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I am about 3/4 the way through this book. The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. It is at least in my top 10. I have highlighted passages on nearly every page. There is so much wisdom and truth contained within.
This book speaks of the hero’s journey. The story of each of us. There is only one story that has ever been told. In this book Campbell explores for us the worlds myths and displays their content and meaning. It is amazing to see how it all fits together. He even talks about dream and the human psyche giving mention to those like Freud and Jung.
These are the main chapters:
The Adventure of the Hero
-Departure
-Initiation
-Return
-The Keys
The Cosmogonic Cycle
-Emanations
-The Virgin Birth
-Transformations of the Hero
-Dissolutions
I’d like to share some of my most favorite passages, however most of them need to be read in full context to be fully enjoyed and understood. I will share some that meant a lot to me that can be snipped down to short quotes.
Quote:Totem, tribal, racial, and aggressively missionizing cults represent only partial solutions of the psychological problem of subduing hate by love; they only partially initiate. Ego is not annihilated in them; rather, it is enlarged; instead of thinking only of himself, the individual becomes dedicated to the whole of
hissociety….Instead of clearing his own heart the zealot tries to clear the world. Quote:We are all reflexes of the image of the Bodhisattva. The sufferer within us is that divine being. We and that protecting father are one. This is the redeeming insight.
Quote:The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth.
Quote:Nevertheless-and here is a great key to the understanding of myth and symbol-the two kingdoms are actually one.
Quote:We may doubt whether such a scene ever actually took place. But that would not help us any; for we are concerned, at present, with problems of symbolism, not of historicity….Stressing the historical element will lead to confusion; it will simply obfuscate the picture message.
Okay, these aren’t even the best quotes because those would be far too long to include here. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is amazing!
Love it! That book and his other works changed my life…all for the better once I accepted the premise that all religions are based on each of us needing “heros” in our lives, so we are attracted to whatever we are raised with… I’m glad you are liking the book!
just me wrote:
Quote:The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth.
Great choice.
What is the story of our lives? Is there narrative or meaning to our pain? Even and especially our spiritual pain?
Such comfort when yes.
Love it.
just me wrote:Quote:We may doubt whether such a scene ever actually took place. But that would not help us any; for we are concerned, at present, with problems of symbolism, not of historicity….Stressing the historical element will lead to confusion; it will simply obfuscate the picture message.
Okay, these aren’t even the best quotes because those would be far too long to include here. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is amazing!
Ok…this is getting on my list and I’m putting it up near the top. What great insight!Thanks for sharing, just me!
This book is high on my priority list to acquire. “The Power of Myth,” also by Joseph Campbell, was an important book for my personal journey. I think that anyone going through their crisis of faith, regardless of their denomination, is greatly helped along the path by exposure to Campbell’s perspective. Yes, this book is pure yumminess. Here is another quote:
Quote:Mythology is defeated when the mind rests solemnly with its favorite or traditional images, defending them as though they themselves were the message that they communicate.
Personally, I think the endowment is a hero myth; the adventurer’s quest.
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