In today's world of the past-paced now, yesterday is already far away and the deep past often finds itself consigned into irrelevant oblivion.
In some cases, we may still remember the heroes' names: Aeneas, Calf Shirt, Finn MacCool, King Arthur, Gwion Bach, Herakles, Moses, Odysseus, Psyche, Theseus. But if we have forgotten their stories, then we are missing essential guidance for this very moment and all of our tomorrows.
Pathways to Bliss: Mythology and Personal Transformation, by Joseph Campbell, published this month by New World Library will help us connect the dots.
Publisher's description:
One of the basic functions of myth, contends Joseph Campbell, is to help each individual through the journey of life, providing a travel guide to reach fulfillment — a map to discover “bliss.” In Pathways to Bliss, Campbell once again draws on his masterly gift of storytelling to apply the larger themes of world mythology to personal growth and transformation. Looking at the more personal, psychological side of myth, he begins to dwell on life’s more important questions — those that are often submerged beneath the frantic activity of our daily life. With characteristic wit and insight, he draws connections between ancient symbols and modern art, schizophrenia and the hero’s journey, revealing the way myth helps identify one’s heroic path.
2 comments:
Sun Singer,
During his Jay Walking bits on the Tonight Show, Leno asks everyday people simple questions about national figures, geography, and current events. The majority of the answers not only show that the individuals don’t know squat, but that they think being ignorant is funny, if not wonderful.
Sometimes I think the pursuit of ignorance has replaced baseball as our national pastime. So, my cynical response here is that most people have never heard of the heroes of myth. Even when folks have heard of them, they can’t match the heroes to their myths, much less make connections between those myths and life in a modern world.
Bliss, from the view of popular culture, comes from sex, drugs, money, power, clothes, houses, cars and (apparently) ignorance of anything older than last week.
Each generation worries about the ability of the younger generation to climb up out of the mud and make something of itself. Perhaps each older generation has been publishing inaccurate maps and putting up the wrong signposts for the journey of life. Most kids don’t have a grandfather like Thomas Elliott who knows the secrets of the universe.
Jock Stewart
Special Investigative Reporter
“Night Beat”
Dear Sun Singer,
Like Mr. Stewart, I'm concerned about learning. I used to be a teacher, but I had to give it up when the principal told me to teach the test.
I'm more hopeful than Mr. Stewart. Jo Rowling brought back fantasy and the spirit of magic. Star Wars did that for my generation.
The staying power of the Da Vinci Code also brings me hope. I know some readers are looking for scandal. But many are looking for truth, don't you think?
Fiona
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