Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves. -Nagajuna, second century Buddhist philosopher
An elementary particle is not an independently existing, unanalyzable entitiy. It is, in essence, a set of relationships that reach outward to other things. -H.P. Stapp, twentieth-century physicist
I love finding threads of wisdom that are seemingly not dependent on time or place. A contemporary physicist comes to the same conclusions as a 2nd century buddhist, both through a practice and a life experience that to all appearances would be unrelated. I became obsessed with Joseph Campbell many years ago for this exact reason. He began to notice similarities in theme to various myths from different cultures. A story told in a small village in Africa, was virtually identical to a russian folktale passed down orally for centuries. It is all connected, this human experience. The hero myth continues to be repeated in every country, in every culture all over the world. If you are unfamiliar with the hero myth, think Star Wars, (you may be surprised to hear that Joseph Campbell actually helped George Lucas write the book. Lucas had been a big fan of Campbell's for many years and studied the hero myth intensely. This is why it holds up as one of the great stories in our culture.)
After watching a very bad movie last night, I concluded that one of the problems with our current media is that the hero myth is being watered down, all of the guts and extremities removed. In many cases we are spared from a character experiencing any long term, life changing pain. Instead the character is presented with a problem, finds a solution, and bang, goes onto the next thing which is usually love and happiness. But in the true hero myth, the point of the story is that the hero emerges (through the experiences of pain and adversity), completely changed, never to return to the person he/she once was. Part of the rituals of life (surrounding death, marriage, motherhood, etc.) existing to aid the hero through the change and help them to grieve and let go of the person they once were, (not a voluntary process by the way, the hero is always THROWN into an adventure by circumstances beyond their control). Easier said than done, in many cases. But these stories have existed for thousands of years, and they are to help us through our own lives by serving as a metaphor for the inward journey that we are all on.
Once you become tuned into the hero myth, you see it everywhere, in every book, movie, poem, painting.
(I really could go on about the pitfalls of our modern culture but will refrain right now. I have some packing to do. I'm off on an adventure of my own for a couple of weeks.) more soon.
for further reading on the subject I recommend the book Hero with a Thousand Faces.
(p.s. I had to close the comments to some recent posts so the comment spammers don't wreak havoc.)
I make this comment with some trepidation, having lost one dear friend over a deeply emotional disagreement over a book. Books can and do generate strong reactions, and my friend's boyfriend hated--with a passion--Jane Austen, which he referred to as "girlie fiction." I found some of his choices equally distasteful to me, and the fledgling book club fell apart.
Still, I must admit that I hated Hero with a Thousand Faces when I was forced to read it in college, but now I cannot remember why. This post will encourage me to go back and re-read. It has been my experience that some books are for one part of life, some for another.
Posted by: Karen on June 11, 2005 09:06 AMCampbell's "The Power of Myth" series still ranks as one of my all-time favorite PBS programs. George Lucas was so taken with Campbell that I recall reading that it wasn't unusual for Campbell to be hanging out at Skywalker Ranch (which is located off the coincidentally-named Lucas Valley Road in Marin County). This is a really powerful post, Keri, and I couldn't agree with its sentiments more.
Posted by: Marilyn on June 5, 2005 10:06 AMbrilliant! I've just returned home after two weeks in Greece, being surrounded by history and myths. I'm a filmmaker in Canada, and it is exactly all of these myths that are completely inspiring me right now. Thanks!
Posted by: tasha on June 3, 2005 04:46 PMI love this insight you present today. Very enlightening, no wonder I haven't much cared for movies lately. I will look for the books you recommend.
I could relate about "rituals of life" you mention, being a mother, I swear there is heroism in that process alone, emerging as someone I didn't expect to or intend to. I have certainly had to let go of the person I was and embrace the person I am.
Posted by: Shelley on June 2, 2005 02:16 PMYes, that's all true, this culture is so sadly lacking in so many ways. And I do love Joseph Campbell, I found that book as a teenager and it made a huge difference in my life. I went on to read almost everything that he had written. If people like audio books, I'd recommend listening to the Bill Moyers/ Joseph Campbell series "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth", because it's such a pleasure to hear his storytelling, and the brilliant edge of playfulness in his voice.
thanks for this post.
Posted by: meredith on June 2, 2005 11:02 AMHave you ever read The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler? A few years ago, when it came out, it was very critical to the Hollywood machine. Especially Disney. It's about how screenplays can be evaluated according to the hero's journey. So I think good screenplays and therefore good movies probably consciously reflect Campbell's archetypes, but bad ones...who knows how they get made.
Posted by: bunny on June 1, 2005 06:59 PMi am journeying now to make things lighter for me... and reading through this entry... already has made things lighter... shedding off with my tears whatever was making my heart heavy... thanks, girl!
(this is my first time to read an online journal...
and i am glad i came to yours...:P)
I totally agree with you and Gayla on the watered down heros-journey-gone-wrong in Hollywood films today. I also think the writing is a huge problem. It's without art or passion, generally, and seems to be written by a committee and according to formula (our marketing boys say we need 5% of this and 8% of that, etc.) Actors are given nothing to work with so they seem to go through the motions and are hardly even present. They could call in their performance as easily, I would think.
I'll take little Canadian art films over Hollywood any day.
I absolutely agree with you about the way the hero myth has been changed, especially in Hollywood films. Interesting you bring it up because my partner and I have been discussing this at length recently. One of the problems I have noticed is that there is no inner change at all. Often times this new hero makes a ton of money, or gains fame, power, etc, but stays the same or devolves even further. Sometimes he (it's always a he) becomes more of an ass and even more screwed up but we're still supposed to glorify him because he lived large, took financial risks (apparently the only risks one can take according to these stories), and "went for it". This has become the new hero... that and the watered-down version you're describing who even if he does achieve something more than money, and power it's often very trite (he gets the girl, and/or his dad, the patriarch, passes the torch) and still goes hand-in-hand with glory and praise. And you're right, often the adversity is non-existant, entirely external (somebody is trying to kill him) or taking place over such a short period of time and the change is portrayed as very flat and meaningless.
Posted by: Gayla on June 1, 2005 10:15 AMThank you for reminding me of that book by Campbell. Years ago I read and re-read it, and then I gave it to my parents for Christmas after they had implied that my leaving the church meant my life would lack meaning, as it was no longer informed by guidelines or belief. I think I want to go back and read it again.
Posted by: schmutzie on May 31, 2005 03:04 PMThanks for bringing this up today Keri - something I needed to read :)
Posted by: Ali on May 31, 2005 01:35 PMThank you for the book recommendation. I read the Amazon reviews, and it looks like the book that I have been searching for! (Somehow, you always know.) I'm running to my library this afternoon.
Posted by: Steph on May 31, 2005 12:04 PM