Rise, The Four Elementals: Lead Yourself to a Life of Courage, Truth, Creativity, and Love by Awakening the Wisdom Within

What if, inside every one of us, are four 'superheroes' that we can call on in troubled times to help us find calmness and happiness no matter how tough things get? What if we could learn how to tap into the unique superpowers that each superhero has-courage, truth, creativity, and love-by waking up wisdom and warriorship that lies dormant within each of us? What if we can become leaders in our own lives by using these powers to break through any obstacle and so snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?



This is the start-point for an illustrated adventure-created for all teenagers, and all those who have been teenagers-into what it means to become everyday leaders that rise to their own inimitable challenges and, in doing so, lead themselves to a life full of meaning, healing, well-being, belonging-and triumph!



Originally conceived as a way of transmitting vital wisdom for thriving in life and love from the author to his much-loved teenage son, the project expanded into an epic prose poem dedicated to all those who are struggling with very real challenges that are the hallmark of living in our stressful yet possibility-filled world-particularly young adults dealing with record levels of anxiety, depression, and addiction-as well as all those who want to set up as a leader in their life by awakening their own wisdom within and so shapes their destiny according to their own truth, values, and different forms of intelligence.



The profound yet practical and playful ideas within the book draw on the work of legendary psychologist Carl G. Jung and the pioneering psychoanalysts and mythologists James Hillman, Robert Moore, Joseph Campbell, and Jean Bolen. The author, who studied medicine at Cambridge University and at UCL, integrates insights from cutting-edge neuroscience about crucial neural networks, complete with complex cocktails of neurotransmitters and hormones, that have evolved over millions of years to give each of us genius ways to deal with the different kinds of problems we encounter in life.



Part 1 introduces the concept of psychological archetypes and the four elementals in the book: the Champion (courage and strength), the Commander (truth and intellect), the Creator (imagination and inventiveness), and the Connector (love and compassion).



Part 2 goes into the superpowers of each of these elementals and how to use them to thrive in life, not despite our problems but because we break through them using these strengths. The author also points out the weak spots, or 'shadow' side of each elemental, including 'addictions' and 'allergies' that can trap even the smartest of us in self-sabotaging habits that diminish ourselves and others.



Part 3 completes the book by suggesting how we can balance the four elementals within to lead ourselves to wellbeing and wisdom, happiness and inner peace, great friendships, a supportive community with a sense of belonging, loving relationships, a meaningful and purpose-led career, and making a difference to our troubled world.



The big ideas within are richly brought to life, in the style of a graphic novel, with innovative illustrations. There are many practical exercises to engage in that aim to turn ideas into inner wisdom and inspiration into action.