The Wizard of Us: Transformational Lessons from Oz

by Jean Houston

Take the journey of a lifetime with Human Potential visionary Jean Houston as she guides you through mythic Oz to become an essential human for the new world.

Learn how to expand your mind, open your heart, and find the courage to connect with your own life journey with The Wizard of Us , an accessible guide to help you envision the world as you choose to create it.

With specific and easily understandable exercises and epiphanies, The Wizard of Us harkens to the classic tale and defines the hero’s journey through the skills and internal qualities that live within each of us. If you are seeking a creative exploration of self-understanding, realization, and improvement you will find a connection to the larger world story as you explore Oz like never before. “There’s no place like home” is the call to a profound journey of self-discovery and untapped potential. Dorothy’s journey through a magical land is the key to your own inner-life’s journey and toward becoming the essential human you were always meant to be.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Psychology, Book Club

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2012

About the author

Jean Houston, PhD, is a renowned teacher, philosopher, and scholar and was one of the creators of the human potential movement. With a remarkable list of colleagues and mentors that includes Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, Helen Keller, and Buckmister Fuller, Houston shares her profound wisdom through engaging, firsthand accounts. With PhDs in both psychology and spirituality, Houston has worked in the field of social artistry and in over 100 countries and 40 cultures. As a consultant to the United Nations and other international agencies, she has created many programs offering training and solutions to cultural and social problems. She has written several dozen books, won numerous awards, and has been a professor at universities in the United States.

Reviews

[Jess Freher-Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean is a provocateur of ideas, saying things like: "For the first time in human history the genius of the human race is available for all to harvest." She then proceeds to the harvesting not only of history's genius, but of our lifelong dreams for greater purpose in our lives, helping people create roadmaps to a more satisfying future...
I've attended many of Jean's events along the way and this book is an extended riff joyfully sorting through Jean's entire cosmology. She skillfully uses myth as metaphor for elevating our everyday lives, and in this case the story she improvises from is the Wizard of Oz, morphing it into a much larger and even global context.
Her unique talent for synthesizing and re-telling stories with new hooks and eyes to create present day parables for teaching potent new ways of visioning this life - the one we're all sharing - this playful and profound gift of hers is on full display in this truly enjoyable assessment of our time.

[Mystery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, for someone who doesn't know the story of the Wizard of Oz, I'm glad I got to know the story. I also liked some of the deduced lessons and the idea of being a superhero for yourself and for the world. But on the down side, the book put me to sleep often and I felt the last chapter was repeating itself over and over.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved most of this book. It's a nice summary of Campbell's Journey of the Hero and uses one of my favorite stories, The Wizard of Oz, to illuminate the major hero stages. It's an easy read (especially for those already familiar with her work) and covers a lot of ground on transformation of the individual and the collective. I find Jean Houston's writing fluid and elegant, and her desire to help the world shift its consciousness is nicely presented. Houston has a gift for noting the shifts in perception that need to happen in order for our human species (and our planet) to survive. I felt transcended by the exercises, even though I was annoyed with their simplicity at first. All in all, I found this book to be a wonderful recap of Houston's (and Campbell's) deeper teachings with an inspiring use of Dorothy's journey in Oz. We all have ruby slippers inside us.

[MaryBeth]

I had to skip over some parts but loved what I do read. On the recommendation of my son, I am following this up with The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell.

[Brittany Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a whole lotta fluff in this book.

I was expecting this book to expand on the cultural significance of The Wizard of Oz and while it certainly does- the author goes of on many unrelated tangents about the political state of the world today, meditation practices, and 'personal processes.' While I didn't mind the self help portion of this book, I do admit I skipped most of the process portions as I did not intend to read a self help book.

Overall I enjoyed the on-topic deconstruction of the rhetorical Oz but I could have used more of that instead of the extra 30+ pages about unrelated topics combed into the story.

[Stephanie Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through Houston’s skillful writing, she delves into the themes of self-discovery, courage, and the power of imagination, inviting readers to reflect on their own personal journeys. With subtle nuances and intriguing interpretations, she adds layers of meaning to the classic tale (using the movie version of The Wizard of Oz for The Wizard of Us) enriching the reader’s experience and leaving them pondering long after the final page is turned.

[Mitchell Mednick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to really motivate you to find your best self. The metaphor of the Wizard of Oz story is a brilliant way of highlighting the qualities we sometimes feel we lack. Jean Houston manages to help you believe that we too can embody and express our best selves in this world. Highly recommended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, fun, thought provoking, exercises at the end of each chapter to deepen the integration. Excellent!

[Chrystee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every word.

An engaging read and wonderful. I know I will read this again and take something different away from it each time.

[Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mythically inspirational, a call for a higher self, an empowered vision and an altered view of self, life and the universe. Perfect empowering book to end 2018 and start a new year.

[Dt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting points made throughout the book. Points you can apply to items today.

[Theremin Poisoning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially relevant to a person who grew up on the movie.

[J.L. Vasche · Rating 5 out of 5]

She uses The Wizard of Oz to demonstrate that our lives have a deeper sense of purpose.

[Isabelle Stemper · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful perspective + inspirational lessons but very repetitive, especially towards the end of the book.

[Jenn Sarich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative, inspiring and meaningful. The book made me reminiscent of my childhood and watching the wizard of oz while at the same time looking at the film/story in a whole new, powerful way. It involves tasks to get you focused and the main objective is to have you living a more purposeful life. I love the mantra of this book: it’s all within you!

[Mary B · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read. We are living in the most unique time in history…..

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't be more please with a book that seeks to explain human behavior. Jean Houston gives us exciting insights into our own trials and tribulations and how we are able to manage all that comes at us. Before The Wizard of Oz became readily available for watching at will, it was shown on TV once a year around Thanksgiving time. It was a major event at our house with my three children to watch together. Everyone can still recite every part 40 years later. Jean Houston is genius to take this beloved tale to a deeper part of our hearts. The visuals of Dorothy as she meets friend or foe and makes it to the Emerald City gives great promise to the human spirit. There truly is "no place like home" when we return anew having made it through our own dark and spooky haunted forest. Bravo Ms Houston. And thank you.

[Lourdes Cambridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I HAVE DEFINATELY READ MERLIN/MERLINA, THE WIZARD OF US...IN OZ. HOUSTON...WE HAVE A PROBLEM...E...D...AND E...R...AND E...H...R.! JEAN HOUSTON HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENDORSE MERILYN TUNNESHENDE WHEN HER FIRST BOOK WAS BEING PUBLISHED BY HAMPTON HOUSE. SHE WAS AFRAID...BECAUSE OF INNUENDO REGARDING CARLOS CASTANEDA. NOW THAT ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN OUTTED BY THE BBC...W.H.O. MD...AND MERILYN HAS BEEN PROVEN ACCURATE...I AM CERTAIN THAT BOTH SHE AND DEEPAK REGRET THEIR LESS THAN SUPPORTIVE BOOK BACKING. REGISTER THIS...DO THE MATH. THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS BEST. SO FROM THE SOURCE...BY BUY THE BOOK...THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT...GO THIS WAY.

[Linda Zercoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read using the Wizard of Oz as an example of the Hero's journey ala Joseph Campbell. Dorothy and her companions are related to an individual's life--the life of a hero definitely and even possibly perceived in their own life. This book is an invitation presented in a delightful way.

I highly recommend this book for an introduction to the work of a Master Teacher of our times - Jean Houston. I highly recommend Jean in all her works and courses. She has had a great impact on my life.

[Jason McKinney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first Jean Houston book, but I have to say that it's pretty standard in terms of the teachings that it espouses. These ideals are transformative and new for the novice, but for a seasoned reader of this kind of thought system, these are very familiar. Her premise (using the Wizard of Oz -- the film version -- to illustrate them) is innovative, but the concepts themselves have been illustrated many times before. Not a bad book, but not an incredibly fresh perspective either.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Houston is deep, but extracts the spiritual nature of the story in a very friendly manner. We all know that the allegory and metaphor of the Oz story is wide-ranging in application -including to the LGBT community, but this is the best I've read as a complete spiritual construct. The book is very aligned with my personal beliefs, but it also opened some unique new ways of looking at some attributes of the story.

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Jean Houston. I enjoyed it. Many good insights shared. Going over the storyline of WOZ was a bit repetitive for me, as was the references to Joseph Campbell. However, I realize they were needed for those not as familiar. I especially loved the last chapter, the 13 steps to take to activate your journey and reach your goals. This book is a wonderful tool to jump start an awakening.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great book, however, the time I read it I was not able to focus because of so many other things going on in my life. I will be re-reading this after I my husband and I get moved. Just too much going on right now to really focus!

[Dana Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped me through a challenging time--very thought provoking!

[Sudha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read many books of this nature and found this one rather basic knowledge. The author did do a clever job of weaving in The Wizard of Oz story. I enjoyed A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle much more!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a major fan of The Wizard of Oz, this book was wonderful. I will never view the movie in quite the same way now.

[Angelica Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Jean Houston's writing and her mind. This was a book circle choice, and it gave us a lot to talk about and to think about!

[Radell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book. Jean Houston really can see the future and what we need to get us there. My new favorite movie .. Wizard of Oz!

[William Gladstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that everyone should read to improve their life and get in touch with their inner self.

[JP]

It's a real shame to read this book from such a good author
Author wrote this book for the sake of writing to cheat the reader
This book contain one fairytale and few of the best book in her library, and some quote
and she made useless combination of above to finish the book
Very bad!!