Living with Borrowed Dust: Reflections on Life, Love, and Other Grievances

A collection of essays from Jungian psychoanalyst Dr. James Hollis exploring and celebrating evolving questions on life’s mysterious journey.

Life can often feel like a distraction, dividing us not only from others but also from ourselves. Yet even within the cacophony of life, deep down you can intuit your own soul, that part of you that knows you better than you know yourself, and that offers moments of solace.

Our disconnect from this inner source of guidance leads to self-doubt, but bestselling author and Jungian analyst James Hollis provides a reminder that we carry within what we’re so anxiously looking for from a crazed world. ＂Behind the noise and beneath the surface, something in the soul of each of us cries out,＂ says Hollis. ＂While we may be distracted from this summons, the soul keeps asking that we pay attention.＂ These summons come to us through symptoms, dreams, and restless nights. Here, Hollis reveals tools we can utilize to engage in a conversation with the soul.

In this collection of essays, Hollis helps us to reflect deeply on questions that explore and celebrate life’s challenges in our evolving world, including how happiness is attained, how to approach our dreams, the divided soul of America, our fear and fascination with death, and the conflict between good and evil. Using analytic psychology as a vehicle for the recovery of a spiritual life in a secular age, you’ll find inspiration for reconnecting with deep wisdom, bringing renewed purpose and dignity to this mysterious journey called life.

James Hollis, PhD, is a Jungian analyst practicing in Washington, DC, and the author of more than nineteen books, including The Eden Project, What Matters Most, and Living an Examined Life. Hailing from several Jungian institutes and societies, Hollis aids both readers and clients through the complexities of modern life, focusing on the second half of life, aging, dreamwork, and the nature of personal growth in spite of the challenges of modern life. For more, visit jameshollis.net.