The Power of Myth
“You may find that, with a proper introduction, mythology will catch you."
“We tell stories to try to come to terms with the world, to harmonize our lives with reality.”
“We tell stories to try to come to terms with the world, to harmonize our lives with reality.”
Introduction
“The secret cause of all suffering is morality itself, which is the prime condition of life. It cannot be denied if life is to be affirmed.”
Most of us don't realize that “all these Greek gods and stuff” are not irrelevant today. The remnants of these “line the walls of our interior system of belief”.
Of Joseph Campbell:
“He taught, as great teachers teach, by example…. Preachers err by trying to talks people into belief; better they reveal the radiance of their own discovery.”
The guiding idea of his work was to find common themes in world myths. “He wants to know what it means that God assumes such different masks in different cultures, yet how it is that comparable stories can be found in these different traditions – stories of creations, virgin births, incarnations, death and resurrection, second comings, and judgment days.”
“Myths are clues to our deepest spiritual potential, able to lead us to delight, illumination, and even rapture.”
Most of us don't realize that “all these Greek gods and stuff” are not irrelevant today. The remnants of these “line the walls of our interior system of belief”.
Of Joseph Campbell:
“He taught, as great teachers teach, by example…. Preachers err by trying to talks people into belief; better they reveal the radiance of their own discovery.”
The guiding idea of his work was to find common themes in world myths. “He wants to know what it means that God assumes such different masks in different cultures, yet how it is that comparable stories can be found in these different traditions – stories of creations, virgin births, incarnations, death and resurrection, second comings, and judgment days.”
“Myths are clues to our deepest spiritual potential, able to lead us to delight, illumination, and even rapture.”
Chapter 1
Myth and The Modern World
Why myths? Why should we care?
“You may find that, with a proper introduction, mythology will catch you.” Myths give us an opportunity to see our real life (and our spiritual life).
Before universities used to teach mythology, but now it is lost.
“When the story is in your mind, then you see its relevance to something happening in your own life. It gives you perspective on what’s happening to you.”
This information (myths) have supported human life, built civilizations, and informed religions. They have to do with deep inner problems and mysteries.
“We tell stories to try to come to terms with the world, to harmonize our lives with reality.”
The only way you can describe a human truly is by his imperfections.
On myths:
“We’re so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget that the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being a live, is what its all about.”
Why myths? Why should we care?
“You may find that, with a proper introduction, mythology will catch you.” Myths give us an opportunity to see our real life (and our spiritual life).
Before universities used to teach mythology, but now it is lost.
“When the story is in your mind, then you see its relevance to something happening in your own life. It gives you perspective on what’s happening to you.”
This information (myths) have supported human life, built civilizations, and informed religions. They have to do with deep inner problems and mysteries.
“We tell stories to try to come to terms with the world, to harmonize our lives with reality.”
The only way you can describe a human truly is by his imperfections.
- Perfection is boring. The imperfect human is interesting.
- Perfection would be inhuman, we don't know of anyone who is imperfect.
- Imperfection is lovable. This is why we love little kids.
On myths:
- What human beings have in common is revealed in myths.
- “Myths are stories for our search through the ages for truth, for meaning, for significance.... We need live to signify, to touch the eternal, to understand the mysterious, to find out who we are.” We seek an experience of being alive.
- “Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.”
- Myths teach you that you can turn inwards. Myth helps you with the experience of being alive.
- Myths convey morals and values, rituals. We now live in a demytholized world. That is why there is violence, etc.
- They come from every culture but with timeless themes.
- Mythology teaches you about your own life. They have to do with a new role you are in, leaving one part and joining another.
- They are the worlds deems. they are archetypal dreams and deal with great human problems. Myths show you how to respond to things that happen in life.
- "Mythology is the song. It is the song of the imagination, inspired by the energies of then body."
“We’re so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget that the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being a live, is what its all about.”
In our modern day, we need myths that identify the individual with the planet, not just a certain group.
The model for this is the US
The individual has to find an aspect of myth that relates to his own life.
Myths functions:
Myths come from realizations that have to find expression in a symbolic form.
“Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
The model for this is the US
- 13 colonies decided to act on mutual interest, without disregarding the individual interests
- the first nation in the world to be established be reason and not warfare.
The individual has to find an aspect of myth that relates to his own life.
Myths functions:
- Mystical function: realizing the wonder of the universe, the wonder you are, experiencing awe before this.
- Cosmological dimension: showing you the shape of the universe.
- Sociological function: supporting and validating a social order.
- Pedagogical function: how to live a human lifetime under any circumstances.
Myths come from realizations that have to find expression in a symbolic form.
“Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
Chapter 2
The Journey Inward
“These myths speak to me because they express what I know inside is true.”
Whether you are living in NY or in a cave, you go through the same stages of life:
“Its as though the same play were taken from one place to another, and at each place the local players put on local costumes and enact the same play.”
Difference between myth and dream:
Myth – public dream
Dream – private dream
“These myths speak to me because they express what I know inside is true.”
Whether you are living in NY or in a cave, you go through the same stages of life:
- Childhood
- Sexual maturity
- Manhood/womanhood
- Failure of the body
- Loss of powers
- Death
“Its as though the same play were taken from one place to another, and at each place the local players put on local costumes and enact the same play.”
Difference between myth and dream:
Myth – public dream
Dream – private dream
The Genesis connects to:
The bible usually states that life if corrupt, and every natural impulse is sin.
In other traditions the Garden of Eden and the serpent are looked at as good things. Which give birth to our actual life. (woman represents life. Man only enters life through the woman)
Humans always think in opposites:
Man – woman Good – evil Life – death
We cant think otherwise.
Explaining similarities in myths:
“I think of mythology as the homeland of the muses, the inspirers of art, the inspirers of poetry. To see life as a poem and yourself participating in a poem is what the myth does for you.”
Myth is for spiritual instruction.
“The myth comes from the imagination, and leads back to it.” But symbols don't give you the experience, they suggest it, pin pointing were you should look.
Myths are a way for people who have had experience to project it.
- Prima indians of Arizona
- Hindu Upnishads
- Bassari of West Africa
The bible usually states that life if corrupt, and every natural impulse is sin.
In other traditions the Garden of Eden and the serpent are looked at as good things. Which give birth to our actual life. (woman represents life. Man only enters life through the woman)
Humans always think in opposites:
Man – woman Good – evil Life – death
We cant think otherwise.
Explaining similarities in myths:
- The human psyche is the same all over the world. Psyche = the experience of the human body.
- Historical and psychological aspects of problems are similar or the same.
“I think of mythology as the homeland of the muses, the inspirers of art, the inspirers of poetry. To see life as a poem and yourself participating in a poem is what the myth does for you.”
Myth is for spiritual instruction.
“The myth comes from the imagination, and leads back to it.” But symbols don't give you the experience, they suggest it, pin pointing were you should look.
Myths are a way for people who have had experience to project it.
Chapter 3
The First Story Tellers
Ancient myths are meant to harmonize mind and body. Sometimes our mind wants one thing and our body another.
Throughout myths, animals have been as something magical, something sacred; as a “thou” not at “it”. (all except the bible)
“You can address anything as a “thou”, and if you do it, you can feel the change in your own psychology.”
Something amazing to think about when seeing ancient painting, or creations (such as a pyramid):
“The form is secondary. The message is what is important.”
“With respect to ritual, it must be kept alive. So much of our ritual is dead. It’s extremely interesting to read of the primitive elementary cultures – how they transform the folk tales, the myth, all the time in terms of the circumstances.”
“This is the mythological way of being an individual. You are the central mountain, and the central mountain is everywhere.”
Ancient myths are meant to harmonize mind and body. Sometimes our mind wants one thing and our body another.
Throughout myths, animals have been as something magical, something sacred; as a “thou” not at “it”. (all except the bible)
“You can address anything as a “thou”, and if you do it, you can feel the change in your own psychology.”
Something amazing to think about when seeing ancient painting, or creations (such as a pyramid):
- What was in their minds when they created it?
- How did they do it?
- How did they manage to get the materials?
- By what were they inspired?
“The form is secondary. The message is what is important.”
“With respect to ritual, it must be kept alive. So much of our ritual is dead. It’s extremely interesting to read of the primitive elementary cultures – how they transform the folk tales, the myth, all the time in terms of the circumstances.”
“This is the mythological way of being an individual. You are the central mountain, and the central mountain is everywhere.”
Chapter 4
Sacrifice and Bliss
There is a relationship between the land and the structures built on it.
“All of these different mythologies give us the same essential quest.”
There is a relationship between the land and the structures built on it.
“All of these different mythologies give us the same essential quest.”
“Why do we like to talk about these things again? Because it puts us back in touch with the essential archetypology of our spiritual life. Going through a ritual day after day keeps you on the line.”
“So we have the same story springing up in cultures unrelated to each other. What does that say about it?” – “That is one of the amazing things about myths. I have been dealing with this stuff all my life, and I am still stunned by the accuracies of the repetitions. Its almost like a reflex in another medium of the same thing, the same story.”
“Life is pain, but compassion is what gives it the possibility of continuing.”
“You may have successes in life, but then just think of it – what kind of life was it? What good was it – you've never done anything you wanted to do in all your life.”
“We are having experiences all the time which may on occasion render some sense of this, a little intuition of where you bliss is. Grab it. No one can tell you what it is going to be. You have to learn to recognize your own depth.” Bliss is now, not when you die. “Follow you bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.”
“So we have the same story springing up in cultures unrelated to each other. What does that say about it?” – “That is one of the amazing things about myths. I have been dealing with this stuff all my life, and I am still stunned by the accuracies of the repetitions. Its almost like a reflex in another medium of the same thing, the same story.”
“Life is pain, but compassion is what gives it the possibility of continuing.”
“You may have successes in life, but then just think of it – what kind of life was it? What good was it – you've never done anything you wanted to do in all your life.”
“We are having experiences all the time which may on occasion render some sense of this, a little intuition of where you bliss is. Grab it. No one can tell you what it is going to be. You have to learn to recognize your own depth.” Bliss is now, not when you die. “Follow you bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.”
Chapter 5
The Hero's Adventure
Why are there many hero stories in mythology? Because it is someone who has found or done something beyond the normal range of achievements and experience.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
Why are there many hero stories in mythology? Because it is someone who has found or done something beyond the normal range of achievements and experience.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
Basic motif of the universal hero:
The trials that the hero passes are designed to see that he really is a hero.
Morality of heroism:
There is a difference between fairy tales and myths:
“Religion begins with the sense of wonder and awe and the attempt to tell stories that will connect us to God. Then it becomes a set of theological works in which everything is reduced to a code, a creed.”
Mythology gives us many versions of the same mystery. Religion only shows us one way in which to behave.
“You don't have to believe that there was a King Arthur to get the significance of those stories, but Christians say that we have to believe there was a Christ, or the miracles don't make sense.”
“As a child in school, you’re always doing what you’re told to do, and so you count the days to your holidays since that's when you’re going to be yourself.” Mythology can help you get in touch with yourself.
- Leaving one condition and finding the source of life to bring you forth into a richer or more mature condition.
The trials that the hero passes are designed to see that he really is a hero.
Morality of heroism:
- The hero sacrifices himself for something.
There is a difference between fairy tales and myths:
- Myths – have to do with living life in terms of the order of society and nature.
- Fairy tales – use the same motifs but are purely entertainment.
“Religion begins with the sense of wonder and awe and the attempt to tell stories that will connect us to God. Then it becomes a set of theological works in which everything is reduced to a code, a creed.”
Mythology gives us many versions of the same mystery. Religion only shows us one way in which to behave.
“You don't have to believe that there was a King Arthur to get the significance of those stories, but Christians say that we have to believe there was a Christ, or the miracles don't make sense.”
“As a child in school, you’re always doing what you’re told to do, and so you count the days to your holidays since that's when you’re going to be yourself.” Mythology can help you get in touch with yourself.