[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug,

Now onto your point number two:—

“The Other Challenge is what can be accepted as Myth?
Campbell made a stretch In Occidental Mythology because he crossed over into Mainstream religions of today. I thought nothing of it twenty years ago…understanding he was speaking of all the “Stories/Symbols/Psyche/Perspective,”through thousands of years in Mid and Near East.
Sometimes I think what is considered Myth is much more narrow today.”

Sunbug, I had a number of answers from Joe’s various texts, but today, listening to Joe’s podcast on “living your Personal Myth”, hosted by @Brad Olson, I landed on the right words — words that seemed perfect for an answer to your question, and mine too. (Link Posted by Stephen in the category: Exploring Your Personal Mythology,  and here I’ll repost:  “Living Your Personal Myth” (click on title to listen or learn more – it’s free – or find this series on whatever platform you listen to podcasts).

What can be accepted as a Myth: Essentially, a myth begins when you are seized by something much larger than yourself, and for which you are willing to surrender comfort, safety, security (all of Maslow’s basic needs) and you shoot right to self-actualization. Such a seizure ushers in what Joe calls  a Mythic Life. The seizure creates a condition where one appears deluded, disconnected, loses interest in all the basic needs,  and self esteem is out the window. Here, you live the deep mystery of life, and can become disconnected. Your dreams, and your dream world can reconnect you to every day life once again.  (Just a brief summary of Joe’s lecture) I know you will enjoy it if you have not already listened to it.

Brad Olson adds, “perhaps one’s personal myth is known retrospectively, as one nears the end of one’s life”

Shaahayda