Myth Matters

Endings, loss, and uncertainty. Fears of a catastrophic future. Many of us are living with this right now or wondering how to. How to act. How to participate.

Perspective and guidance can be gleaned from myths and old stories. They are a poetic record of life in a world where catastrophe happens. A world in which people have at various times, felt that everything was falling apart or that the world might even end.

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"It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope." –Ursula K. LeGuin 

This episode revolves around the Welsh myth of Cerridwen and the Birth of Taliesin. I've worked with this story a number of times. It comes to mind this time of year because Cerridwen is both a goddess and a witch, and this story includes potions, cauldrons, shapeshifting, and poetry. 

A different theme emerged for me this time in response to our collective uncertainty and questions about action, control, and faith.

I hope you find something of value in this meditation.

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“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”― Joseph Campbell

We began an exploration of some important questions in the last episode. Questions about our allegiance to the inner world and the concerns of our outer life in the material world, as the demands of these realms often seem to be in conflict with each other. How well do we understand the relative weight and power of these worlds? How they inform and enrich the other? What is involved in our choices? 

A fairy tale called "The Nixie in the Mill Pond" was our way into reflection on this topic. This is part 2 of the story and our reflection of these questions.  

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A self-guided journey into story and soul
November 1st- November 15th

Tap into the power of story to live your symbolic life

Follow your bliss

"He who looks outside, dreams; he who looks inside, awakens."  C. G. Jung

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To what do we owe greater allegiance, our outer life in the material world of human conventions, or our inner life and the requirements of soul? I explore this question through the lens of a fairy tale called "The Nixie in the Mill Pond,"  collected by the Brothers Grimm. 

This is a big topic and a fascinating story with many twists and turns so I'm devoting to episodes to it. This is part 1.

" Sometimes a man stands up during supper
and walks outdoors, and keeps on walking.."
--Ranier Marie Rilke translated by Robert Bly

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How we imagine our lives is how we live our lives, and mythologies provide the images and ideas in this process. But images of the human in the dominant myths-- as sinner, dominator, or world destroyer-- aren't guiding us toward a bright future. What are the alternatives?

How about an ingenious, improvising jack-of-all-trades, the "bricoleur"?

There is no "Myth of the Bricoleur" as far as I know and yet, the bricoleur and the act of bricolage can be found in myths and stories around the world. And once you know what this is, I think you'll see the bricoleur at work everywhere today. 

You may even be one.

The human as bricoleur jack-of-all-trades offers a different way of understanding and engaging with the personal and cultural transformation currently underway. I hope you enjoy the episode!

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How we imagine ourselves is how we'll be. 

And where do we receive these images of the human? They're in our myths.

In this episode, I take a look at three images in the myths of the dominant culture that determine how many of us see ourselves and how we live: the sinner, the king of the animal kingdom, and the world destroyer/ parasite. 

Are these images useful today? How do we find and live into alternatives?

I'm joined by the insightful Dr. Craig Chalquist (see bio below) in an exploration of these questions. Many thanks to Dr. Chalquist for his rich contribution to the conversation!

Much more could be said on this important topic. I hope you find this a helpful.  

Craig Chalquist is academic director of the Consciousness, Psychology, and Transformation program at National University. He holds a PhD in Depth Psychology and another in Psychology and Religion. His most recent nonfiction book is the second edition of Terrapsychological Inquiry. He also writes speculative fiction and is working on a trilogy of novels dealing with how humanity will face events sixty years from today. Visit his website Chalquist.com.

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Sifting through options to make a decision is something that each of us has to do at some point. When our choice is part of a creative process in work or life, in the arts or our psychic terrain, it can be very difficult. Something new will come into the world. Some type of transformation will take place. We're deeply invested in the outcome and there may be consequences.

The dilemma posed by the need to make a choice is a common feature in the tests and tasks faced by characters in fairy tales. The nature of the choice and the way it is accomplished in these stories provides useful metaphors for considering our present situations and the challenges posed by creative choices.

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“We would do well… to think of the creative process as a living thing implanted in the human psyche.”  --- C.G. Jung (1922) Collected Works 15

We often say that every person is inherently creative and yet doubts and fears of inadequacy are common. Many of us hesitate to make any claims to creativity and feel it is lacking in our lives, or question the value of our creative processes and the outcomes.

In this episode I offer a perspective on this dilemma with the aid of a fairy tale called "The Three Feathers"  and The Red Book by and C.G. Jung.

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Apple's ad for the new iPad has evoked some very strong reactions, reactions that illuminate old links between image, metaphor, myth, and our collective notions about creativity and the creative process. The current cultural conversation is a good starting point for reflection on  some commonly held images of creativity and the way these images shape our creative process and the value we place upon it.

This is the first in a series of episodes that will explore the central importance of image and imagination in all of life. How we imagine our lives is how we live them.

Thanks for listening and keep the mystery in your life alive...

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"Well, that's the trick: the sudden unexpectedness inside the over-known."
--- Heather McHugh

What type of mood does the word "poetry" evoke for you? Do you associate poetry with the profound and weighty? The concerns of the soul and the seriously sacred? 

I rarely look to poetry for a laugh and I wonder why, when there are many brilliant moments of humor to be found there. In celebration of National Poetry month, here are ten or so humorous poems from Roald Dahl, Billy Collins, Carol Ann Duffy, and others.

I'm joined by poet and songwriter Rags Rosenberg, a longtime friend of Myth Matters who adds a few of his thoughts and poems to the mix. Thank you Rags!

I hope you enjoy the episode and please share your favorite poems of the moment with me! 

Thanks for listening.

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