Personal Mythology: Using Ritual, Dreams, and Imagination to Discover Your Inner Story

David Feinstein, PhD, Stanley Krippner, PhD
Elite Books/Energy Psychology Press (2008)
ISBN 9781604150360
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/08)


As I began reading “Personal Mythology,” I was struck by tremendous feelings of both hope and peace.  I felt like I got my hands on a tool that will allow me to create the life that I have been wanting to live, but didn’t know how to go about getting there.  I read a lot of self-help books and books about psychology.  I also have a Master of Science degree in the Counseling field, yet I still didn’t feel like I had what I needed to really get me going.  What makes me feel like I can finally achieve this, is that part of the “Personal Mythology” process involves delving back into my past so that I can make corrections on the false beliefs that I have had that have gotten me to where I am today.  They served their needs at the time, but I am ready to move on.

In this book, myth “is the stuff of the evolving self that awakens consciousness and cultures according to the needs of time and place. It is the promise of becoming.”  Each of us lives by our own mythology.
           
There are five stages of this process.  As we proceed through the stages we seek out the root causes of our issues and then create a plan for healing ourselves.  It is empowering because we take responsibility for our healing process.  We are also able to see how our own personal stories are linked to the greater Whole.  Our mythologies affect our development.  Much of this happens beneath our level of awareness.  With this program, we are able to step in and direct the evolution of our own personal mythology.

“Personal Mythology” is set up to be a 12-week program that includes a support guide.  There are three hour-long sessions to be done each week.  This timeframe is flexible to fit one’s needs; however, this is the general plan.  Each stage involves the participant journaling, using guided imagery and doing dream work.  There are activities with which to write about.  These are referred to as Personal Rituals.   There is also a Support Guide to help give further clarity to the process and to assist with potential issues that might arise while doing this work.  It is the third edition under this title.  This version incorporates a tutorial on Energy Psychology.  The authors have found that incorporating energy healing into this type of work allows the process to go faster and smoother.  To do some of the guided imagery exercises, it is recommended that you make a recording of the steps so that you can relax and listen to what you need to do.  There is also a 3 CD audio program available separately.  I fully intend to purchase these CDs and use them to guide my path, but it is noted that it is not necessary as you can create your own.

I cannot wait to get started on this process.  “Personal Mythology” makes so much sense and truly resonates within my soul as it incorporates both psychological principles along with spiritual ones.  I look forward to where the work takes me.  I saw so much of myself in some of the personal stories that were told by participants of this process.  I believe that people who are interested in this type of deep spiritual and psychological work will truly benefit from reading this book. I think it would also be a great tool for someone to use who is in therapy.  I can’t imagine anyone that won’t benefit from reading “Personal Mythology” by David Feinstein, PhD, Stanley Krippner, PhD.

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