The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling

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.