The Human Handbook is the encyclopedia of life, written by the late James Harvey Stout, who generously left his works in the public domain. It introduces you to the foundations of life:

1. Our material life. This includes our relationships, our family, our money, our comforts.
2. Our psychological life. This includes our happiness, our intelligence, our feelings.
3. Our spiritual life. This includes our soul, our understanding of spirit, our reason for being.

This book explores a theory of "archetypal fields," but it will seem familiar to you because it is the basis of regular life. The techniques are the activities which we already perform daily in our normal routine, but now we enhance those activities with the awareness and love which transform them into a creative act by which we develop a personal world which is exciting and fulfilling -- materially, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. (Archetypes are simply "aspects of life." Archetypal fields are the means by which the archetypes operate in our personal life.)

The "unified theory" of archetypal fields is the one explanation which encompasses all of existence. One theory, instead of a separate explanation for each aspect of the psyche. One theory, instead of countless religions and philosophies. One theory, instead of a senseless division between our everyday life and our spiritual practices, between our civilization's world and the natural world, between living beings and non-living substance, between our precious human longings and the ideals of spiritual growth. The unified theory of archetypal fields embraces it all, and makes sense of it all. Now we can really start living.

“The Human Handbook” is several books in one. This site gives you:

• Archetypal Fields ... this is an entire book and includes dozens of chapters of insight regarding psychological health: the ego, the shadow, midlife, self-image, motivation, intuition, stress, power, values, etc. And many chapters regarding the prime topics of religion and philosophy: karma, attachment, etc. Please browse the topics listed below.
• The Book of Dreams ... this is an entire book and has its own table of contents for the 12 chapters.
• Meditation ... this is an entire book and has its own table of contents for the 20 chapters.
• Mythology ... this is an entire book and has its own table of contents for the 3 chapters.

---

Jump to the following letters of the alphabet:
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. Y.  

A

Acceptance and Self-Acceptance. When we accept, we are happier -- and we are more effective in changing the conditions.

Affirmations. See Self-talk.

Aggression. See Assertiveness.

Anima and Animus. The anima is the "feminine" aspect of the psyche in males; the animus is the "masculine" aspect of the psyche in females.

Archetypes. Archetypes are the foundation of our life. An understanding of them is one key to success, happiness, and spiritual fulfillment.

1. Archetypal Fields. These are the fields which record our interactions with archetypes.
2. Archetypal Field-work. These are the techniques by which we improve our archetypal fields.
3. Archetypal Constellations. These are groups of related thoughts, images, energy tones, and physical habits within an archetypal field.
4. Archetypal Cycles. This chapter has a list of many archetypes, with a description. We also explore "archetypal cycles," which are cycles in which archetypes express their various aspects.

As-if Principle. When we act "as if" a condition is true, we help to create that condition.

Assertiveness. This chapter presents ways in which to be assertive, for our success and happiness.

Attachment. Attachment is viewed as an unwanted state, but it is an essential part of life.

B

Brain Lateralization. When we know the difference between the "left brain" and the "right brain," we are happier and more productive. 

C

Collective Unconscious. The collective unconscious is a concept which unites us with other people and with all of creation.

Communication Skills. We can improve our ability to express ourselves, for enjoyment, friendship, and effectiveness.

Complexes. See Archetypal Constellations.

Conscious Mind. We can learn to be more "conscious" and aware in daily activities.

Constellations. See Archetypal Constellations.

Conversation Skills. See Communication Skills.

Cycles. When we perceive the cycles in our life, we can predict many future events, and we can enjoy the opportunities in the inevitable.

D

Death. See Grief. 

Denial. See Repression and Suppression.

Desire. When we understand our cravings as a part of our spiritual experience of life, we use them and learn from them, instead of fighting them.

Directed Imagination. This is the use of the imagination to create the world which we want.

Duality. We can achieve a balance within the "yinyang" of life, and we can be at peace with our many "opposites."

E

Ecology. This chapter explores humanity's place within a world where other creatures have dignity, intelligence, and soulfulness.

Ego. The ego is not the cause of our problems; on the contrary, a healthy ego is necessary for our well-being.

Emotions. When we understand emotions, they add vitality and depth to our experience of life. Also see Energy Toning, Feelings.

Energy Toning. We can choose our emotional responses and our feelings (i.e., our "energy tones") to make our daily experiences more enjoyable and productive.

Evil. We can examine many traditional definitions of evil as we formulate our own viewpoint on this subject.

F

Faith. Faith can help us to explore new possibilities in our life, as long as we differentiate it from "blind faith." Also see Future, Optimism, and Self-confidence  

Fatigue. These techniques can help increase our stamina, and help us to recharge for work and play.

Feelings. When we respect our feelings, they help us to determine what is best for us.

Forgiveness. We forgive for our own benefit -- to reclaim our dignity, our psychological health, and our happiness. Also see Guilt, Judgmentalness.

Free Will. See Will.

Friendship. Friendship is an art and skill which we learn with practice, to enhance all of our relationships.

Future. This chapter explores our future, and our possibilities for creating the specific future in which we will be happy.

G

Goals. These tips for goal-creating help us to plan for success, and to achieve that success.

Grandma Principle. This principle says that we all know the same "truths," but we express them in our own words.

Gratitude. When we are grateful for the things we have, we enhance our enjoyment of life, and we receive more things of value.

Grief. When we understand the grief process, it can be less painful and more productive as we begin to create our new life.

Guilt. Guilt is condemned by some people, but it is merely a neutral alarm-system which informs us that we have violated our values. Also see Forgiveness, Superego, Judgmentalness.

Gurus and Other Teachers. These suggestions will help us to find the best teacher for our personal growth.

H

Habits. We can discard unwanted habits, and create beneficial habits, with the ideas in this chapter. Also see Self-Improvement.

I

Id. According to Freud, the id is the home of our drives and instincts.

Ideals. Ideals are useful in focusing our attention on our goals. Also see Perfectionism, Values.  

Imagery. See Directed Imagination.

Imagination. See Directed Imagination.

Individualilty. See Individuation.

Individuation. In the individuation process, we develop ourselves as unique, special individuals.

Infatuation. See Romantic Love.

Inner Child. We can welcome the inner child, to reclaim the joy and playfulness (and to heal the sorrows) which we experienced long ago. 

Instinct. Instinct is a guiding mechanism for animals -- and also for humans, who can benefit from instinct's suggestions.

Intellect. The chapter views the intellect's strengths and weaknesses, and it compares intellect with intuition.

Intuition. Intuition is the "hunches" which can guide us through life -- materially and spiritually.

J

Judgmentalness. When we judge someone, we must commit the same action for which we have judged that person. This chapter explains the process. Also see Forgiveness, Guilt, Superego.

Jung, Carl. This is a brief biography of Jung, with a collection of quotes.

K

Karma. Karma is based on the contents of our archetypal fields. Thus, archetypal field-work gives us a new way of resolving our past debts and creating the future which we want.

Kindness. We make a happier world for ourselves and other people through our "acts of kindness."

L

Loneliness. We can find value in our periods of aloneness, and we can also end those periods by re-connecting with people.

M

Meaning. When our life has meaning, we have more strength, determination, and joy.

Mercy. See Forgiveness.

Midlife. Midlife does not have to be a "crisis"; it is a time of exciting changes and new adventures.

Motivation. We can sort out the conflicting motivations within ourselves, to find the drives which will carry us toward success.

N

Niceness. We can recognize the times when we need to be "nice"; however, sometimes niceness is dishonest and destructive.

O

Oneness. We can enhance our sense of oneness, to experience one of the greatest pleasures in life. Also see Wholeness.

Optimism. Optimism boosts our motivation, our outlook, and our success. Also see Faith, Future, and Self-Confidence.

P

Perfectionism. Perfectionism is an unattainable ideal which wastes our time and resources. This chapter offers alternatives which allow happiness and higher productivity. Also see Ideals, Virtue.

Persona. The persona is the "mask" which we wear in public. We can develop a persona which allows self-expression and self-fulfillment.

Philosophy of James Harvey Stout. Who am I? What are the personal beliefs of the man who wrote this book?

Play. See Pleasure and Play.

Pleasure and Play. Pleasure is our natural state. We don't create it; we get out of its way and give it permission to radiate from inside.

Positive Thinking. See Optimism and Future.

Power. When we use power as "stewardship," we accomplish our goals without creating damage and backlashes. 

Pride. See Ego.

Problem-solving. With these techniques, problem-solving is an opportunity to assert control in our life.

Projection. When we "project" our faults, we mistakenly believe that other people have our faults. If we reclaim our projections, we perceive ourselves and other people more clearly.

Q

Quotes. These are dozens of quotes regarding insight, spirituality, and life.

R

Relaxation. Relaxation is a skill; we learn how to release tension, and how to let the mind shift into a mode of the right hemisphere.

Repression and Suppression. We can use repression and suppression to protect ourselves when our problems are overwhelming.

Responsibility. See Karma.

Revenge. See Forgiveness.

Right-Brain Theory. See Brain Lateralization.

Romantic Love. Romance can have a delightful place in dating and in a loving relationship, if we do not mistake romantic infatuation for love.

S

Self (Jung's Definition). When we encounter the Self, we know the totality of the psyche, including all of the parts, such as the ego, etc.

Self-acceptance. See Acceptance and Self-Acceptance.

Self-concept. See Self-image.

Self-confidence. When we are self-confident, we are more productive, because we pursue tasks without the distractions of doubt and fear. Also see Faith.  

Self-esteem. This chapter offers some fresh ideas regarding self-esteem, so that we can feel better about ourselves.

Self-image. A well-constructed self-image is an important part of a healthy ego and a dynamic presence.

Self-improvement. We can use these techniques to improve ourselves while simultaneously loving ourselves as we are. Also see Habits.

Self-love. When we know that self-love is not the same as vanity or selfishness, we increase our love for ourselves and for other people.

Self-talk. We continually interpret our circumstances into words. Those words affect our viewpoints and experiences. When we improve our self-talk, we improve our personal world in many ways.

Shadow. The shadow contains everything which is not claimed in the ego: our hidden desires, our repressed urges -- and some of our greatest treasures.

Stress. Stress can be managed, so that we feel better and we accomplish more. This chapter gives many tips.

Success. Success is more than the attainment of a single goal; it is a way of life.

Suffering. When we understand the difference between pain and suffering, we experience less suffering and more joy.

Superego. According to Freud, the superego is the home of our conscience and the ideals which we hold for ourselves. Also see Guilt, Judgmentalness.

Superstition. Some of our beliefs are mere superstitions. This chapter examines the phenomenon of superstition.

Suppression. See Repression and Suppression.

Synchronicity. More than just coincidences, synchronous events are one way by which we learn about the world around us.

T

Tao. The tao is analogous to "spirit"; this study of the tao helps us to understand the dynamics of spirit.

Typology. When we understand the various "types" of people, we understand the individuals more easily.

U

Unconscious Mind. The unconscious mind (i.e., subconscious mind) is one of our greatest resources if we know how to use its resources.

Unity. See Oneness.

V

Values. Values are a dynamic guiding mechanism in our life. We can create the values which will guide us in a fruitful direction. Also see Ideals.

Vanity. See Ego.

Virtue. Virtues are guidelines in our behavior, but they can mislead us if we do not balance them with our own needs. Also see Values, Ideals, Perfectionism.

Vision Quest. The vision quest is an ancient tradition for self-discovery. We can do a vision quest even in modern society.

Visualization. See Directed Imagination.

W

Wholeness. Wholeness means that we accept all parts of ourselves, for peace and self-actualization. Also see Oneness.

Will. Will is based on simple choices, not on the battleground of "willpower."

Willpower. See Will.

Worry. Worry is our attempt to solve problems. But we can find other means which are more effective and emotionally pleasant.

Y

Yinyang. See Duality. 

Please note: This book is based primarily on the concept of archetypes, as they relate to every aspect of life. In order to understand the book, ideally read the following chapters first: Archetypes. Archetypal Fields.   Archetypal Field-work.  Of course, if you prefer to read other chapters first, feel free to do so. You may return to these three chapters later.