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I tried to read Joseph Campbell’s “The Power of Myth” since Tom had mentioned it a few times. I tried four times to read it and couldn’t get past the first few pages. Seemed to make no sense to me, the interview format, without context. Any one care to help me understand how to appreciate his ideas, or even to share something profound he might have written that is buried in some of his writings? People describe him as brilliant, but I’m having trouble seeing it. Therefore, I need a seer to help me.
I don’t really believe in fighting with delicious texts that aren’t delicious. My answer to you would be to drop it and put it back on your “to read later” list. Try something else (Didache, Arnold’s Bhagavad Gita, Conversations with God, Mitchell’s Tao Te Ching, A New Earth, Arbinger books incl The Peacegiver, Adyashanti at Youtube) Heber13, what say you?
p.s. Maybe check out these threads. Sometimes a bit of inspiration and enthusiasm does the trick: The Power of Myth, Jospeh Campbell and Bill Moyers
http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=313 The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
What works for some – or at a particular time – doesn’t work for others – or at different times. Don’t force something if it isn’t the right thing – or if it might just be the wrong time.
Good advice. I’m realizing that my trials in the Church are not necessarily faith trials. I frankly don’t care anymore if it can be proven to be true and I tend to lean on spiritual experiences as my guidepost, although these spiritual communications can be a burden at times. I think the Power of Myth book, from what I’ve been able to gather, is aimed more at people who don’t believe the claims of the LDS faith, and want inspiration or guidance in looking at it symbolically/mythically rather than literally as a way of accepting it. At least based on what I’ve been able to gather about The Power of Myth based on comments people have made here and my abortive attempt at trying to read it.
Quite honestly, I think the best books I could read probably have to do with thought direction and positivity rather than religous symbolism and myth.
I watched the DVD first, I think from Netflix. It is the live interview that the book is a transcript of. It took me a little while to get synced with his wavelength, but then I found him to be brilliant. Tom Haws wrote:Heber13, what say you?
I say, “REQUIRED READING FOR ALL”
I have had several texts recommended by others over the years that I could not get through myself, and didn’t seem to move me, thus…they are just recommendations…but clearly what works for some is not a cup of tea for all (to mix idioms).
For me, Campbell was one that is worth sticking to it and getting used to the mystical concepts as I picked up on the dialogue.
Of course, at the time I found it so moving for my life, I was also waking up at 4:30am to get a bowl of GrapeNuts and watch the sunrise with said book in hand.
Try it at 4:30am, SD (GrapeNuts optional)
:lolno: Perhaps the whole transcript doesn’t flow easily like a book, laid out and organized from beginning to end, but there were many concepts and ideas that stretched my mind. Probably my favorite quote I’ve kept with me from the book is:
Quote:Preachers err by trying to talk people into belief, better they reveal the radiance of their own discovery.
– Joseph Campbell
I have thought so many times of doing an audio podcast on this topic, like Campbell for Mormons. This is pushing that button in my heart again. But yeah, if it doesn’t float your boat, don’t sweat it.
I have a total geek-crush on his viewpoint, but I admit it is pretty far out there. If I were to sum up his philosophy in one sentence, it would be this:
Religion is vital to humanity, just not in the way religions think it works.If you want a model for highly intellectual, academic, stage 5 thinking, I think Joseph Campbell would make an excellent poster child. He both believes and does not believe at the same time.
I would listen to a podcast like that — out of interest. However, I think I stated earlier that faith issues aren’t really at the heart of my personal challenges with staying active. I think rubbing shoulders here has left me with the potential to have faith issues (notwithstanding the many other benefits) as I’ve read about other people’s doubts. But really, my issues are more with right thinking and being willing to make the oftentimes drudgerous, repetitive and hefty sacrifices our religion requires. And also, with simply forgiving leaders for the litany of harsh decisions I’ve had to face (mission, failed adoption, and to a lesser extent, the tendency for local leaders to take your service for granted, local tightfistedness). Also, elements of our culture bother me because of the conformity it requires; it’s very strong in our Church. So, if I was to target my reading to my actual needs as far as activity goes, it would be on the forgiveness and lower expectations of the “divine institution”, and understanding the need for the Church to behave the way it does (like a business sometimes). If anyone can point to reading that addresses those issues, then I would be all ears.
Nonetheless, I would be fascinated with a Joseph Campbell for Mormons podcast. I got a lot out of the Fowler podcasts.
By the way, I listed to the first
Why I Staypodcasts from the Sunstone symposia. I noticed that the majority of the people struggled with the Church due to polygamy, the priesthood ban, and disagreements with church policy on sexual orientation issues. Many seemed to have issues born out of a clash between their liberal values and the right-wing stance our Church tends to take on social kinds of issues. I’m learning that my own issues are very different, perhaps centering on more cognitive-based therapy as I learn to let go of the deep disappointment I’ve felt when this organization with such a divine commission has acted so much like any other temporal organization. That is what needs “healing” to get me back into whole-hearted activity. I heard a great quote today. It was from someone who has no problem letting go of the past. She wrote: “Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a better past”.
I thought I would revive this one by asking a question. For those of you who were able to get past the first few pages of The Power of Myth, what are some of the gold nuggets you got out of that book? Whenever I read a book, there are usually maybe four or five key concepts that I remember. Perhaps we could compile a Reader’s Digest version of the best ideas….
I found nuggets on every page, there are so many I don’t know where to start. I guess what it was for me is I was SO hungry for rich and deep symbolism, I just ate it all up. I had jumped out of a “literal” consciousness into one where symbolism was my new life blood, and I was hungry! Campbell gave me so much to think about, it was great!
Even insights on marriage. On page 7 he talks about how marriage should be self serving, but not serving your old single self – serving your new “united” self. The symbolism of marriage is two becoming one, the new body signifies complete unity. A sacrifice for marriage is not sacrificing your personal wants for your spouse – it is in effect sacrificing a destructive personal force (I think of addiction or some other self-destructive want) for the health of your “complete” you. You almost become your marriage, your “personal” emotional health becomes the health of the marriage. …This can illustrate the power of internalizing the symbol.
Really good thoughts on marriage, Orson. I also found this nugget profound…
Quote:People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That’s what it’s all finally about, and that’s what these clues help us to find within ourselves.
I found this little talk by Joseph Campbell interesting. He talks about myth as a reflection of ego and then expands. As you listen to it, reflect on the temple endowment ceremony as a mythical history and future of humankind within Mormonism….do we ever grow up according to this myth? In letting go of the temple ceremony and its futuristic symbolism, could we potentially have a richer life experience here and now? Or does the temple ceremony enhance the experience of here and now? I found his statements somewhat liberating as I reflected on this comments:
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