Living in The Shadow of Our Fathers

A nonfiction piece about the experience of shame turned toxic and its impact on the psychological and spiritual fate of mankind. This ten-chapter effort intertwines the literary substance of the book with a workbook component, designed to get the reader to move beyond a simple mental and intellectual endeavor and move toward an exercise of personal integration with the material. The experience of shame is universal, a human experience, but an experience that has the potential to turn toxic. Toxic shame can wreak havoc on the psychological development and well-being of the individual. But this author also purports that toxic shame can equally disrupt and damage the spiritual nature of the human experience. When Demons Rush In is a two-pronged approach, both psychological and spiritual, to understanding what this author believes is a devastating reality besieging the individual of our day. Specifically looking at the father-son relationship, the author focuses on this masculine relationship, his own relationship with his father, in a way to bring awareness and credibility to the author's insights into what plagues the fathers, the sons, and the men of our present-day societies. By focusing on shame turned toxic, its roots, its causes, its consequences, the author is seeking to draw attention to what he feels is a monumental threat to the fate of humankind. With special emphasis and focus on the spiritual, the author is challenging the reader to open their minds and hearts to a reality that remains unnoticed and unrecognized. As a first-time author, I have selected a subject to write about, that reflects both my professional and personal experiences. My own personal story is one of shame turned toxic, and as a licensed clinical psychologist, I have witnessed the devastating effects of toxic shame on the individual, their families, and on their communities.