CBear I remember seeing/hearing of Campbell for the first time around 1985 watching the Power of Myth.On 2005-04-06 13:54, CarmelaBear wrote:
Hi Robert,
One of the things I like best about the "Power of Myth", both before and after I read many of his other works, is the way he crystalized so many volumes of data and insight. He cuts right through to pithy ideas that stay with a person for a long time. In my case, I've internalized much of what he taught.
I'm Campbellized.
You see till that point in my life I had sat on the fence, listening to the rants and raves of the evolutionists vs. the creationists. Neither faith/belief had convinced me of their convictions. At that time I had not realized there existed a middle path of understanding through myth.
My main interest in watching Campbell I thought at that time, but now I know better, were my interests in the heroic Greek tales of childhood fantasy.
But as I watched Campbell weave myth with symbolism and religion two things very quickly awed me.
First it was his ability to communicate to the layman (me) a profound woven tapestry of belief and understanding.
And the 2nd observation leading to my JC Campbellization, was the passion with which he communicated those interpretations.
He was a perfect mentor for those sitting on the fence of disbelief.
Campbell helped me realize this fence I had been sitting on that we see dividing religion and science is not really a fence. It is actually a veil.
A veil put there by the domination of a patriarchal mindset. It is an illusion. The world is actually a stage and we do actually assume roles. These roles are often ‘given’ or assigned to us. And we no longer follow symbols (right brain), we now follow signs (left brain). And it is we the collective who are the stage hands, actors, audience, orchestra and lighting that together work in creating this illusion. It is presented to us as a sequence or pattern of Acts.
And hopefully soon the ‘Veil of Western Consciousness’ will be lifted to allow passage and blending with Eastern mysticism.
Maybe Joseph Campbell should be referred to as JC II (the 2nd). *
Shanti I find that encouraging, I too rarely read fiction even though some would argue comparative religion and myth is fiction.ShantiSong wrote:
I honestly love Ulysses. And I don’t like much fiction. In fact, I get angry at all the fuss about novels and how wonderful and important they are. How many stories do we need?
I will give Ulysses a shot.
Namaste
Raphael
* p.s. actually I do not believe in worshipping graven images or belonging to a cult of belief. (Adhering to one belief is actually limiting oneself, isn’t it?).
I only suggest JC the 2nd because of how the man has influenced the flock.
He too was a stray lamb…he who veered from the flock himself, shunning the need to complete his PhD. Bucking the system, climbing outside of the box and still coming out and ending up on top.
Finding his Bliss.