The Other Man in Me

"The Other Man in Me" is the story of one man's journey to reconcile his two lives—one, a respectable husband, father, church, and community leader; the other, caught in brief same-sex encounters. Drawing from his dreams, fantasies and extensive research, Sheldon discovers the symbolic and spiritual meanings of his erotic longings and same-sex attractions. On that journey he discovers another man living in his soul—a man that connects him to the meaning and purpose of his life. This book will open you to deep places in your soul and help you discover your own meaning.

The Other Man in Me is the story of one man's journey to understand his bi-sexuality and how to reconcile his two selves—one attracted to women and one attracted to men and the responsible husband, father, church and community leader and the one caught in brief same-sex encounters. Drawing from both personal and archetypal material presented in his dreams and fantasies, and from extensive research into same-sex motifs found in mythology and in customs and rituals of some indigenous societies, The Other Man in Me tells the story of the discovery the symbolic and spiritual meanings of same-sex attractions. As a result of his journey into his inner world, Shalley met another man living in his soul, one that connected him to the meaning of his own same-sex attractions and to the meaning and purpose of his life. This "Other Man" connected Shalley to an ancient masculine in his own soul, a sacred masculine that is one with the feminine, not ruling over her, but one with her, co-equals, two spirits living in unity and harmony, co-creators in the dance of life—the soul's calling. The Other Man in Me opens a man to deep places in his soul—places that can assist him in finding his way when faced with conflicts on how to live with same-sex desires in a manner that is congruent with his own established priorities and the meaning of his individual life. Irrespective of how a man chooses to live his same-sex desires and attractions, whether that be in brief sexual encounters, in a loving relationship or as an inner relationship with the masculine within, The Other Man in Me invites you to listen to the longings of an ancient man who longs for us to live in harmony with all that is.

Sheldon Shalley, MA, MSW, is a psychotherapist, licensed clinical social worker, educator, artist and shamanic practitioner. Raised in an evangelical minister's home, Shalley's desire to reconcile his traditional religious training with his non-traditional sexuality thrust him into the study of his dreams, various spiritual traditions, philosophy, psychology and eventually shamanism and energy medicine. His personal psycho-sexual-spiritual journey and work as a psychotherapist have given him direct experience with healing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual wounds of human suffering. Shalley leads dream groups and shaman circles, presents workshops on dreams, sexuality and spirituality, shamanism, and art. He earned his master's degree in social work from Indiana University. He lives in Noblesville, Indiana, with his wife of over 50 years, They have two children and two grandchildren. Sheldon is in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana.