Publisher's Synopsis
The Inner Man vs The Mythical King With a scholar's mind and an Elvis-fan's heart, eminent psychiatrist and Jungian analyst Dr David H. Rosen illuminates both the inner Elvis and the myth of Elvis in popular culture. An inspirational, perceptive, personal and truly innovative exploration of Elvis, a rock and roll idol who was a deeply spiritual being, well beyond his well-known gospel and blues singing. The Tao of Elvis includes essays by two New York Times Best-Selling Authors: Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life, contributes a foreword in which he asks pivotal questions about the parallel destinies of Elvis and America. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype, has contributed a free-wheeling afterword passionately expressing how Elvis's "beautiful flame of life" rocked the post-war world, and rocks her still. Forty-two chapters representing the forty-two years of Elvis's life contain perceptive and inspiring quotations from the world's most perceptive thinkers, as well as from the people who knew Elvis best. In a most readable fashion, Rosen unites the varied voices into each chapter's theme: Tao Opposites Child Mother Father Family and Friends Spirit, Soul, and Religion Love Music and Song Grace and Gentleness Darkness, Sorrow, and Sadness Light, Fire and Passion Dreams Giving and Generosity Alone and Loneliness Twinning and Pairing Man of Tao Innocence and Play Knowledge and Wisdom Image (Persona and Shadow) Truth and Truth of Character Happiness and Joy Virtue Beauty Nature and Water Work (Business) Transcendence and Transformation Success and Failure Home (Graceland) King Pain and Suffering Harmony and Balance Prisoner and Freedom Destiny Meditation and Health Madness and Illness Compassion and Forgiveness Mirror Purpose and Meaning Prayer and Sacrifice Death and Rebirth Spiritual Wholeness The Tao of Elvis is fully illustrated with Chinese papercut-inspired artwork by Diane Katz and includes a the artist's annotations for each chapter, and thorough Notes and Bibliography.
