It has become very popular in the minds of doctors,
parents, teachers, and community leaders to wave the “Neuroses” banner at the
first sign of behavior that does not fit snugly into the narrow confines of
consensual reality, or The Norm, as the square in his cubicle, teeth freshly
white-stripped, might say. This followed by pills and labyrinthine therapy
sessions that can confuse and discourage as often as help. This followed by
chasing the white rabbit down one pseudo-rabbit hole after another.
Dr. James Hillman holds that diagnosis, therapy, and
prescription drugs fail us because of their singular approach: behavior and
neuroses directly stem from childhood and genetics—nature and nurture. What
experts are missing, according to Dr. Hillman, is the overwhelming evidence
that there is something more, something that seems to hold precedence over both
nature and nurture. This spark of Something is variously called daimon, soul,
genius, holy guardian angel, among other things. The daimon is not only present
at birth, it is there before birth. Unlike most conceptions of “soul” the
daimon retains a level of existence separate from the human it accompanies. The
daimon makes its presence known in gentle pushes felt from time to time, in
tragedies, in moments of inspiration, in insights into being and character that
seem to rise above conscious knowledge of one’s self.
It is the daimon, the soul, the genius that calls
out to us, driving us through impulses and hints to the destiny that is ours to
take for our own from the day we are born. Manifestation of the daimon in the
physical universe may raise questions as to its intentions. For instance,
children who are already in their youth compelled by their daimon toward their
destiny may act out in accord with the frustration arising from inability or
parental dominion. Even the actions of serial killers can be understood through
the framework of this theory, as an impressive capacity for action might be
viewed as misdirected and therefore can be “cured”. Because the theory has such
implications, this book is a must read for parents and civic leaders, in my
opinion.
But as yet I have not given this theory Hillman’s
preferred title. He refers to the notion of the daimon and its presence in the
lives of every living man, woman, and child as the acorn theory. Latent within
the acorn is the majestic oak, and within the core of all humans resides a
comparable acorn, the daimon, adventitiously making itself known from time to
time by way of insights and pushes, guiding every individual to his ultimate
calling and destiny. This book has totally changed my conception of myself and
my potential for change and self-molding.
