely took away from any learning process that was being started. Unless you love this author specifically, and are a huge fan of her personal agenda I would highly recommend finding another read. That is my personal opinion of course.

If you like Myss' works, this will not disappoint as it contains great in-depth explorations of the relationship between various aspects of our personalities and the traditional Archetypes that she covers, but be aware this is a live speech rather than an actual reading of a book, which can be fun as there is some audience feedback and interaction, but can also be frustrating as there are times Myss starts to talk about a particular situation or Archetype, but then gets distracted and wanders off elsewhere. If you want a more structured discussion about archetypes, consider reading her "Sacred Contracts" book.

In terms of performance, I have to confess that the more Myss ages, the more unpleasant I find her voice and mannerisms. The early audios weren't bad, but listening to her here made me want to stab myself in the eye with a pencil. I just had to stop at one point and haven't listened any further. Make sure you listen to the sample first to see if you can handle her voice before you purchase.

I would recommend this book to a friend, because it helps to explain the personality traits of oneself and those in one's lives.

I enjoyed learning about the different archetypes. It would have been better if there was a question/answer piece to help us understand or at least recognize all of our 12 archeteypes.

This book, like Carolyn Myss' other works had a ring of truth to it, and I would truly love to learn more about archetypes to better understand myself and those I have contracts with.

Someone who likes an author to meander in stories about herself before getting to objective material.

Maybe, a book that actually defines the personality types in an objective way.

Leonard Nimoy

No

This book was a big bore. I wanted to learn about the theory of archetypes - instead I just wasted my Audible credits.