To: K-list
Recieved: 2003/03/25 04:45
Subject: [K-list] Joseph Campbell and the Hero
From: mundane zen
On 2003/03/25 04:45, mundane zen posted thus to the K-list:
One of the local PBS stations is airing the Bill Moyers series (The Power of
Myth, I believe) with Joseph Campbell. In case you haven't watched it and
it's playing in your area, I highly recommend that you try to catch some of
the installments.
Last night, I was watching one of the segments in which Campbell was
discussing the hero archetype. He commented that the struggle of the hero
was the struggle in each one of us to find our individuality. It is a
struggle of realizing our unique individual nature versus getting sucked
into being part of a system. Moyers asked him if he considered himself a
hero, and Campbell answered, "no, I consider myself a mavrick". (I think he
was just being humble)
Campbell's comment struck me hard, like the old light bulb over the head
effect. I suddenly realized why the Yoga and Zen systems I had been
oscillating among always came up lacking is some respect. Although they
make numerous good points and serve as excellent guides to self-realization,
they are nonetheless still systems, with all the extraneous trappings, such
as, rituals, symbols, etc. Ultimately, all systems fall short. There is no
"one size fits all". We have to take the final steps ourselves.
Now of course, as with all good spiritual truths, there is irony and paradox
here. My highest realization has been that the ultimate is a Self that is
devoid of ego; that is pure, unadulterated, all-pervading, awarness. Yet
part of the goal of self-realization now appears to me to be not only the
apprehension of that pure unqualified Self, but also self-actualization --
realization of my own unique qualities and potential as an individual.
Does that make any sense? :)
ken
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