Psychology of the Hero Soul (Sample Chapter)

Break on Through to the Other Side

“There is the known, and there is the unknown, and in between is the doors.”
– Jim Morrison

“Break on through to the other side...Where the day destroys the night and night divides the day...Break on through to the other side.” These were the famous haunting words sung by the American poet, rock artist, Jim Morrison of The Doors. With these words, he electrified an entire generation. And with these words, he began his own destruction. Morrison was talking about the great hero quest that he longed to take: to break on through to the other side, the dark side, the spiritual side, the unknown, and beyond. To penetrate the deepest darkness of his soul, enter on to the other side of pure light, and return with a vision to heal himself and his people. But Jim Morrison never returned from the dark side.

Jim was not prepared to enter into the dark side. He did not understand the psychology of the hero soul, and did not have the capacity to deal with the horror of his inner demons. Instead of slaying the dragon, his ego, he fed his ego with more fire and hatred. He set out to kiss the serpent, to ride the snake to the end of time and beginning of eternity, but he was swallowed by it. He was consumed by his own darkness.

The same thing happened with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. They got stuck in the dark side. By using artificial means, massive quantities of drugs and alcohol, they were able to shut the spinning wheels of their mind and receive a small glimpse of the other side. In their drug-induced trances, they caught the occasional beams of light on ‘the other side’ that penetrated their darkness with visions of poetic expression.

But they did so at a great cost to themselves and people around them. These visions may have electrified their generation, but they did not heal. They simply entertained people, and at best, during their peak, may have satisfied a small yearning inside. But their music did not elevate people to a higher level of understanding like Mozart, Beethoven, or John Lennon.

Joseph Campbell, in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, beautifully illustrates the path of the hero: “the birth, life, and death of the individual may be regarded as a descent into unconsciousness and return. The hero is the one who, while still alive, knows and represents the claims of the super consciousness which throughout creation is...unconscious. The adventure of the hero represents the moment when, while still alive, he found and opened the road to the light beyond the dark walls of our living death.”

The penultimate hero is able to enter into the unconscious realm and beyond, still awake, and bring back the boons that elevate entire civilizations and create the titan works that give birth to cultural enlightenment. He or she has the strength, will, courage, and inner capacity to defeat the dark demons of the other side.

Heroes also survive the cruel impact of the world. They learn to effectively deal with the initial, furious scorn and ridicule from people that don’t understand them upon their return. They learn to shatter the ego, and return transformed, offering people the life elixir to renew and transform themselves as well. They cause the illumination of the collective soul and liberation of the mind. The highest purpose of the hero is to provide a vision that heals our tribe called humanity.

Can we all aspire to become like this in our lifetime? This is a question that I cannot answer, because I have no authority to decide what is possible and what is not. The important thing to remember is that this work is a composite of the universal hero in a state of perfection. We only need to access a small fraction of this power to experience a new life with new power and new blood." [Excerpted from "Psychology of the Hero Soul," by Sharif Khan, Chapter 1.]

Psychology of the Hero Soul is an inspirational book on awakening the Hero within and rekindling people 's passion for greatness. It is based on author, Sharif Khan's ten years research in the field of human development. The Hero Soul is availble to order in most major bookstores including Borders, Barnes and Noble, Chapters, Indigo, and Coles bookstores. To order online visit: http://www.herosoul.com

Psychology of the Hero Soul, by Sharif Khan, ISBN 0973192208, Diamond Mind Books, 160 pages, $14.95 US, trade-paperback, Self-help/Inspirational, distributed by Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and University of Toronto Press.

For more information on special quantity discounts call (416) 417-1259 or email: inspire@herosoul.com

About the Author

Sharif Khan is a freelance writer, speaker, and author of the inspirational leadership bestseller, "Psychology of the Hero Soul" (http://www.HeroSoul.com). He is currently working on his first novel.

Dreamwork

Excerpt from Hero Soul ezine on Dreamwork:

“I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they’ve gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind."
- Emily Bronte, English novelist and poet


Dear Friends and Subscribers,


A celestially delightful new year to you all! What better way to start the year then to explore the tremendous power of dreams to transform our lives by improving relationships, solving problems, diagnosing illnesses, inspiring creativity, fresh ideas and new inventions, and teaching leadership and right conduct.

On February 3, 2005, I had what world renowned psychologist Dr. Carl Jung called a ‘BIG DREAM’. It was a powerfully vivid life-defining dream which crystallized my purpose and calling in life. It’s a sacred dream which I still refer to often and which has led me on a Dream Quest to explore and understand the magic of dreams.

One of the highlights of 2007 for me was taking an intensive sixteen-hour Dreamwork Workshop at the home of Dr. Marina Quattrocchi who completed her doctoral thesis on dreams based on her over seven year’s of dreamwork practice with high-school students.

I’d like to share with you some key learning points on dreamwork that I took away from this course as well as some fresh insights I’ve picked-up along the way based on my own independent dream research:

We spend up to 7 years of our lives dreaming

We all average about five to seven dreams a night (even if we don’t remember them) and will spend approximately five to seven full years of our lifetime dreaming.

Dreams are the language of the soul

Dreams are the language of the soul. They are spirit informing mind with the purpose of bringing wholeness and healing in our lives. Dreams serve two main functions: 1). To help us work through our issues or karma, and 2). To help us fulfill our destiny, purpose, or dharma. Most dreams will fall under these two broad pillars.

Everyone can understand their dreams

We all have the potential to self-interpret or at least understand our dreams to help enrich our lives.

Dreams come in many shapes and sizes

Precognitive or predictive dreams help us prepare for a future event that comes to pass. Clairvoyant or clear seeing dreams can often help us better perceive what’s happening in the present. And retro-cognitive dreams can help uncover something hidden in the past. Past, present, and future are one fluid continuum that dreams draw from.

There are visitation dreams where angels, mentors, and loved ones visit us to provide guidance. Lucid dreams occur when we become aware that we are dreaming – allowing us some conscious influence on the outcome of the dream. Telepathic dreams involve mind-to-mind communication with other people.

We often will dream experiential testing dreams (especially during a transition) where our soul is trying out different scenarios to help us make better choices or help prepare us for an arduous undertaking.

For example, a high school student transitioning over to college might have recurring dreams about participating in various on campus activities to better prepare him for the actual event. Or a recently laid off person who’s thinking of jumping into a business full-time might have a dream where she’s running her business but is wearing disheveled clothing, feeling exhausted, and swimming in a sea of paperwork. This dream could be warning the dreamer to transition over part-time or choose another business deal.

Dreams can have many layers of meaning

More complex dreams with several scenes will often involve multiple layers of meaning. Some dreams will require a long period of incubation involving several months or years because they are working on complex problems.

Some of these complex dreams might not make any sense at the moment of interpretation but will make sense after an appropriate gestation period has elapsed. It is well worth the effort to journal your dreams in as much detail as you can and make a conscious effort to explore all aspects and meanings of your dreams. Some dreams, like a good book, will bring new flashes of insight and meaning with each reading.

Dream Recall Tips

* Start with the belief that you can and will remember your dreams.

* Place a pad, pencil and pen by your bedside. (Pencil tips can break while pens can run out of ink).

* Try a light pen so you can write your dreams in the dark without having to switch on a lamp.

* You may wish to have a tape-recorder to speak your dream upon waking.

* Reading a good book on dreams 20 minutes before going to bed can help stimulate dream recall.

* Repeat a dream recall affirmation often such as: “I am easily remembering and recording my dreams.”

* Write down your dream as soon as you awake. 80% of a dream can be lost in as little as 10 minutes.

* Visualize yourself immediately writing down your dream on waking.

* Be as still as possible. Shifting positions in bed is known to reduce dream recall.

* Tell a partner or trusted friend in advance that you will share your dream with them tomorrow.

* Meditating and praying for guidance will put you in the alpha dream state and help increase recall.

* Get a good night’s sleep. Dreams get progressively longer peaking in the 6th, 7th, and 8th hours of sleep.

* You will establish the habit of remembering your dreams by journaling them for the next 30 days.

Dream Interpretation Tips

* Start with a sincere intent to learn from your dreams to better yourself and live purposefully.

* What emotional feeling are you left with? Feelings are more accurate and truthful than words in dreams.

* You are made up of 80% water. The state of water in your dreams often reflects your emotional state.

* Write a simple story line. Summarize your dream in one sentence and express the main theme.

* Ask: “Why did my soul have this experience? What do I need to understand? What issues need working?”

* Be aware of the events occurring in your life at the time of your dream; especially the day before.

* Remember that dream symbols often have dual opposite meanings. Good dream dictionaries will have both.

* There are three main types of symbols: archetypal symbols, cultural symbols, and personal symbols.

* Review all your dreams at least once a year. You will notice common themes and motifs to help guide you.

* Act on your dreams: call or visit someone, pick up a book, watch a movie, wear clothing from your dreams.

* Dream application leads to dream interpretation. By applying your dreams the full meaning reveals itself.


In my book, Psychology of the Hero Soul (http://www.herosoul.com/), I mention 7 keys to accessing the unknown for enriching and positively transforming one’s life. Dreamwork is one of those keys. If this topic fascinates you, then I highly recommend Dr. Marina Quattrocchi's Dreamwork course. For information about her workshops and dream therapy sessions, call 416-246-0123 or send an email to marina.quattro@sympatico.ca mentioning my name (Sharif Khan) as the referral source.

I’m not getting anything for recommending Dr. Quattrocchi’s course, but I’m hoping referring people to her will generate enough goodwill to be invited back to participate in one of her advanced workshops!

More importantly, I sincerely believe Dr. Quattrochi is doing an excellent job of helping people harness their dreams. In this sleep-deprived, dream-deprived world, helping people to honor their dreams will bring healing and wholeness to the planet.

In her book, Dreamwork Uncovered, Dr. Quattrochi mentions the fascinating culture of the ancient Senoi tribe who lived in the mystic mountains of Malaysia. This mysterious tribe was so advanced that at one period of their existence “there had been no accounts of violent crime for over two hundred years!”

Interestingly, dreams played a central role in their culture and every morning family members would share their dreams with each other and consult the village council.

We now live in a world where the village Shaman that brought healing and hope to people is all but killed off. Under the veil of science and technological progress, the world weeps silently. It is time to bring back the lost art of dreaming...


Sharif Khan
http://www.herosoul.com/
Freelance Writer, Consultant, Speaker
Author of "Psychology of the Hero Soul"
An inspirational book on awakening the hero within
(As mentioned in Reader's Digest Canada)


The dreams of the whispering wind
enter my heart
and permeate my soul
to tell of a tale untold
yet fully known and once traversed
bringing me back to the place I cry for
in all my wandering days on earth.

- Sharif Khan, Author of The Hero Soul


To subscribe to the Hero Soul eZine, visit: http://www.herosoul.com/ and click on the “newsletter” button or send a blank email to inspire@herosoul.com with “subscribe to hero soul” in the subject heading.

FREE Breakfast Seminar with StreetSmart Marketer

I’d like to personally invite you to a complimentary breakfast networking seminar with Michael Hepworth, author of “The StreetSmart Marketer.”

In this private seminar (see details below), you will learn how some business owners have increased their business by as much as 300% using a simple, proven, and low risk marketing system.

I believe it will be an important activity for anyone who is serious about growing their business.

However, this is an Invitation Only event for business owners, entrepreneurs, sales executives, independent professionals, and consultants.

It is only available by reservation and seating will be limited. Click on the following link to reserve your spot immediately:
Complimentary Breakfast Networking Seminar with StreetSmart Marketer

Cracking the Success Code: The DNA of Rapid Growth in Business

Date: February 14, 2008

Time: Breakfast, Registration, and Networking 8:00am to 8:30am

Session: 8:30am to 12:00pm (noon)

Location: Toronto, Ontario (details provided on registration page)

Cost: No cost. You must pre-register for this event. No registrations will be taken at the door.

Early Registration Bonus: The first 10 people to register will receive a free copy of Michael’s new CD set, “The StreetSmart Business Owner's Guide to Working Less and Making More” at the session. A value of $39.99. Sign-up now to immediately reserve your spot:
Complimentary Breakfast Networking Seminar with StreetSmart Marketer


Description: “In this special live session titled ‘Cracking the Success Code,’ Michael Hepworth will reveal to you some of the proven methods he has personally used to build several multi-million dollar businesses during his career.

The following is a partial list of success secrets that will be discussed:

* The 7 common barriers to growth and how to overcome them
* What you need to do to avoid getting caught in a price war
* How to make your customers notice you and not your competition
* What is ‘marketing clutter’ and how it will kill your business
* Techniques for dealing with prospects who are more skeptical and less trusting
* How to get customers to buy more each time they buy
* Methods for getting customers to buy more frequently
* How to find the time you need to grow the business and have time for your personal life

Note: The ideas in this session aren’t from some textbook. Nor are they just wild ideas that have never been tried before. These are proven, money-making examples that can work in any business.”

RSVP today by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/ysk2la

Do not hesitate to call or email me should you experience any problems with pre-registering.


To your success,

Sharif Khan
Business Writer, Consultant, Communications Specialist
Author of Leadership Bestseller, “Psychology of the Hero Soul”
Tel: 416-417-1259; Web: http://www.herosoul.com/

Reader's Digest mentions Hero Soul

I’m excited to share that Reader’s Digest Canada has mentioned my book, Psychology of the Hero Soul, in a feature article revealing latest scientific discoveries on “What Makes a Hero”! (2008 Edition).

Reader’s Digest is Canada’s most widely read magazine with over 8 million readers. It’s a great feeling to see the psychology of a hero brought to a mainstream audience.

I’m definitely noticing a major trend in popular culture towards living more socially conscious lives and honoring heroes who make a difference. NBC’s hit TV series Heroes, CNN’s recent Heroes tribute aired globally, and Reader’s Digest Canada’s “Heroes of the Year” feature, are good cases in point.

A Happy & Heroic New Year's to you all!

Sharif Khan
http://www.herosoul.com
Freelance Writer, Consultant, Speaker
Author of "Psychology of the Hero Soul"