Vocational Dreams: Calling Archetypes and Nuclear Symbols

Jungian analyst Steven Herrmann advances his hypothesis in this book that vocational dreams can grace us with a sense of destiny. By paying careful attention to our dreams, calling archetypes may suddenly break forth from the Self to heal neurosis by dissolving defenses against the inner voice.

After more than four decades of dream research, Herrmann's message is that vocational dreams are the single most important variables in the process of analytic work with patients and readers. Vocational archetypes have a center to them, a nuclear point of contact with the deepest parts of the Self.

Some of our deepest motivations are produced by what Herrmann calls nuclear symbols, which are one of the most powerful sources of inspiration we can experience. They are dynamic factors of evolution in the personality, and are sources of centeredness and peace in the psyche and the world.

To validate this theory, the author provides a number of examples from anthropological research, including child cases, interviews with young adults, biographies, and clinical vignettes from people in mid-life.

Vocational dreams give us trust in our future destinations. They infuse us with purpose, energy, or life-force. This book will show psychotherapists, analysts, parents, teachers, career counselors, anthropologists, vision quest guides, coaches, and others how to recognize and affirm the emergence of calling dreams, which can free us to experience joy and human fulfillment through a process of vocational metamorphosis.

Author Bio:

Steven Herrmann, Ph.D. MFT is a certified Jungian analyst with a private practice in Oakland, California. He is the author of seven well-received books, including William James and C.G. Jung: Doorways to the Self.