What Matters Most: Living a More Considered Life Paperback – December 29, 2009

I'm revising my earlier review, because it was written soon after I discovered Hollis' work, and it wasn't very helpful about this specific book.Eight months later, I'd say this is my favorite Hollis book. It feels like his most personal work -- he alludes to the death of his son while writing it -- and so it seems less like an analysis of Jungian ideas and more of where Jungian thought has brought him to feel and value as important. That said, I do think familiarity with his earlier work enriches the reading of this book.If you are new to Hollis, my recommendation would be to get this book in conjunction with his excellent CD set Through the Dark Wood, which is a survey of the themes of most of his earlier books. Hollis is an excellent speaker, and the material offers enough depth for repeated listens. You could then purchase his earlier books depending on what interests you.Two things strike me about this book, which Hollis himself may take issue with, but what the hell...1. If you are familiar with Myers-Briggs, Hollis to me presents a distinctly NT view of the world, more evident here than in his other work. So, if you have ever felt like you are an NT living in an SJ world, you may find you resonate with this material in a powerful, energizing way. (I suspect earlier reviews accusing Hollis of a liberal agenda were written by SJs who have a hard time finding value in things like doubt and uncertainty.)2. This book serves as an indictment (or antidote, perhaps) of the insurance industry-friendly cognitive-behavioral, pill-popping school of problem-solving. As depth psychology becomes increasingly disfavored, this book screams out, "Look at the important values we are losing" and makes you think about how that impacts individual development and our cultural evolution. Ya gotta serve somebody, and what complexes are served by cognitive and medicinal solutions?The title of this review is from the first chapter of this book, on fear. "Do not ask this question if you are afraid to find the answer." Hollis, a former humanities scholar, will urge you to choose anxiety over depression, to search for meaning instead of happiness, to adopt a "mature spirituality" that gives voice to the long-dormant gods, and to live an interesting life. Highly recommended.

James Hollis is a modern-day sage, pure and simple. His insight into complicated life matters is impressive. His ability to articulate things, giving it a voice, is fascinating.The book covers various aspects in life and each chapter challenges you to think and get in touch with your psyche. The reading is heavy duty (typical vintage Hollis).Personally I was very touched by the author's comments on how Freud faced death and the fact that he kept smoking cigar despite the cancer.I highly recommend this book for all readers who thirst for what really matter in life--beyond trivialized dogma and partial-truths. Hollis shares many deep views about life, I thought many of these were purely my own (yes I am a deep thinker and a seeker), but I realize that I resonated with Hollis. It's like he read my mind and hand me my thoughts on the white pages.In summary, I will borrow from a comment Freud originally made about cats and say "Time spent with a Hollis book is time well spent!"

If you're looking for simple solutions to your problems, "10 Simple Ways To Experience Enlightenment While Losing Weight and Improving Your Golf Score" and fast-food self-improvement, this is not the book for you.James Hollis is a very wise man. His prose is both simple and profound. He calls on the reader to perform a most difficult, necessary task -- to (p. 39) "review every commitment, every old friendship, every practice, and every summons, and say in a new way, 'I will not serve that which does not serve me.'" In other words, re-consider your entire life so that, instead of serving the ego's needs, you are serving the needs of your soul.I bought this book the first day it went on sale. The act of reading it was like spending time with a brilliant, compassionate friend who loves you more than you love yourself, and who is willing to call you on your worst, most self-destructive qualities in a way that opens the door to healing the wounds that might create new qualities and a better life.Are you ready for a richer, more interesting life? Are you ready to do what's necessary to discover you soul's mission? Mr. Hollis will guide you.I am grateful to this man for sharing his wisdom.

This is a good mid-life crisis book. If you're feeling out of sorts with life, or that you've been chasing the wrong carrot for many years, this is a good book to help you sort out what happened and how to get back on a more appropriate and fulfilling path. Despite the fact that I didn't care for the author's writing style (it seemed to me he was trying to hard to impress the reader with his writing skills), I very much recommend this book. The writer gimmicks are annoying, but they are worth enduring for the content.

good book, difficult to read without a dictionary at hand. it is enlightening and interesting.