[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Thank you David, Stephen, Benjamin, James and Mike. This entire thread has been extremely valuable. “The hero, whether god or goddess, man or woman, the figure in a myth or the dreamer of a dream, discovers and assimilates his opposite (his own unsuspected self) either by swallowing it or by being swallowed.”

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug,

So much that you have written is close to my heart and close to my understanding. But before, I delve into myths, symbols, metaphors, experiences, unfolding of adventures, only one’s own experience and its meaning in relation to one’s very own journey, and finally the realization that it connects to something larger than oneself.  As part of Joe’s quote reveals, ‘where you thought you were alone, you’ll be with the rest of the world’.

But before I delve into myths, I must say that it was Stephen who recommended David Abram’s book on the forum somewhere, and I then passed it on to you. I love it too, and go to it, from time to time. He recommended another one, it’s called “When Brains Dream”, I got it, and lo and behold, I am glued to it now. Therefore, the other one is on hold, however, I loved reading your review of it.

I am putting my thoughts in a semi-coherent order  on what you wrote,  ” As far as myths in ones own life, Joe Campbell’s reference to experience really hits home. I feel it especially in Nature, though I’ve had some beautiful human events in my life as well (and sometimes nature has been woven through those) With Campbell when he mentions the books…it seems he used to reference the Goddess Libera (Roman Goddess? Of reading/knowledge-have to re-check) as a metaphorical inspiration.” 

Will be back soon, dear Sunbug.

Shaahayda

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug,

So much that you have written is close to my heart and close to my understanding. But before, I delve into myths, symbols, metaphors, experiences, unfolding of adventures, only one’s own experience and its meaning in relation to one’s very own journey, and finally the realization that it connects to something larger than oneself.  As part of Joe’s quote reveals, ‘where you thought you were alone, you’ll be with the rest of the world’.

But before I delve into myths, I must say that it was Stephen who recommended David Abram’s book on the forum somewhere, and I then passed it on to you. I love it too, and go to it, from time to time. He recommended another one, it’s called “When Brains Dream”, I got it, and lo and behold, I am glued to it now. Therefore, the other one is on hold, however, I loved reading your review of it.

I am putting my thoughts in a semi-coherent order  on what you wrote,  ” As far as myths in ones own life, Joe Campbell’s reference to experience really hits home. I feel it especially in Nature, though I’ve had some beautiful human events in my life as well (and sometimes nature has been woven through those) With Campbell when he mentions the books…it seems he used to reference the Goddess Libera (Roman Goddess? Of reading/knowledge-have to re-check) as a metaphorical inspiration.” 

Will be back soon, dear Sunbug.

Shaahayda

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug ( I owe you a post  and am still adding and snipping away)  and Mars,

Thank you for your responses. They have been very helpful. Mars, I can very much relate to what you wrote, ”

Your perception of the reality is not the reality, it is only your perception – hence it is not the reality.

…….“a pivotal event…” You could not control it, only lived it. This experience is very common though.”  

Another question, though: Are the second best a reference to that which can not be seen then, that is, when the misunderstanding occurred,  but you say, it’s a pretty common experience, then most humans misunderstand an event, which then becomes a second best thing?

Sunbug, I also  love what you wrote:

“the question of a misunderstanding depends on the environment I think.
even IF something was misunderstood is the Misunderstanding a Necessary revelation? Should Joy be less because of this? Just cannot see that!
Perhaps a Catalyst regardless of its proper “definition,” is still a call to adventure.  And it would seem to me to borrow and adapt Gandalf’s quote , “It’s what you do with the time that is given.” (Yes I still work on this one too)

Or the adventure that is given. It’s still your adventure”

Simply put, it’s still my adventure, or it’s still my Myth.  It really is, Sunbug, it’s my myth, undoubtedly.

Now onto your next very interesting post.

Shaahayda

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Dear Sunbug ( I owe you a post  and am still adding and snipping away)  and Mars,

Thank you for your responses. They have been very helpful. Mars, I can very much relate to what you wrote, ”

Your perception of the reality is not the reality, it is only your perception – hence it is not the reality.

…….“a pivotal event…” You could not control it, only lived it. This experience is very common though.”  

Another question, though: Are the second best a reference to that which can not be seen then, that is, when the misunderstanding occurred,  but you say, it’s a pretty common experience, then most humans misunderstand an event, which then becomes a second best thing?

Sunbug, I also  love what you wrote:

“the question of a misunderstanding depends on the environment I think.
even IF something was misunderstood is the Misunderstanding a Necessary revelation? Should Joy be less because of this? Just cannot see that!
Perhaps a Catalyst regardless of its proper “definition,” is still a call to adventure.  And it would seem to me to borrow and adapt Gandalf’s quote , “It’s what you do with the time that is given.” (Yes I still work on this one too)

Or the adventure that is given. It’s still your adventure”

Simply put, it’s still my adventure, or it’s still my Myth.  It really is, Sunbug, it’s my myth, undoubtedly.

Now onto your next very interesting post.

Shaahayda

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Hello Gabrielle,

Such an inspiring and thought provoking essay. So much has been written that I’ll be brief.

Watching NAOMI OSAKA play at the US OPEN tonight, was like watching your words in action. Naomi is One uniquely strong women’s single player, yet vulnerable, kind and humble, and as you wrote, the combination of strength and vulnerability makes for unimaginable strength.

This combination on the field has brought her unmatched popularity from fans in all age groups. Such awesome emotional outpouring from her fans only made her ten times stronger in her vulnerable mode.

Wonder if NAOMI’S coaches read your insightful words too?

Thanks for your marvelous essay.

PS: In athletics and elsewhere too, I think strength must precede vulnerability otherwise the athlete would be wiped out in no time.

Shaahayda

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

You write, “You could not control it, only lived it. “Thank you Mars for your elaboration here. I am trying to link this experience to a personal myth, therefore, one more question:    Does  living the misunderstood event make it second best?  In hindsight, it’s been anything BUT! Your thoughts?

Also, any thoughts on the following:

Q2:  “My feeling is that mythic forms reveal themselves gradually in the course of your life if you know what they are and how to pay attention to their emergence. My own initiation into the mythic depths of the unconscious has been through the mind, through the books that surround me in this library. (“Man and Myth: A Conversation with Joseph Campbell,” Psychology Today, July 1971 ) Is Joe referring to one’s personal mythic forms? My problem is exactly what Joe stated, that is, ” if you know what they are and how to pay attention to their emergence”  My sense is that many here, do know their personal mythic forms and do  have that knowledge of how to pay attention to them.

Shaahayda (thanks you)

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

You write, “You could not control it, only lived it. “Thank you Mars for your elaboration here. I am trying to link this experience to a personal myth, therefore, one more question:    Does  living the misunderstood event make it second best?  In hindsight, it’s been anything BUT! Your thoughts?

Also, any thoughts on the following:

Q2:  “My feeling is that mythic forms reveal themselves gradually in the course of your life if you know what they are and how to pay attention to their emergence. My own initiation into the mythic depths of the unconscious has been through the mind, through the books that surround me in this library. (“Man and Myth: A Conversation with Joseph Campbell,” Psychology Today, July 1971 ) Is Joe referring to one’s personal mythic forms? My problem is exactly what Joe stated, that is, ” if you know what they are and how to pay attention to their emergence”  My sense is that many here, do know their personal mythic forms and do  have that knowledge of how to pay attention to them.

Shaahayda (thanks you)

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Thank you Stephen and Sunbug.

Sunbug for posing that insightful question, “And when he ‘let that be,’ he could hear the Inner Call to something greater: the NEED for the Question which healed the land?” And thank you Steve for pulling Sunbug’s words from her lengthy post and validating them, “I believe you have articulated the heart of the matter, Sunbug. “

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Thank you Stephen for your review of When Brains Dream: ‘Exploring the Science & Mystery of Sleep by Antonio Zadra and Robert Stickgold (c. 2021)’ I just purchased the book on your recommendation. This is the third book in one month, based on your recommendations. The one before this one was “The Spell of the Sensuous”, preceded by “Dream Dictionary’ By Eric A, preceded by “Joseph Campbell – Correspondence”.  Except for Campbell, I had no knowledge of the other three, and I must admit I have loved all three, and of course Campbell’s letters as I read them one by one.

So wonderful to see you back on the forum, although, you were never far away and answered questions even while travelling.  Thank you for that too.

Shaahayda

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Hello John Bucher and Stephen,

What a beautiful topic! I know there are great musicians among us here, but thought I’d add my own journey with the Japanese flute (A Shinobue)

“Both the troubadours of yore and the Grateful Dead are storytellers who use song as their medium to explore the human condition (often in beautiful yet bittersweet ballads of love and betrayal); both skillfully wield rhyme and rhythm to pull back the curtain and offer a brief glimpse of transcendent mysteries.”

Flute came to me in a dream, and the sound of the flute was so beautiful that it played in my head for days. The sound of that  Native American Flute was, hmmm, how should I describe it — it was “light, and ethereal” it was “mysterious, and sacred”. It was as if  the wind whistled and called me to my destiny, it was as if the faes sang a new song.  So  to explore the dream, I took flute lessons. The music lessons were not easy for me, because in the course of my flute training, it became clear that I was tone deaf. Yet I carried on, hoping to make a connection with the dream and what I brought forth through my flute.

I’d say I have not had a major pull back of the curtain, except through the ‘mystical, airy, mysterious’ music of my dream, Joe’s message became clearer:

“The mystery of life is beyond all human conception. Everything we know is within the terminology of the concepts of being and not being, many and single, true and untrue. We always think in terms of opposites. But God, the ultimate, is beyond the pairs of opposites, that is all there is to it.” ― Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

Shaahayda

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Well thanks for this fascinating information R³.  Gematria is used both in Christian and Jewish traditions. The route to Numerology I suppose?

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

The Goddess number “9” R³.  In Islam too, there is much emphasis on number nine. The prayer beads in Islam, are called  called Misbaha or Tasbih, usually have 100 beads (99 +1 = 100 beads in total or 33 beads read thrice and +1). Thirty three x three = 99 + 1 (Name of  Allah) Reciting and memorizing the 99 names of Allah: #
Name
Transliteration
1
الرَّحْمَنُ
AR-RAHMAAN
2
الرَّحِيمُ
AR-RAHEEM
3
الْمَلِكُ
AL-MALIK
4
الْقُدُّوسُ
AL-QUDDUS

and on and on until 99. But the 99 names are not for the  Goddess but for a monotheistic  all powerful and mighty God.

Thanks

Shaahayda

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Hello Stephen,

Enjoy NYC, Harlem, Central Park, Columbia University area, enjoy your tour, tons and tons of history.  So very thankful to you for your response on “In All Her Names”. Not only a dynamite memory that the essay is also in the ‘Mythic Dimension’ which I shall soon purchase, but an awe-inspiring dedication to JCF, and so to Joe. Also, thanks for the explanation that JCF does not control the price of the book, and that it’s the individual sellers on Amazon! It’s indeed THAT one essay that I am interested in.

Again, I am very grateful to you for reaching out. I bought the book — the price ranged from 6.95 to 289.65!! Also, will get the ‘Mythic Dimension’ now. More masterpieces to uncover.

Thank you James for guiding us to the book!

Shaahayda (in gratitude)

 

[Shaahayda Rizvi]

Hello Michael,

Is there a reason that this book is listed at 11.89 in one place and 186.65 and then at 285.56 at another place. Both on Amazon.

Thanks for your answer.

Shaheda

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