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3 reviews for:
The Mythic Dimension: Selected Essays 1959-87 (Collected Works)
Antony Van Couvering, Joseph Campbell
3.81 AVERAGE
3 reviews for:
The Mythic Dimension: Selected Essays 1959-87 (Collected Works)
Antony Van Couvering, Joseph Campbell
3.81 AVERAGE
The only thing that prevented me from wholeheartedly loving every page of this text as with all previous Campbell texts I have read was the section, and then later reflection, on numerology. A brief synopsis of his conclusions on the continual re-appearance of “432” across time and culture would have sufficed. Though the historicity was compelling, Campbell’s writing style was more scientific here than in his other sections and other texts. This is, of course, because of the presence of mathematical equations. Nevertheless, I found it less gripping than his usual conversational tone. What I always enjoy most about Campbell’s texts is that there is a feeling that he is sitting right there, with the feeling of a casual conversation that magically captures the most important concepts of life and myth. His ability to achieve such comfort and familiarity with the reader has always impressed and delighted me.
Campbell’s knowledge of various traditions is, to say the very least, impressive. Throughout his many texts, Campbell focuses on various religions and myths. In “The Mythic Dimension,” when discussing religion, Campbell primarily focused on Christian and Indian traditions- the two I am most familiar with. I was raised as a Christian, and I took the “Hindu Traditions” course in Fall '08. I enjoyed looking at the parallels between the two. I have always appreciated Campbell’s notion that religion is myth and is not to be read literally, which he reaffirms in “The Mythic Dimension.” I believe that, with this application, we can readily accept all religions as performing the same function – giving us a path or guidelines to follow while in the mortal coil, and giving us a glimpse of what we came from and what we are headed toward. Furthermore, it gives us the ability to accept all religions as valid and not deem one religion “better” than another or deem any one religion as the “correct” religion.
Another element that stood out in this text was the discussions on both suffering and compassion (Campbell 83, 85). I now see not only how greatly the two are related, but how they are two of the greatest gifts to humans. According to Campbell, suffering gives us the ability to gain wisdom (83). I see this in direct correlation with compassion- the ability to truly connect to others. If we did not know suffering, how could we empathize with others? Furthermore, suffering and compassion are two unique elements that make us truly human (different from other creatures on this planet). Campbell quotes Eckhart and leads us to understand that, without love, suffering is essentially meaningless (216). In understanding how the concept of love unites with the concept of compassion, I see that, together, it is love, suffering, and compassion that unite both the myths and our experience of humanity. After all, the myths are both a reflection of a guide for our human experience. Campbell asserts: “Truly tragic pity unites us with the human - not with Communist, Fascist, Muslim, or Christian – sufferer” (238). It is important to recognize that is our humanity that unites us, not our titles or differing beliefs. It is from this global humanity that comes the creation and sustenance of the myth. It is both from and for humanity that we fight, live, and die.
Campbell also, of course, discusses other elements of our humanity. He touches on one of my favorite concepts of humanity - that we are born too soon. As he indicates, we are raised for roughly two decades with an idea of dependence, with this reliance on mother and father. It is a shocking release for many to venture to the new role of independent adult, suddenly expected to be fully responsible and to fulfill the role of mother or father (221, 222). Campbell reminds us, though, that we have the myths to show us how to be adults and maintain our given “roles” (79). This shows how, in today’s society, we continue to need myths.
Finally, Campbell reminds us that this existence is not a permanent one. He instructs us on how to perform in this game of life with an attitude akin to child-like play, keeping in mind that “The laws of life in time and space - economics, politics, and even morality - will dissolve” (37). Of course, when this life dissolves, the life of the spirit is just beginning. There is something bigger, something beyond, something unnamable that all the religions and all the myths point towards.
Campbell’s knowledge of various traditions is, to say the very least, impressive. Throughout his many texts, Campbell focuses on various religions and myths. In “The Mythic Dimension,” when discussing religion, Campbell primarily focused on Christian and Indian traditions- the two I am most familiar with. I was raised as a Christian, and I took the “Hindu Traditions” course in Fall '08. I enjoyed looking at the parallels between the two. I have always appreciated Campbell’s notion that religion is myth and is not to be read literally, which he reaffirms in “The Mythic Dimension.” I believe that, with this application, we can readily accept all religions as performing the same function – giving us a path or guidelines to follow while in the mortal coil, and giving us a glimpse of what we came from and what we are headed toward. Furthermore, it gives us the ability to accept all religions as valid and not deem one religion “better” than another or deem any one religion as the “correct” religion.
Another element that stood out in this text was the discussions on both suffering and compassion (Campbell 83, 85). I now see not only how greatly the two are related, but how they are two of the greatest gifts to humans. According to Campbell, suffering gives us the ability to gain wisdom (83). I see this in direct correlation with compassion- the ability to truly connect to others. If we did not know suffering, how could we empathize with others? Furthermore, suffering and compassion are two unique elements that make us truly human (different from other creatures on this planet). Campbell quotes Eckhart and leads us to understand that, without love, suffering is essentially meaningless (216). In understanding how the concept of love unites with the concept of compassion, I see that, together, it is love, suffering, and compassion that unite both the myths and our experience of humanity. After all, the myths are both a reflection of a guide for our human experience. Campbell asserts: “Truly tragic pity unites us with the human - not with Communist, Fascist, Muslim, or Christian – sufferer” (238). It is important to recognize that is our humanity that unites us, not our titles or differing beliefs. It is from this global humanity that comes the creation and sustenance of the myth. It is both from and for humanity that we fight, live, and die.
Campbell also, of course, discusses other elements of our humanity. He touches on one of my favorite concepts of humanity - that we are born too soon. As he indicates, we are raised for roughly two decades with an idea of dependence, with this reliance on mother and father. It is a shocking release for many to venture to the new role of independent adult, suddenly expected to be fully responsible and to fulfill the role of mother or father (221, 222). Campbell reminds us, though, that we have the myths to show us how to be adults and maintain our given “roles” (79). This shows how, in today’s society, we continue to need myths.
Finally, Campbell reminds us that this existence is not a permanent one. He instructs us on how to perform in this game of life with an attitude akin to child-like play, keeping in mind that “The laws of life in time and space - economics, politics, and even morality - will dissolve” (37). Of course, when this life dissolves, the life of the spirit is just beginning. There is something bigger, something beyond, something unnamable that all the religions and all the myths point towards.
Rather than write a review of this man's life work, I'd rather just cite the various posts I've written about him in the past:
• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?
And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces
Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?
Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]
Mark: Day… in the… studio?
Lancelot: New lighting set up?
Mark: Yeah, it’s–
Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?
Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?
Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.
Mark: Sounds fun.
Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.
Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.
Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.
• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?
And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces
Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?
Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]
Mark: Day… in the… studio?
Lancelot: New lighting set up?
Mark: Yeah, it’s–
Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?
Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?
Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.
Mark: Sounds fun.
Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.
Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.
Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced