The World's Best Book Summaries
What do Uncle Sam and Kronos have in common? How does the Father archetype balance out the Mother archetype? Along with the plot, characters are the basic building blocks of myth. Always present, they represent fundamental aspects of life and society. Jordan Peterson discusses the Father archetype in his book Maps of Meaning. Continue reading to understand what the Father represents and why this symbolism is so pervasive.
When things go wrong, do you look for someone or something to blame? If so, what good does that do? Placing blame is not a Stoic way to live. Philosophers such as Epictetus teach that it’s far better to accept things as they are. So, forget about pointing fingers in every direction—even inward. Continue reading to learn how acceptance is better than the blame game.
Are you trying to heal from emotionally immature parents? How can you mend your childhood wounds in adulthood? Many adults who suffered from childhood emotional neglect still suffer from this trauma. In Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents, Lindsey Gibson talks about how you can heal these wounds in just three ways. Learn how to heal from emotionally immature parents to move forward in life.
How do we create our very first stories? Are we born as blank slates, or is there a “collective unconscious” as psychologist Carl Jung suggested? Jordan Peterson’s answer to these questions is “yes and no.” We’re born with the mental problem-solving process as part of how our brains biologically function, but we learn our first stories by watching our parents. According to Jordan Peterson, stories help us figure out the world. Keep reading to learn how.
Do you think first before you act, or do you react in emotion? How might you think more objectively about something that’s happening to you? Stoicism emphasizes calm dignity and inner strength—that you don’t let anything upset or excite you so you can bring reason to bear in every situation. Epictetus teaches how to meet challenges with quiet rationality—to think first before you act. Read more to learn how to adopt this Stoic practice of rational action.
What is narrative coaching? Why is it important to disrupt the narrative in coaching? In Coach the Person, Not the Problem, Marcia Reynolds claims that lasting change only will come when people confront the narrative that’s living inside them. According to her, narrative coaching helps to disrupt misguided beliefs and personal values. Keep reading to learn more about narrative coaching, according to Reynolds.
What are the signs of emotional neglect in children? How can you easily recognize the signs? More often than not, children who suffer from emotional neglect try to cope with their trauma in their own way. Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsey Gibson explores three ways children navigate daily life with an emotionally immature parent. Keep reading to learn what the signs are to help children who are suffering from emotional neglect.
How can we understand what science doesn’t explain? How can we find meaning in our everyday lives? For Jordan Peterson, meaning and experience are strongly connected. In his book Maps of Meaning, he illumines the path from experience to myth and, ultimately, to meaning. Keep reading to learn about Peterson’s theory on meaning and experience.
Do you have any bad habits you want to break? What are the best books on habit? Whether you’re looking to break bad habits or form good ones, reading self-improvement books is a good place to start. In these books, you’ll learn how powerful habits really are, and the steps you can take to benefit from them. Below are ten books on habits that you should read to instill healthy behaviors.
What’s the difference between science and mythology when it comes to how we understand the world and ourselves? What are their distinct goals? Jordan Peterson contends that science plays a role in helping us understand objective reality but that we need myths to inform our subjective judgments. Myths provide meaning that science cannot. Read more to understand Peterson’s argument.