jamesn.
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Mars; I really like the way you articulate your thoughts about this topic in this post for it gives me a much clearer picture than I had before. We all of course have our own individual way of describing things; and sometimes in conversation our impressions of what someone is saying is not always accurate. This was extremely helpful for me. The way we express ourselves with the other person in mind is so important and tone is critical because it’s so easy to misinterpret what others are saying and what they mean about something so scrutiny without bias becomes a central if not critical issue. My approach most of the time is to try and reserve any exact opinion about something until I feel I have some kind of accurate idea of the other persons thoughts about a topic or issue; but then there are times when I’m not sure so I ask. Thank you for your kind efforts in providing this for me because it helped a lot.
Reading what others are communicating is not always easy; and being the fallible human creatures that we are provides the perfect opportunity for the Shadow to create a little “havoc”; (which reminds me of the: “Trickster God”; whose greatest joy was often that of creating trouble between people); and as you mentioned in your reply: (“that Shadow is also us as well as them”); so our job from a Jungian perspective is to learn to know when it’s influence is present and to try and understand what it’s saying. If it’s toxic effects are left unattended and allowed to fester into antagonistic dialogue then it can totally destroy a reasonable discussion about anything. Often a good dose of diplomacy can help sort the problem issue out; but “projection of the Shadow” can become a huge concern.
This was such a major concern back on the old retired JCF CoaHO forums that several moderators were kept constantly busy watching for discussions that would get out of hand; and there was a special 19 page thread dedicated specifically to discourse that ran for about 5 years that explored various areas that one might encounter and how to think about responding. “Tone” for instance was a huge factor; also realizing that a “text based” medium played a huge part because a person has to divine or intuit what someone else is saying because words and text convey only so much; and depending on the mood you are in you may misinterpret or read your own meaning into what the other person is saying. (It was called the: “Art of Discourse” and is located in the: “Conversation with a Thousand Faces” section of the discussions for those who may be interested. Click on the Red Button to the left of this page for access.)
One of the things Joseph felt was important that he brought up numerous times was we should try and know our shadow; not that we should act on it; but to know and recognize it in our lives. But it also represents a kind of vault that contains gold of unrealized potential and values that we are not aware of as well as this dark side of our nature; so this interior journey we must take also contains another dimension of ourselves that lies waiting to be discovered as well as our dark unknown side that needs to be controlled. Sometimes it may be in the form of an inner child that needs healing; or a dragon that must be battled to overcome your own fear; or any number of other possibilities that lie within you that need addressing. One symbol Joseph often refers to is the snake because it sheds it’s skin; this represents the old life that must die for new birth to begin. And indeed this aspect of our nature has manifestations revealed in different cultures throughout human history. But I often think of the one he used: “the fates lead him who will; he who won’t they drag”.
From pages: 68-83; in: “Pathways to Bliss” Joseph goes into much deeper detail about how the Shadow inter-relates to the other aspects of the Psyche; such as the: the Ego, the Persona, the Anima/Animus; and what particular situations might stimulate a certain reaction or response; but it is not something that will just reveal itself without some considerable effort because it’s that part about yourself that lays hidden; and Joseph reminds us it would be wise for us to find out what that something is. For more about this subject so you’ll understand better how it affects us by looking up the term “Shadow” on Daryl Sharps: “Lexicon”: here.
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Addendum: Mars; I have altered the last part of this post by removing what I quoted from you since after rereading I realized it was not quite accurate and instead left a referral link highlighted by using the word (here) to click on at the end of the last sentence above. For anyone reading this: Sharp’s Lexicon is a recognized (go to source) used by many mental health professionals for clarity with many of Carl Jung’s ideas used in his terminology. It is especially helpful for better understanding some of the finer nuances and ambiguity often encountered concerning Jung’s cosmology and how these terms might be applied because many of them are either interdependent or interactive with each other.
(So to use a couple of metaphors when first learning about Jung): it’s like getting an accurate picture of the overall car you are riding in and how to drive it; as well as how all the moving parts work together.” “It’s a tool that can be used to help one recognize and find out; as Joseph mentions: “some of the things that are ticking in us”. (As for myself I can’t say enough about how helpful this little Lexicon has become and use it constantly when attempting to better figure out what I’m reading or what somewhat someone else is referring to. Often cross-referencing can become a problem and many people may have somewhat slightly different interpretations of the same term; and this particular resource is one of the most recognized as a standard credible reference to go by.)
A lot of interesting ideas you’ve offered Mars; but I must admit I’m a little confused. So to make sure I’m understanding you correctly in relation to this topic of: “Jung’s and Joseph’s explanation of the Shadow system within the psyche”; it would help me to know what your understanding of the Shadow is and how it inter-relates with the psyche? That way I can better understand what you are saying.
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I want to add some clarity to my question that may offer some insight to why I ask it. Mars; to me your posts were wonderfully insightful concerning many different points of view that you offered. But the Shadow thrives on projection; and as has been offered in the various clips it is that part of ourselves we don’t know; it responds to things we don’t always recognize within ourselves and often misinforms our sensibilities. As human beings we assume things that are not always accurate; and this archetypal aspect creates images that carry information the psyche must read or process.
The world is going through tremendous turmoil right now exacerbated by this pandemic. And it would wrong of me to assume I know what you are dealing with and thereby assume by what I read I know what you are saying. As you stated; (at least as I understood it); that there is much that is wrong with man’s ability to cope adequately with the global problems set before him; and yes; I agree as seen through a certain lens. But one of the things that Joseph mentions that may or may not fall in line with your thoughts on this is: “The world is a mess; it’s always been a mess; and you are not going to change that reality.”
But we are not talking about the attainment of world peace and everyone living happily ever after; we are talking about dealing with our reality the best way we can; (and this involves coming to terms with our Shadow; which often times helps to create much of this mess we have to live with). And until man as a species becomes more aware of this side of his nature the madness that helped to spread this virus will continue.
Where I live for instance this issue of getting people all on the same page to come to a common agreement about how to fight it is the central problem surrounding a political election where Shadow Projection is a major tactic being used to change opinions specifically about whether wearing a mask and keeping social distance has an important enough effect to stop it. (And insane as that may sound everyone is affected by those who refuse to comply. As I speak we are at record levels of infection with no end in sight until a vaccine can be produced.) Now one could say this is because of misinformation; but it also is used as a weapon of projection to create ill will. This use to be called propaganda; but it’s function is to turn a human being into something evil for political purposes; (on both sides).
So what does this have to do with my point? My point is learning to understand our “Shadow side of our nature” because we all do this but most of the time don’t realize it. We cast Shadow content on others when the real issues most often lie inside of us; and our task is to learn how to see this in ourselves and change our behavior. (Joseph mentions this is one of the great tasks of later life; which is part of the individuation process.)
Much of my earlier post concerning human suffering had to do with society as well as myself trying to see the world in a different way than just out of frustration with what is wrong with it. And learning to see my “blind side” and learning to recognize when it’s in play is part of that process. (This is one of the things I’m trying to address in this topic.) So when I asked the question concerning your understanding of the Shadow; that helps me to know we are on the same page when addressing my impression of your thoughts!
So; I just wanted to clear up any possible misunderstandings as to “why” I asked it. (Again; I thought your posts were great!)
I want to bring up something concerning why I created this topic I think has a major connection to Jung’s Shadow and Joseph’s articulations about understanding it. We are in the middle of a global mental health crisis concerning man’s ability to come to grips with what is in front of the human community. What I see developing refers not just to the virus pandemic; or the coming Climate Change and Global Warming issues facing the planet; but the human lack of ability to understand itself within this larger landscape of global concerns. Some will say this is an age old problem; (and yes this is true); but there is more going on than just political or economic or religious conflicts.
Carl Jung saw coming down the road that Man’s Shadow had the potential to destroy the planet and all life on it unless he looked inside; which in his view is where man’s real problems reside. And until the human animal begins to address this side of his nature and come to grips with it in his view the future looked very dark indeed. (It was his greatest fear and he said so here.)
I’m sure many who read his work and that of Joseph’s are more than aware of these concerns; and it is my feeling that the more time we spend just getting a basic understanding of the interplay of how some of these Jungian themes affect our lives the benefits are more than worth it. I can only speak for myself in how any of this knowledge has affected my life for the better; but I want to add a couple of other points that might be worth considering as we each go about our daily lives.
Every day I read the news and see more and more heartache and suffering that many of these ideas can be of help. Think of the number of suicides, the opioid, drug, and alcohol addiction cases; the violent crime punished by our prison systems; the domestic abuse of women and children and elderly; the homeless; the people thinking only of money and the things it will buy as a substitute for self-worth. These are just a few examples of how the dark side of the Shadow can influence peoples lives.
Religion for many is not the answer; only a substitute crutch for meaning. (Yes; of course helping others is one of most noble ideals of concern); but without understanding what’s ticking inside a person this does not adequately address their problems. And by understanding these internal dynamics and how they might pertain to an individual life one is finally able to understand some of their causes and address them. The Shadow also has positive aspects and values to offer as well; but make no mistake this is Shadow country; and Joseph knew this and profoundly understood it’s relevance.
If this virus pandemic has had any kind of positive side in my humble opinion it would be that it’s forced us to stop and re-evaluate many of the things we feel are important. This is where the Shadow lives; and we should get to know and understand it better; and as Joseph suggests we will be the richer for this internal dialogue.
There is a lot of great material you’ve included in your 2 posts Mars; so I’ll try to address how some of these ideas connect with what I was attempting to articulate concerning my understanding of Joseph’s themes.
As human beings we live on timeless ground that has been layered over the centuries of man’s attempt to understand his/hers meaning of existence in one form or another. And one of the understandings that Joseph continually brings up is life has no meaning within itself; (you bring the meaning to it). And the Hero theme of the Adventure is the expression of this eternal quest for meaning and understanding against a backdrop of a universe so large and overpowering in it’s scope that within it’s contemplation alone from microscopic to macroscopic a metaphor is probably the best we can do.
Joseph explains that there is no conflict between religion and science because science is itself a manifestation of this wonder and at the same time nightmare we as living creatures are participating in. And the great myths and stories that influence our lives are vehicles of insight into a dimension for which there are no words. Yet here we are and we must try to make sense of this great Opera of which we play a part in our brief gift of time.
Carl Jung tells us that as humans: “we are in a constant state of becoming”; and Joseph’s interpretation of this is that over the course of a human lifetime it is like the Arch of the Sun that travels from the horizon of the morning to the horizon of night. And as a metaphor this represents the life journey of an individual from that of a child to that of old age; with separate life stage tasks that must be undergone whether we are aware of them or not. And within each stage there are psychological realizations that must be assimilated for the individual to understand where they are. And one of these realization tasks has to do with assimilating and integrating the Shadow; which is the unknown and unrealized dimension of the individual of which the Ego is unaware and has been repressed down into the unconscious. And in the last half of life it starts to push up towards the conscious level or threshold demanding to be addressed.
As you stated; these are two dimensions of the same thing; or put another way: “the union of opposites”. And because the child is now an adult many of the symbols that have informed the child have begun to change meaning; some of which are no longer relevant; and others their messages now confer very different meanings. One of the best examples Joseph uses of how a symbol can confer many different cultural interpretations is the Jewish double triangle: “Star of David”; which in Indian symbolism refers to the Chakra system of realization; (which in Jungian parlance represents the upcoming of “repression”); so the way one religious system defines something may be totally different from another. But Joseph’s point is that these are devices that throughout human history have to do with spiritual transformation or transcendence. They help human beings give meaning to something that has no meaning; (being alive “is” the meaning; or put another way: “Joyful participation in the sorrows of the world within the rapture of existence against a backdrop of life eating life; also known as the: “Ouroboros”). This is the integration principle addressing the later life task of “individuation” Jung’s theme addresses that Joseph is talking about in many of these Shadow clips.
One of the main task ideas at work here is Shadow rejection; (which has to do with assimilation of one’s Shadow side with how one responds to life); but what makes this so difficult is becoming aware of it because it’s our blind side; (we don’t know it’s there; it’s the dark side of our light side; and we have little control over it “unless considerable effort is put forth to know it and integrate it; (which brings us back to the “Paralax system”); and trying to attain some kind of balance within both sides of our nature.
Mars; those were very nice posts; so I hope you’ll pardon my rather clumsy attempt concerning my description about this; (at least as I understand it); and maybe Stephen, Mary, yourself, or anyone else may have something else to offer that will help shed even more light on it.
I’ve been spending some time since my last post trying to better understand and assimilate some of the different aspects of the Shadow system within the (integration process); which I will attempt to describe within the following parameters:
Joseph mentions there are 4 basic life situations that will stimulate the crisis modes to which the Shadow responds: 1.) A major life threshold passed and not recognized. 2.) Excess Libido; such as a life goal accomplished or some kind of life change as that of retirement for instance; where life has lost it’s purpose. 3.) A threat to one’s moral position toward life. 4.) An unacceptable decision to be made; such as the taking of a life for instance. (I’m assuming these are categories pertaining to that which is played out within one’s personal myth or life course; whether by encountered circumstance or by choice.)
Because the Shadow is the blind spot of the Ego and resides within the Personal Unconscious or Landfill of the Psyche; the Ego which is it’s other half; operates above the level of the conscious plane. In the following he describes this relationship and an aspect which he calls the: “Paralax Principle”; that I thought might be helpful to this discussion:
___________________________________________________________________(Joseph’s reference to the “Parallax principle”: In “Pathway’s to Bliss”; on pages 69-70; starts his description this way):
“For Jung, ego is your notion of your self. It defines the center of your consciousness and relates you to the world; it is the “I” you experience as acting on the world around you.
It has nothing to do, however, with the unconscious portion of the self. The ego normally stays above the line of consciousness. Now, suppose you’re driving a car; you’re on the left side of the road, at the wheel, mean-while, you don’t know that there is another side there. In fact you don’t even recognize that you are on one side; you think you’re in the middle. Most people drive their lives this way, according to Jung. They think their ego is who they are. They go driving that way, and, of course, the car is knocking people down on the other side of the road. How are you going to enable yourself to see that other side? Do you put another wheel up and have a friend drive you? Do you put the wheel in the middle? No! You have to know what’s over there; you have to learn to see three-dimensionally, to use the parallax principle.
So we have the self; which is the total potentiality, you might say. You have the ego, which emerges gradually in the course of childhood to a comparatively firm notion of itself. Until that ego is more or less confirmed, it is very dangerous to have experiences that the ego can’t handle. It can be blown, and you lose the ego’s grip on conscious reality entirely. Then you’re in a schizophrenic condition. You’ve got to have your ego in play.”
_____________________________________________________________________Joseph goes on to describe how a child grows up and the role that ego development has in relation to the Persona; but the problem in much of western society is that in later life the adult begins to see themselves as a manifestation of the Persona mask; (which Joseph calls a stuffed shirt); and then the problem becomes that of separating one’s identity from the mask they have to wear in order to function as a competent adult. (That’s just one of several possible later life crisis situations.) But what he is saying if I understand him correctly is that we need to learn how to drive or navigate our lives in the middle of the road; no matter which side we are on – “we are 3D navigating”! I hope my explanation makes sense; because he says: “we must find the middle”; (i.e. enantiodromia); that I’m attempting to describe as relates to: “Shadow Integration”. (There is much more to this subject of course; but I’ve run into this particular aspect several times over the last few years and I’ve not heard it brought up in other conversations; hence this is why I’m introducing it now.
As I was reading again through some of these special posts I was reminded of when I first “found Joe” when I came across the 6 part series: “Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers” in 1988 and how it affected me. I was experiencing an emotional and spiritual crisis that rocked my inner world to it’s very core; and one Sunday I came across the series being shown on Public Television and everything around me just stopped as if I were suspended in time!
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; (“Who was this guy?”); and all of a sudden the things he was saying began to give me answers to many of my deepest questions of who I was; what I had been looking for; and why. He was saying things in a language I could understand and the world around me began to make sense in a way that it never had before. He connected the dots between complex issues, themes, and ideas that had been inaccessible and unreachable before; and I knew from that moment on I had been changed. Changed not as some kind of religious converison; but as a thinking and reasoning adult who no longer would be satisfied with literal religious ideology that pertained to the meaning of the living of my life; but that I now had some tools to find many of these answers for myself.
That was in 1988 and a new road had opened up for me. Books; films, lectures, and whatever I could find that had Joseph’s name on it I devoured; and then in 2006 I found the JCF website with it’s early version of CoaHO; and the journey got even deeper and wider and much more in depth with discussions pertaining to all kinds of subjects; some of which included the world of Jungian ideas and concepts that began to enter in to my understanding of Joseph’s themes. I began to unravel things within my personal life story that had been long buried deep in my past; and now the emotional alchemy of painful as well as positive life-altering change began to unfold; “and then the real work began”; not all of it pleasant! Over these last 30 some odd years I can only feel profound gratitude for the effect his ideas and work have had on my life; and looking back I would hate to imagine what my life would have been like without it.
For many of you who have had a dark night of the soul; one that speaks like: “The night is dark and I am far from home” – Where am I going?; Where is my lighthouse? What am I looking for and how do I get there?; and What is this longing I keep feeling and where are the answers to my questions? I think his ideas more than ever now have tremendous relevance; but I can only speak for the importance they have had for me. But if you have been deeply affected by Joseph’s work over the years I’m sure each of you reading this may have your own moment you remember of a special connection to his ideas that made an important difference in your life.
So I was thinking that in honor of this special event of this 30th Anniversary and Patrick’s wonderful film of: “Finding Joe” since it speaks so powerfully to these ideas; maybe along with some of your questions a few of you would feel like you would want to share some of your experiences such as: Patrick, Marianne, and Shaheda so movingly have? ( Just a thought to add to this discussion if anyone feels like it.)
Shaheda; Stephen may have more to add about this; but one of the things I found interesting was his discussion concerning “ritual”. But the other thing to keep in mind I think is there is still unpublished work Joseph left behind that part of the foundation’s mission is to publish as time goes forward; which Stephen may also have news of. I think he is working on one such project himself at the moment; but that’s all I know.
I would also like to add what I think is a critically important addendum which Mary brought up that I think for many of us resonates quite strongly which has to do with what the individual defines as success. This particular individualized or personalized interpretation of the individual life story I think has enormous bearings within the “life-story” context; and often presents itself in the later-life moments of change of what I think James Hillman describes as the: (Diamond or Soul’s Code); which like a seed or destiny calling begins to surface if the individual has not answered it’s demands; especially concerning the life path that has previously been chosen. (As Joseph mentions in some of his other Jungian lectures: this is when the “Shadow” aspect begins to surface by knocking under the table demanding to be heard.)
This demanding voice of the psyche may also I think vary greatly depending on whether the marriage; career; or spiritual demands have not been met; or that one has simply not engaged with this deep hunger or echo of the inner life that has not been addressed. And most importantly as Joseph emphasizes; when the mid-life meridian begins to pass over from the noontime of youth into the later stages of life: “these symbols begin to change meaning” as well as context. A mid-life crisis is often a major call for a metamorphic transition into a new life; which I think Marianne’s post illustrated exceptionally well!
Mary; your moving personal story illustrates Patrick’s themes extremely well! (I looked for your mention of the 4 functions to include them but alas could not find them); but I think these are definitely important points you raise concerning the individual’s continued experience of: “death and rebirth” on living an authentic life throughout their journey instead of just existing within society’s usual roles. To me this “is” the call to adventure; or put another way: “the individual’s response to it”; and the 4 functions that you mentioned Joseph described: the sociological; the cosmological; the metaphysical; and the psychological; are what myths as vehicles serve in helping to integrate and harmonize an individual through the inevitable hurdles they encounter of the various stages and crisis moments of their lives.
Stephen has an interesting thread about a little known work Joseph contributed to: “The Changing Images of Man”; titled: “A 5th function of Myth?”; and actually mentions a 6th and 7th in the “Works of Joseph Campbell” Forum and a link to the listing of it in the Foundation Catalogue if you or anyone is interested.
Saying this I should probably mention at this point that I was trying to stay within the topic of “Finding Joe” as a metaphor of the archetypal element of the “Hero Journey” by introducing Jung’s psychological themes which Joseph emphasized so strongly; and their relevance to this continuing symbol which resonates so consistently throughout the one great 1000 faces story of mankind. But since this is such a large topic I think you are absolutely right that these various features and areas that he also stressed should be included as well.
Patrick; thank you so much for your thoughtful response which was most insightful. Yes; I think there are different manifestations of the bliss/journey that most people identify with that you mentioned; which I think lies at the root of what we’re discussing. Chris Vogler wrote something about this years ago which has to do with a kind of general script that many writers; (especially in Hollywood); are familar with that in your documentry Bob Walters addresses when he says that there are really only 3 basic stages of the journey: “seperation; initiation, and return”; but the confusion I think lies within the individual circumstances and what the requirements are for that person’s needs. In other words as you were pointing out your son may have one set of needs or requirements for the stage of life he is addressing; where as for an adult in mid or later life may have quite a different life crisis situation. (This is a problem that Joseph describes we all have to work out for ourselves within the context of our own lives because the older ways of interpreting a myth are out of date and no longer work and the individual is thrown back on themselves to find their own way.) And I think there is a social or cultural assumption that projects a kind of: “one size fits all”; where a scripted idea of the life process says: it has to follow a certain defined set of rules and steps in a certain order.
There is also the subject which is brought up about: “Archetypes”; which Deepak Chopra briefly mentions that I think is critical; (at least from a Jungian interpretation); that most people in the general public have little adequate understanding of which Joseph goes into greater detail in his more academic lecture series. By that I mean the psychological aspects that myth addresses as compared to the spiritual, religious,or more mythological aspects. (He calls this the 4 functions that myth serves.) In other words trying to describe to a 16 year old about: the Shadow, Ego, Persona, or Anima/Animus and what an Archetype is not the same as an adult trying to describe a mid-life crisis to his analysist or mental health professional or spiritual advisor. But understanding what a myth in the form of a “metaphor” is as opposed to a “literal” or concretized version of religion; much less learning how to read a symbol as such; I think lies at the heart of much of this chaotic turmoil modern society is up against. Or in other words telling an individual that a dark forest adventure path to: “follow their bliss in finding their own way” is a metaphor; not a set of concretized: “thou shalt” scripted commands. This Joseph calls following the left-hand path of the hero; as opposed to the right-hand path of the village compound. Here is a clip from one of Joseph’s lectures describing what I mean.
Welcome to the forums Patrick; so glad to have you here. I was so deeply moved by your personal story it reminded me of a couple of lines from the movie: “Dead Poets Society”; where Robin Williams played high school English teacher: John Keating and in these 2 scenes: 1) The Meaning of Poetry; he refers to life as a stage where: “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse – What will your verse be?” And 2) where he tells his students: “We are all food for worms” and uses the Latin phrase: “Carpe Diem; or Seize the Day”; as a metaphor for their life choices and to make their lives extraordinary.
So my question refers to the term “Bliss”; and whether since you made this film do the people you talk to understand what goes with this journey? (I realize this may be subjective to the individual interpretation; but by that I mean Joseph said that this choice was a destiny call coming out of; as he put it: “from the push out of your own existence”. And often there was a misunderstanding which at one point out of frustration he mentioned: “Perhaps I should have said: (follow your blisters).” I say this because often I think people get the idea that it just means finding what you love to do; and don’t understand the pain and suffering that can often go with this life journey or adventure; and that the hero is a metaphor for what one must often undergo; not necessarily someone who wins a victory. I think this is a critical idea because it ties into everything else concerning the life that one must sometimes live that often gives it it’s greatest depth of meaning. (Tolkien’s: “Lord of the Rings”- trilogy would be one example for instance; with the character Samwise Gamgee in the: “Two Towers”; when he says to Frodo who is down-hearted and discouraged:
“I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. – (What’s that Sam?) “That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”
(Again Patrick; welcome here; and I’ll be looking forward to hearing you this week!
Thank you for sharing these simply magnificent pieces Mars! I can see why they were so profoundly moving to you; and Vialey Pisarenko’s performance was just breathtaking! The depth of context you provided tied everything together beautifully and I hope you will offer more of these. Many of the Impressionists are some of my favorites; Debussy and Satie in particular; but I am certainly no authority in this area.
Here is a short documentary clip you might enjoy of Eugene Atget’s photographs of Old Paris accompanied with music by Eric Satie:
Mars; what an absolutely exquisite piece! This must have been quite a special moment. I am always amazed at how music is able to capture and express things for which there are no words! Thank you very much for sharing this.
Hello Kenneth; welcome aboard. Chief moderator; Stephen Gerringer may have more to add; but check your Meet and Greet box for some information I left you that may help with what you are searching for. (There is no specific question and answer group that does what you are asking. You can of course just post a question as a topic which may give you what you need. ) Hope this helps.
Hello Kenneth; welcome here. Chief moderator: Stephen Gerringer; may drop by at some point and be able to better advise you; but in the meantime I’ll offer a couple of suggestions that may help. Alas the Roundtable discussion groups are pretty much gone; (but there is no group per say that answers specific questions as you requested); You can of course just post a question as a topic; which actually may be a good way to get information; but the whole website is basically setup to help you find information about Joseph and his ideas if you know where to look.
The top row of drop down buttons are all categorized by subject and resource concerning which area has access to the various topics you can search for Joseph’s material and various Foundation areas of classification for further research on your own. You have already found the “Conversations” which are basically setup for people to choose a topic of interest to discuss with other members.
Depending on your background knowledge of Joseph’s scholarship and themes there are however some general overview video documentaries such as: Bill Moyers excellent 6 part series – The Power of Myth; (which many in the general public already know about); The biographical video documentary: “The Hero’s Journey – Joseph Campbell on his Life and Work”- (which also has a companion book which includes more discussion with him about his life. I would also suggest foundation editor- David Kudler’s excellent: “Pathways to Bliss”; and one of my favorite’s: Diane K. Osbon’s: “Reflections on the Art of Living – A Joseph Campbell Companion”; as helpful guides to insights into Joseph’s themes and some practical applications in Joseph’s own words. And the more recent videos by Pat Soloman: “Finding Joe”; and Stephen and Whitney Boe’s: “Mythic Journey’s”. These have been the most helpful for me over the last 30 years in finding practical applications that actually work; but that is just in my experience. Your may have other areas in mind concerning your documentary; but they may be a place to start.
You mentioned quotes by Joseph so will I suggest going to the above dropdown menus to the specific section that says: Campbell’s Works; click quotes; that provides 436 of them. Enjoy; and again; welcome here.
