Tales of a Spiritual Sun (2023), a book by practicing Psychologist Dr. Paul Kiritsis, is Greek mythology dressed as Monster Porn. The book is a series of short stories based on ancient Greek myths. The tales are reimagined by Dr. Paul Kiritsis, PsyD in a modern, twisted, psychosexual manner.
Let’s get into it.
Greek Mythology
is something dear to me. Instead of traditional Children’s Literature, my father would read to me stories from Gods, Heroes, And Men Of Ancient Greece: Mythology’s Great Tales of Valor and Romance (1934). Without a doubt, this shaped my vision of how the world works. Because, I am to this day, still a believer in the Dark, Romantic, Hero archetype.
Pygmalion
for example, is twisted into a tale of an Incel sculptor. This sad, sorry man uses his work to engage his sexual desires! The classic story inspired the Academy Award winning play (1914) by George Shaw. Which inspired the Broadway musical My Fair Lady (1956). [That which my mother took me to see when I was ten.] And then eventually the film Pretty Woman (1990). The movie, a Romantic Comedy, is one of the most successful of all time. And which was an adaptation of Roy Orbison’s hit song Oh, Pretty Woman (1964).*
Additionally, “The Pygmalion Effect” is now a psychological, behavioral technique used by teachers and coaches to get students and athletes to upgrade their performance. Briefly, the technique calls for creating higher expectations for the target person. The person then strives (or believes) to meet those high expectations. Because a person of status believes in them. (This technique can backfire.)*
Here’s Kiritsis’ perspective:
“After a brief hiatus of continual energetic thought Pygmalion, he brushed his hand casually over the statue’s pudendum. Blood welled into his manhood like an inflating, jumping castle. He stripped naked, clenched his eyes firmly shut and beat his thick, purpled and vein-coated flesh off with a dozen strokes, rubbing the throbbing head against his lover’s wax vagina and tonguing its salmon-colored lips” (p.72)
Transpersonal Psychology
is an approach to therapy, and overall well-being, that is fairly recent. Schools such as Naropa University and Sofia University specialize in it. The later is where Dr. Kiritsis was educated and got his doctorate. It’s basic premise is that humans are meant to transcend the personal. Moreover, they are actually spirit and one with the universe. Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, Tantra and other practices are taught as a means to the end of contentment, peace, and harmony.
In Conclusion
I’d rate this book as awful, or one star. The writing is terrible as evidenced above. Additionally, the author sprinkles in a lot of large, uncommon words. Such as:
- hermeneutical
- homologous
- propitiate
- conflagration
Along with trite phrases. Such as: a ton of bricks, low life filth, a wee little thing, a bundle of joy, dead in its tracks, lulled to sleep. And on and on. It’s a mess.
And yet – Goodreads has it rated at 4.68 stars with 98 ratings. So, what’s going on?
I think it’s a sign of the times :-). Or, the New Age Movement that grew out of the counter-culture revolution of 60’s and 70’s. As well as the general progression in psychoanalysis, from Freud to Jung to Maslow. Additionally, people just want to feel good about themselves. And thinking positively about yourself and your place in the world can help. As well as physical activity.
Furthermore, a lot of people are making a lot of money in the Field of Mental Health. Not to mention Monster Porn. Sex sells. It always has. Greek mythology dressed as Monster Porn is a clever gimmick. As is – it was all just a dream.
- From the movie. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=f9316834d3b3c7d5&q=oh,+pretty+woman+video&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6jZqX1u6LAxVFATQIHTtpALQQ1QJ6BAhdEAE&biw=1359&bih=598&dpr=1#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8e46b040,vid:FCuPCO-5vu4,st:0 Can you imagine a movie of Kiritsis’ version?
- See Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes (1993). This book is scholarly research and a good critique of The Pygmalion Effect.
Yikes! My Psych-girl is on vacation. Well earned. She just might be underpaid.
Alternatively- that’s what the whiskey is for. Yes? No?
Since you wrote a book about the 2016 election, I wondering why you didn’t write a follow up on 2020 or 2024 for that matter. Your thoughts?
Hi Mark, It’s great to hear from you. Thanks for reading! The short answer is–I’m retired. The nuanced answer is–What’s the point?
1) Not much has changed since 2016. Trump is the same person that I wrote of. And his agenda/platform is also the same. So is the “resistance.” I’d be repeating myself.
2) Writing well is actually really hard. It takes a great deal of time and work.
3) Hardly anyone read ‘Election 2016’ – I spent a great deal of time and money on it.. Additionally, publishing it had great social costs. And health costs to me.
4) I do write about current events here. There’s probably a book in this blog. However, that too would require a lot of work. And there’s simply no reward.
I hope that answers your question. Again, thanks for reading and checking in.
Thanks for that, Mark! I’ve never been into much in the way of porn, and Greek mythology has always confused me. I could never remember who was sleeping with whom. I’ll have to put this one on my reading list!
Hi Rich! Thanks for reading. I think your time would be better spent elsewhere. It’s really twisted, and the writing is awful. It’s hard to understand, not only the Goodreads readers’ response; but the Dr.’s practice as well.
There is such a thing as ‘bad therapy’; and I can’t imagine this doctor actually helping people heal. But then, there is the placebo effect. Which is real.
As for Greek Mythology. It was way before Moses, Jesus, all of any of that.Somewhere between the opening Chapter of my book and the beginnings of organized religions. And yes – it was kind of crazy. Zeus and Thor and all the rest, living up on Mount Olympus. 🙂
My Dad had a great, deep voice. I loved it!