A Society of Siblings

By: Robert Bly

Narrated by: Michael Toms

This key figure in the American men's movement long ago brought our attention to our failure to initiate young people into adult society. "We're substituting Prozac for depth psychology," Bly warns. Characterized by petty rivalries, self-indulgence and lack of responsibility, our actions fail to fulfill what Bly describes as our true soul longing. With characteristic irreverence and colorful storytelling from various cultures, Bly tells us what we should be doing about green-haired adolescents and idle elders, not to mention televisions and computers. His original, insightful focus illuminates the harsh truths and inspiring possibilities of a culture caught in an adolescent phase of development - and possibly ready to move beyond it. Poet, translator and teacher, Bly is the author of many books including Light Around the Body (Harper & Row 1967), Loving a Woman In Two Worlds (Dial 1985), Man In the Black Coat Turns (Harper & Row 1982), The Winged Energy of Delight: Selected Translations (Harper Perenniel 2005), My Sentence Was a Thousand Years of Joy: Poems (Harper Perennial 2006). He is also author of Iron John (Addison-Wesley 1990) and The Sibling Society (Addison-Wesley 1996).

Topics explored in this dialogue include: the sibling concept as a new way to understand modern society, a new and different take on "Jack and the Beanstalk", television and the reptilian brain, the crocodile and the horse in psychotherapy, what to say to a teenager with green hair, how not to "waste our elders", the trouble with Timothy Leary and Benjamin Franklin, how the United States is "colonizing" itself, dealing with "the rage of the unparented", a tongue-in-cheek cure for television and computer addiction, and the snake who was thrown out the window.

©1996 New Dimensions Foundation (P)2008 New Dimensions Foundation

Relevant

This is very useful for understanding how we and our culture got to where we are now and some ideal for providing for deep un-addressed needs.

Fantastic

This 1996 interview with Robert Bly and Michael Toms was fantastic. What an interesting mind Mr. Bly has. I appreciated his story telling too. Helped flesh out his ideas and opinions. Michael Toms was a great host. Highly recommend this talk especially now in 2023 given where we are at in the current culture. Especially may be helpful to the young people. Whether you lean Left or Right or somewhere in the Middle politically, etc., this talk may give you some insight to consider. Peace!

Rip off

this is not the book but a 40min interview with Robert bly. Propably a mistake by audible.