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MEMOIRS OF THE PHOENIX by Reece Harris

MEMOIRS OF THE PHOENIX

Shatterings

by Reece Harris

Pub Date: May 26th, 2011
ISBN: 978-1432776220
Publisher: Outskirts

Our dreams may be more valuable than we know, says one visionary scholar.

It has been said that our dreams are simply the result of the subconscious mind trying to open a locked doorway to knowledge, and a pathway to memories that sometimes feel as tangible as reality. According to Jung, the father of analytical psychology, dreams come from the amount of an individual’s psychic energy and help determine whether they’re an extrovert or an introvert in waking life. This idea of dreams and manifested memories is at the crux of the debut work by philosophy scholar and professor Harris (St. John’s College, Univ. of Maryland). The author is not just a teacher, but a student of Jungian dream examination and how this idea crosses over to other philosophies, evolutionary linguistics and great works of literature and art. This all leads the spiritual traveler to a better understanding of what their dreams and memories mean and what our hearts truly desire. Through careful examination of concepts from titans like Aristotle, Plato, Jung, Nietzsche, Hegel, Asian philosophy mentor Roshi Zenkei Shibayama, Native American and Buddhist influences, Harris presents powerful intersecting ideas to the reader. He also draws parallels between literary works by Sophocles, Plato, Dante, Jorge Luis Borges, James Joyce, Lady Murasaki, Ezra Pound and others. Works of art included in the book—from the collage on the front cover to the familiar sight of the eternal Ouroboros at the end—make an impact on the reader, and mathematics and poetics also play a role in defining the author’s desire to “shatter” common ways of thought. Like most philosophers espousing new ideas, Harris tends to speak at length to make his point at times, but the book is ultimately rewarding.

A great read for the patient but thirsty philosopher and soul searcher.