The Middle Passage
A book review: James Hollis’ The Middle Passage.
Hollis is a Jungian psychologist and a prolific author. His book Middle Passgae surfaces myths, arechtypes, and therapy cases in an attempt to convey a stoty of middle passage, a period in human life when we face ‘midlife crysis’ or a deep transformation of sorts.
This passage means a transition from adolescent-like “early adulthood”, which is socially constructed and approved, to a “second adulthood”, which means the need for integration and accpetance of inevitable aging and death.
The pressure that comes from inside during this period is heavily determined by the lack of identity that has been accepted and manifested by a person before, and unability to construct a new identity.
The passage also means that old projections and reflections are not working anymore. The hopes (and fears) that one held dear regarding the roles of their career, spouse, children and material life, are no longer there. It creates emptiness, fear and a sense of loneliness in the world.
Hollis takes time to investigate what it means for a human being to get into this midlife territory, and to embark on a journey of their soul. He talks about most common dialogs that happen between a person and his shadow, frequent relationship patterns that show up with partners and children, and about classical works of literature and poetry that highlight this period of human life.
The book gives a great analysis of personal evolution, encourages one’s deep investigation, and creates opportunities for further growth.
How can this book be used in coaching?
By tackling very important aspects of human transformation that happens between first and second adulthood, this book creates a set of opportunities to coach, guide and offer support for clients who might be in the middle of such change.
