[sunbug]

Lovely essay, Kristina.

This passage is very true:

“Rhythm in art and in the art of life is essential. Rhythm imprints its patterns into our body, mind, and very souls. This incorporation builds strength and resilience in ways that our everyday cortex awareness is never able to fully grasp. And if it does detect these imprinted patterns, it rarely appreciates them. Rather, our left brain’s general default tendency is to judge, compare, and doubt their worth.”

I can attest to this as a dancer *chuckle.*
The left brain becomes both judge, trickster and interloper and yes “doubter.”
I have rehearsed a dance and sometimes had my mind wander…did I do this or that? Or wonder about something not related to the dance and then the Left Brain says: “Where are we?”
Or it even jumps in the middle of the dance with its doubt and “what is the step?”

The left brain learns steps, or memorizes the choreography that is created, BUT then the Right Brain and the Body Mind take over and say: “I’ve got it from here! And they do!
Unless that pesky left brain jumps in and says “where are we exactly?”

Then the feet can stumble over the steps in that moment of doubt.
Rehearsal is one thing but in performance Oh Dear!

But improv can help with that heh heh.
However I’ve been continually amazed by the “Other Side.”

It does not always let the Left Brain have its way.

I have had other moments where my left brain went into panic where are we mode…and literally FELT my body BOTH the feet and the arms execute the Exact move to the music without my Thinking about it! It just HAPPENS!

One can almost hear the Right brain and Body Mind say “Don’t you dare! Or just Chill! I’ve got this!” (To the left brain.)

You need both sides for the dance but one side eventually takes over.
The body-mind is also capable of retrieving movement memory from numbers performed years before.

(when one might wish to bring a dance “back.”)

It is wild!

And You are so right about the Rhythms Kristina! It is truly imprinted upon us! And inside of us!

That’s what makes memory of words better as well.
The rhythm! There is a kind of rhythm in poetry, but once you have a song, a beat the memory of those words flow!

Does not matter if you are the one who wrote it or are just singing along.

Or even helps all memory in general!

The power of music! The power of rhythm!

Imagine it might go back to the bards and the story tellers of ALL cultures world over.

I still think about Allison’s presentation last year on dance and how she emphasized that dance started on the earth, the ground…that’s where the rhythms began.
So much of professional dancing of all styles is conceived as movement to be performed upon various stages, that it is easy to forget where it began…

Until you look back at the traditional cultures of dance, where dance was also story and ceremony.

Or look at Hamadryad….

Or imagine Isadora Duncan standing by those columns.

Though Isadora might take exception to me from the tap dance perspective where the feet have to move heh heh…

Though I was also trained in ballet and modern.

But it’s interesting reading that passage as well, because I once imagined an Isadora Duncan style move in a tap dance (I sometimes add ballet and modern style to tap.)

The move I chose felt like the arms were lifting and pulling the torso and feet along rather than the other way

Or at least that was the impression I had from watching old videos of Duncan.

So her experience before the columns makes sense on many levels…though it seems there, she feels the energy/dance rising up from the center and torso, up into the arms reaching in “reverence,” from the way she describes it.

When you talk of the underworld Kristina, rhythm as integration makes sense…

I was thinking again of Robert Mirabal’s “The Dance” (which I have yet to post again)

but the last line of the verse is “where there is suffering, there is the dance.”

And I think in the last of your essay that’s what you highlight, how the rhythms can help one or many deal with the dark and light…to find balance. Maybe it’s a way to healing or some wholeness…

Through the rhythms of music and dance or even the rhythms of a paint brush, one finds expression…and release…

Maybe it helps with pain too. And sadness. Frustration. But the rhythm turns it all into Something Else, something, which transcends its original form or perception.

So when people like to have a routine to their day and in their life…maybe what they seek or long for is a Rhythm. Funny how routine looks like a double or triple entendre now! Well I can’t escape that as a dancer any more than Gregory Hines “can’t escape the rhythm” in TAP. Heehee.
But the Rhythm has been with us since the beginning of time and story.
That’s why the Creation tales that begin with song or the song of the universe fascinate me so much…

(song lines, psalms, even Tolkien’s imagined mythic history…universe sung into existence)

Because in all of that there is rhythm as well as sound.

okay better close.

But thank you again for your essay Kristina!

[sunbug]

BRIEF: Just saw “Fantastic Beasts 3: Secrets of Dumbledore”

One name: Jacob Kowalski (the muggle) and no magic. But brave and foolishly so. And he definitely rushes in…because of his heart. His compassion.

So that’s kind of perfect.

[sunbug]

I love this Gabrielle!

Yes I’ve danced “the fool,” a few times literally including “fool on the hill,” and have worn jester inspired costumes for some of these as well…

And have a literal “fool/jester mask.”

But this is off on a dance tangent…

Back to your essay.
The journey of the fool is poignant…

Fragile as a bird but daring heights and different views.

But then when one sets themselves to the wind…they might as well be walking that tightrope between everything.

Want to come back to the tightrope later.

When you quote Campbell:

Mythology, in other words, is not an outmoded quaintness of the past, but a living complex of archetypal, dynamic images, native to, and eloquent of, some constant, fundamental stratum of the human psyche… While our educated, modern waking-consciousness has been going forward on the wings and wheels of progress, this recalcitrant, dream-creating, wish-creating under-consciousness has been holding to its primeval companions all the time, the demons and the gods. (18)

Yes, THIS.
And it seems sadly peculiar to me that which is defined as “recalcitrant,” (and maybe even “backward,” or “out-moded”) is the very thing, which opens to beyond. That dreaming process is also a creative process not just by making but by thinking as well.
We know in the past evolution had its Aha! Dawning and Discovering moments.
Sometimes it seems that logic should dream and imagine as well as figure out. (This isn’t about Blind Belief what logic always fears) but more about wholeness. Think Einstein expressed this by saying “Imagination encompasses the whole world.”

And well the Fool thrives by imagination.
And he/she certainly tests the boundaries!

So that hovering question is can we really afford to sacrifice the imagination in the name of evolving by logic alone? Or can we at least keep the wonder alongside the memorization?
   My Mother was an astronomer and earth scientist. Masters in physics and astronomy from Emory and taught astronomy at Fernbank in Ga.

But since it’s earth day: some of my first memories of her.,.she gives my young hand a leaf for inspection…

She describes pinnate and palmate leaves and pointed and rounded lobes of different oaks. Lobes, I understand because that’s like ears!
But something ElSE is happening here…for she has also pointed out the hair of the woman and the ears of the rabbit in the moon.

Wonder is at play.

And is not funny that the words Fool and Play often go together!
And yet one can still learn from this…

but it is a different kind of learning.
Now I just may have to check out Station 11! (Thank you also for the recommend of Ted Lasso last year! That was a pleasure to watch!)

I’m not certain but think there is ? a James Patterson book called Jester?

Or it may be another author in the same genre.
It is really interesting…focuses on the life of a medieval red-haired jester traveler player (it’s not fantasy) but the protagonist becomes a mythic archetype within the story. He’s pushed into dangerous situations but somehow manages to find a way.

These days have a sense there is another function of Myth strongly at play within our society: that of The Village Compound.

Well yes this has always been a strong part of myth and history through time.
But to me within the last few decades

this side of the myth seems to be given more emphasis than the various journey myths, both physical and inward.

(and my God! Looking at the world through those years up to today, very understandable! It certainly can be a scary place to be!)

And that will probably come back to the quote of is it good enough “just to survive?” I re-worded it…so there’s the complexity because of also knowing sometimes the “tourniquet” must be applied first to “staunch and stabilize.”
So it can become infinitely complicated.
As for the Myth of the Village Compound, I think it offers a kind of “secureness.” So understandably THAT has More emphasis. Yet interestingly the Compound also represents what it always has: gates and parameters.

So Now it is about how each individual and the human collective relate to those parameters. Will they say Yes? Or No?
Because it feels like in modern times the Compound is not just what surrounds the villagers. It is The villagers and the community.

I love the village compound here at JCF by the way (smile.)

But this is different compound.
Any and all adventures must relate first to the boundaries and parameters in order to prove their worth and place in their community.
So journey myths have a different place and the seeking of them is done “within” the gates…until the gates eventually open.
So that has a slightly  different but similar dynamic as the old stories.
But one would have to feel for the archetype of the Fool, who seems to always rush in or sometimes rush out, when they are not supposed to…

What does one do? Or choose?
The de-crying of the Fool has often portrayed the character as the One who will harm the world with their foolishness. So they must be de-cryed for the harm they are expected to cause.
Now one can make an argument for narcissism harming the world…

Yet you have pointed out the fool can have the appearance of naïveté which in fact hides a deep type of wisdom. This is not narcissism. For the fool takes the chance even “appearing foolish,” when the narcissist might avoid that.

And what an excellent point you also make that the “fool is not paralyzed by fear.”
Yet we know the fool can be aware of the danger? Or so can the journeyers.
Just like the young woman in Station 11 “we are artists. Of course we are terrified.” How moving is that?
it’s true.
Yet unlike the Shakespeare characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern…

It may be that Non-paralyzation, which saves someone. Maybe not always but possibly.
Now I don’t know how station 11 ends. Since I have not seen it…so heh heh…or read it.
Maybe the trick is to be careful when putting a tourniquet on any wound “to NOT put a tourniquet as well on All the Music.
It’s interesting you mention tightrope and fool. David Doersch,  the head of an East Coast Celtic Rock band (long since de-banded) wrote a song inspired by an artist’s painting of a fool. It seems the painting was called “The Traveler?” And maybe the bands’ song was as well, though I always called it The Fool.
But the lines mention everything about the fool…from juggling balls of fate…to walking on a tightrope to even flying with the “lady in a shroud.” So it kind of sums up everything. The fool leaning right into the wind to the end. (His end.)

Of course Paul McCartney’s Fool on the Hill can be a beautiful place to observe the world as well…or maybe it’s just Earth Day…(every day!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sunbug]

James, I just played the clip of Joe Campbell  you posted. ( And again sorry to be late in responding.)
Love this! “The function of Art is to Reveal the Radiance!” Yes Yes Yes.
It is so beautifully simple and profound that logic cannot help but jump in and make it’s own complicated distractions.

But Art brings the balance, sometimes a different or New view.
I wanted to go back to the “suffering” as represented in Easter and the passion of the Christ.
I mentioned “suffering” and dance and no not referring to blisters from point shoes…

You mentioned going beyond the pairs of opposites into the third part which gives birth to the fourth.
I was thinking of the Pueblo Musician and artist, Robert Mirabal because one of his songs is The Dance.
But the words also mirror Ecclesiastes …Robert sings: Where there is doubt, there is hope, Where there is fear, there is love, Where there is hate, there is peace, Where there is suffering there is the Dance. 

Now I find that to be very beautiful and poignant.
It is through the movement of the dance to give voice and maybe even a type of healing to the Pain and stillness.
Maybe this also is a way beyond the pair of opposites into the fourth birth?
But it is expressed in movement not words. I really wanted to post this video but seem to have trouble on my phone pulling up the blue button from bottom of screen. So maybe when another device is charged later.
I also wanted to respond to your earlier post of Campbell’s quote about a dancer later in life only going as far as they feel comfortable down to the line of “the whole world will want to join the dance.” It’s one of my favorite quotes of All time from Campbell! Though I only stumbled across it I think in the compilation Reflections on Living.
It’s true both at a literal level and a transcendent level.
Pushing one’s body beyond certain physical limits can shorten the dance and or athletic life of a person.
I knew at a certain age in performance, that limiting “tricks” was fine by me…
Maybe a few turns was okay…but began to choreograph dances without as much showy stuff. That was not the reason I enjoyed dancing. And besides there can be longevity in dance when one takes care…let others be the most flexible.
I had a tap mentor teaching in his seventies. I would still like to dance at seventy as well.
And it’s funny how it starts out logical as the left brain learns or makes steps…but at some point there is the trust of the creative function…trusting the body-mind to remember the steps…or even going beyond to simply move to the music and free form on the spot…risky but fun.
Wasn’t there someone else who said all the world really wants to do is dance?
Since it’s earth day, wish Stephen could post that beginning clip of Allison talking about how dance began On the Earth on the ground…not On the stage.
When I take my trained dance skills and apply them back on the ground or in response to live bands (respectfully) yes it makes people wonder. Some of my dance friends too…(grin)
But I have had some lovely adventures that way (including  dancing with  a busking Beatles band in the tree greened sunshine of Central Park and Strawberry fields. Or at gigs of a cool Beatles (and other artist) inspired rock band The Weeklings. This to me was just as wonderful as professional performances! Though I still love all the other dance experiences I’ve had in my life: training with various teachers, dancing solo and with friends in groups and duets, trios. Being an assistant teacher and teaching/coaching/choreographing. And other “professional performances.”(in different forms of dance and in theater)

But at some point it just becomes: The Dance. And that’s why I love that whole Campbell quote!

But now I have wandered far astray.

Hope  that I have responded to what you wanted me to see James.:-)

 

 

 

[sunbug]

Monica what a lovely essay!

I also have a dancing Shiva statuette.
Found him at a NY street festival after a dance class.
My Mother loved buying things at the Street Festivals to support the artists.

And what many and marvelous cultural backgrounds!

Joe Campbell’s photo of Shiva and the whole concept entranced me…

As a dancer, seeing myth and dance combined in metaphor…

Yes! I understand exactly how you feel!

And there, the title “The Lord of the Dance.”

It is interesting there is the Scottish Hymn of the same name, though some say it comes from an earlier song.

I’ve heard both versions. The Scottish hymn was played when my tap mentor, Beale Fletcher passed. His wife Peggy (also a dancer/ballerina), who was from Scotland  chose it.
Really beautiful! Made me cry.

But it’s interesting to see the same translation of “Lord of the Dance,” from two different places…India and Scotland.
I cannot help but love the synchronicity of that!
Campbell’s description of that statue, which you also describe so well…still fascinates me, the balance between the temporal and the eternal, the drum and the flame.
The rhythm and movement potential kinetic and still all at the same time?
You quote Campbell and say:

“And what comes to my mind is that, as Campbell used to say, mythology is the “song of the universe,” the whispered tune underneath the dance. The point where mythology meets both the dance and the music of the spheres.”

I love this!

And I love the way you say the whispered tune underneath the dance. You have me right there! Yes Yes Yes!

(My mother, an astronomer often referenced the music of the spheres:-)

I know about creation tales that begin with the word of God. But I asked once what about “the Song of God?”
JRR Tolkien creates a myth where the world is created by “song,” the “song of the Ainur,” (high universal or angelic powers.)

But that reminds me of the Song Lines of the Aboriginal people of Australia, the bards of the Gaelic/Briton isles…and so many more…

Stephen mentioned the psalms from the Bible as well.

And I’m also reminded how stories are passed down through song in cultures around the world.

You say Brazil and if I hear that music I want to dance!
I know a minimum of “Spanish dance,” but I don’t mind “playing the fool,” and just moving with those rhythms!

I loved the African Djembe drums at Ailey too and steel drums.
So a combination of all those cultural music traditions whispers come join the dance!
(Which is also what the Scottish hymn asks as well as its earthier bonfire predecessor. *Grin*)

Thank you for an awesome essay!

 

 

 

 

[sunbug]

That is beautiful James! Thank you! 🙂

And No need for apologies remember I’m a dancer 1st (grin) except I never knew I’d love playing guitar… I’ve always written poetry but  found a way to turn it into something else. And I’ve slowly learned to write choose/find words same time as notes and IN-time with music using dancer rhythm skills.

And in response to your reply: YES.

Speaking of Garden…funny you should mention that as one song on new CD definitely mentions a “Garden.”

And the “Garden” in this song is of course metaphorically synchronous with exactly what you said! Too cool!

Synchronicity is fun.;-)

[sunbug]

Thank you James for your considerate and thoughtful response in return to me!
I am glad to hear you are working things out with your inner Minotaur!

That is wonderful!

The funny thing is you found a “thread” I had not even written…that is true for me…I’d left it unmentioned.

As for the “instructional videos” on social media…that’s a learning curve. Ha ha. I have taught/coached/choreographed for individuals both in competitive levels and in regional/local theater production. And have made instructional one on one YouTubes and that was great. But by avoiding Zoom connection I played the “fool” and made my “invisible watchers” too broad an audience. So the teacher in me over-detailed ha ha ha. It was okay…mostly accepted and enjoyed.
But I enjoy a conversational style of teaching. So had to go back to drawing board. Point is I survived.
But your empathy and your words below, Really moved me, because you are picking up something much deeper…another project…
Something I had not brought to the light of day in this thread. And something, which has been waiting a long time to see The Light of Day.

Here are your words James:

“Thank you so much for your kind and generous efforts in including me in some of your thoughts and I was deeply moved by your personal struggle to give wings to your muse “and” the connection to (your story).”

Dancing is my first forte. (Though in the long run I chose to be a more freelance professional dancer/choreographer/teacher with some exceptions.)

But after teaching myself to play guitar, in 2008-2009 I put out a CD of “Story Songs” I had written. My first cd. A wonderful talented musician from Brooklyn  (lead guitarist) and  friend agreed to produce it. What a marvelous learning experience loved it! And my Mom worked on the design.

Then in 2012 I made another one with a different producer, a Nashville session drummer.
My Mom was working on the design graphics of this one as well.

But she had Parkinson’s and it was rough. And the design part was never completed beyond photos and notes.
Life seemed to take dark gray turns into a Modorian Labyrinth both beneath thunder, rain and sun.
I lost heart and the will to finish the project we both loved.
Roads fell into roads…with bright glimmers flickering back into consciousnesss through music concerts, gigs…friends and green city parks. Until I came full circle home again in a way.
And only now TEN years later…after ripping grief and “Mordor”

I have burned more CD copies and have a local graphic designer working on design…looks nice.
The reason your comment really moved me James is when you said “give wings to your muse,” THAT is part of my thank yous… “these broken wings are finally ready…”

And it is True…yet all the uncertainties come back in worrying about things being just so from design to even making videos and having to be able to trust the freedom of the fool to “just let go,” when it’s the last project my Mom and I worked on together.
How many video takes must I do? When will I be ready? Design etc.? To just say “yes?”
But the strange part is The theme of the cd is about that kind of letting go and trusting the adventure, answering the CALL  no matter what happens as Leigh as written here! So Of Course…THAT is staring me in the face! (So I’m getting there…a little bit)

Even though all that time is built up inside. 
But NO Matter what happens in the Aftermath…I KNOW that I’m finally doing it…and THAT is enough because it is Everything…and I will imagine my Mom also knowing this. 🥲

That is why your journeys as a musician James reached me. I Have huge admiration for other friends who are musicians and in bands. It was really listening to music that began to glimmer back into my life. Listening and occasionally dancing to that wonderful live music from live bands.

I’m more of a dancer/musician 😉 than a musician/dancer but I still love it!

 

Thank you James!

 

 

[sunbug]

James, now I have rambled down a long and winding road (heh)…

Part of the reason, I waited to “jump-in,” was I remembered you were waiting to see other responses on a different thread (as well as here) like everyone 🙂

I tend to um “take off…” *wry grin,* when the subject matter is interesting.

So I do hope that your dream Minotaur/bull archetype is addressed for you! That’s why I mentioned a “Balrog,” not a bull creature exactly but still has horns and is in the underworld.

I think that fear of answering the “call” could be compared to facing a creature in a labyrinth or within the psyche’s dreams.
But Juan already responded to you, so clearly, nicely and concisely, I will just wait to see what Leigh might say on that…when she has time to dive into all these threads!

As for the dance, to me there does seem to be more freedom in modern dance than ballet. But it depends on the directors and choreographers of the companies as well.
The function that ballet performs as a “backbone” of dance goes beyond “the pretty lines.” Proper technique has a lot to do with injury prevention. Unless there is a case where the dancer/dancers are pushed too hard.
I found freedom of expression in other ways in dance (though I had both ballet and modern training)

Tap has been a joy and fun challenge in my life…so many adventures there!

And free form dance…or dancing to live bands.

I am a professional dancer/teacher/choreographer  but when dancing to live bands perhaps I appear “the rogue” “off the stage.” Because what I call free form others call on the spot choreography. But I do use proper band etiquette and if necessary dance off to the side unless everyone is up dancing in front of band…so I join them.
When younger, would jump right into the “rogue dancing.” That is kind of playing a “fool” of a sorts. There was mostly positive energy in response and sometimes little kids would mimic me…and once I found a girl who was dancing similarly so we “danced together,” this way. I do notice other people around. So sometimes pause and dance with them drawing in the crazy whirlwind of on the spot improv.
I found out later that some people when they saw me “felt embarrassed for me” when I was dancing this way mainly because I was “standing out,” or “standing out by myself.”

Well can’t say that I was bringing any virtuous boons to community beyond happy smiles. Ha ha. There were some.
But even in regular dance performance loved seeing people smile Not because they were giving me attention, but because of sharing something I loved…sharing that joy and seeing it reflected back.
There is such raw power and beauty in modern dance…Alvin Ailey performances have left me in tears.
And well a level 2 Horton Class at Ailey in the summer…don’t be fooled by that 2! But so much fun! And Graham too. Contraction (Graham) Lateral T (Horton.) And what a discovery to learn more of Jean Erdman! Brilliant woman!
Leigh, I have a feeling Joe Campbell would still be irascible today!

Though I might challenge him to left vs right brain in dance…

In my experience the Left picks up the steps. And the right remembers the routine. Oversimplification but I do know the right or the body-mind kicks in…especially when a wandering left brain jumps in like an analytical fool oh where am I? Right brain: don’t you dare! If left takes over there goes the step but body mind will perform it anyway without even thinking about it if one is lucky!
What Twyla Tharp and Jean Erdman did was participate fully in their own adventures. Being choreographers helped them make their own paths.
That is the challenge for a lot of dancers…sometimes it’s just about fighting and working hard “to get hired,” to get a “job,” “a show” a “gig” doing someone else’s choreography which is still wonderful fun!! But trying to survive in a city like NY in the meantime. Not easy! I admire and feel for all those artists!

The fear of failure…seems like that is also the fear of being “stamped” “defined,” as well as “scorned,” by that failure.
I wonder if someone chooses to put something creative out there if they fear

it will be mediocre? Or be judged that way? (Boring?) Or that they will look the “fool” as you said Leigh. Especially if Time is invested in answering the Call…there will be a pressure not to fail I think.

So rather than attending to the passions or the call of the heart they worry what “everyone else thinks.”

I remember what Campbell said about this.  Hehheh.

I’m learning my own lessons about educational dance videos in a “short attention span “Tik Tok” world. And dance video games!

Show don’t tell works well in literature but a little harder when one is concerned about preventing dance injuries or when it’s necessary to count a tricky rhythm ha ha.

Well enough of all this!
Great essay Leigh!

 

[sunbug]

I enjoyed this essay as well Leigh!

So here comes my long ramble.

First the broader definition of artist:

I do agree with you…an artist does not have to fit into a small category.
Yes, my Mother was an artist as well as astronomer (but there is rhythm in the care and positioning of a telescope, mount, a drive…just as there is rhythm in dance or in the careful pencil and brush strokes my Mother made on paper and canvas!)

My Dad was a mathematician…taught higher math in high school. And he was a certified VW mechanic, but I saw him build boneyard VWs and restore them with shining paint. His garage was like a mythic forge to me! It was an impassioned and passionate undertaking and an Art!

Believe me: if you saw his fully restored 1974 mild custom green VW Thing…you would know! Even bleeding the brakes was an art…not to mention it goes back to rhythm as well because I cannot seem to escape those dance metaphors!
I think one can find art in many unexpected places!
I’ve found that the skills of a local foreman and welder are most definitely art! Especially when one sees how creative someone must be to make certain things fit and weld to shape and size. It’s really beautiful!
My Dad never counted all his talents but he could carve wood too. And tune my tap shoes…he had a precise eye for many things and a creative way of making things work…he had all kinds of skills! But I digress.

Back to the fear of not succeeding and being scorned as a “fool.”

My first thought is that some people are just “trying to survive,” to “get by” from day to day. They have responsibilities perhaps families to support? Sometimes stress can crop up…and they become overwhelmed.

So the very idea of answering a “call” to a higher adventure feels “foolish.”
Or “insane.” There is a lot of pressure in this world (*care*)and Joe Campbell was already noting that in the past.

Of course one does not want to “abandon their children or spouse ” for the sake of adventure for “self.”

I’ve heard of this extreme too, where some people did that. BUT I know it’s not part of an “authentic call” to adventure.
Unfortunately these kind of “happenings” give a “bad rap” to the whole idea of the call to “individual adventure.” It is sad, because that is kind of a broad brush.
But for those who are “just trying to survive,” I think the “fear” is the whole thing will fall apart if they dare to answer that “higher call.”
So I’m guessing that would be like the fear of “the abyss.”
I do not know about Minotaurs James beyond the myths. But I have seen “a balrog” crop up to challenge the inner psyche. I’m not sure my response was appropriate to the challenge…still working that out ha ha.
I know there is a lot of comparison between the individual journey myths, small collective journey myths like LOTR, which I love And the potential larger grand collective myth/journeys to be had.
I loved the way John Bucher used an And/Both approach to the collective journey vs individual journey in his latest essay. It makes sense to me! And gives balance.
But now the individual journey (or “hero journey” though I recently learned that was not coined by Campbell) has grown a shadow side.
At least that is the perception I have.

The hero turned egotist or tyrant.

This view is very understandable in today’s world. Makes sense and I can see that is possible or at least one possibility, while at the same time recognizing when this happens, that the “tyrannical or ego-hero”  has perhaps “failed their journey test,” anyway????

But in FEAR of this, there seems to be more emphasis on commitment to collective/community (which is a Good thing and worthy and compassionate cause!)
Yet the irony…resides in your eloquent quote Leigh: “

”if one refuses the call to be grander than themselves [they] lose the opportunity to bring boons back to the village.”

Boons, which would be beneficial to the  collective community.

However, to me, it seems as though today’s approach to myth is “how we can do it together? How we can collaborate?

That is certainly a wonderful earth from moon view!!

But sometimes I wonder if there is an idea that if any journey does not include an entire collective, then the journey becomes invalid?

 

For me, I prefer John Bucher’s And/Both approach, an approach you are also hint in your essay (smile.) Answer the call and bring back boons to the community.

I think this would explain another bit of the fear of scorn…if one dares answer that higher call to adventure.

If you dare your own call are you somehow “not committing to others?”

And your duty is to commit to others over your “selfish (?) desire” for adventure?
Well this is certainly going to make a lot of people put on the brakes and not take the risk to “stand out.”
No one wants to be a “fool” or a “selfish fool!”
The sad part is this suggests that there is only one way to commit to others or community. And this also broad brushes the negative expectation that all heroes or individual journeyers have a great potential to turn bad. It never addresses the reluctant journeyers, who Stephen has often mentioned. Or the call “taking one by surprise.” 
But knee jerk reactions are a part of life alas! It is what it is! Very human…and yes understandable in this tough, frightening world, a world which also has so much beauty between the sorrows!
The trick is to ALLOW for the chance of at least one (or more) Parzival who finds his/her true honor and courage. And brings a great boon to all.!
But the education or perception seems to be going the other way…

“Beware the individual journeyman/woman!!! (out for their own egos most likely!)”

Maybe, it seems unfair for just one person to be credited for boons and gifts? Who knows? *shrug* And well it is fun to give group gifts sometimes. 🙂

But just because Narcissists stand out does that mean everyone who might “stand out,” is probably a “narcissist?”
Yeah they are plenty out there for sure…*eye* but this to me just muddies the waters.
Just because a psychopath thinks he is a “hero,” or a “god” does not make that true.
But in counterpoint that does not mean by default every individual journeyer is a psychopath!
Because we are all bound to meet others on our journey paths, guides, teachers, friends as well as perhaps face those wastelands where the path is not as clear and there are no guides or clear answers for awhile. (Like Parzival)

But oh boy! The world can be a confusing place!

You really have to feel for people of All Ages and backgrounds navigating our world. 🙏
Sometimes it really does feel like a labyrinth right out in the open! Borrowing from your thread James…;-)
Tangled thread is a good metaphor!

Well getting tangled that seems like a journey of the fool…but the fool takes chances because that’s the archetype…oh boy again!

Maybe Ariadne will appear just maybe…there will be a lucky pair of scissors…or you learn how to weave in the dark when you are still.

And alas Leigh!  All you said on dance has set my mind on yet another “thread”of thought. But I will close this one for now.

 

 

[sunbug]

Leaky transcendence! Love it Mark!

Transcendence will find a way!

Sorry for the borrow of the ol’ Jurassic Park metaphor of life will find a way.

 

But maybe there are some metaphorical dinosaurs lurking in the dark we subconsciously try to avoid.

Makes sense to me!

The icky mud in the attic…

The obvious possibility: rat signs tale-tail. Trails of icky for sure!
No venemous toads in a literal attic with that much heat in summer. But once upon a time, small black venomous  dragons of a sort would March down from our attic with their scorpion tails held high in venomous attitude. Bold and angry.
So maybe a scorpion could hide in the psyche just waiting to jab.  I remember one time when Dad was in the backyard, a scorpion stung his ankle multiple times! Yow!
Angry little creatures!
And then it’s those un-explained creaks in Attics that maybe we would rather avoid?
Last year, I had a harrowing experience in my house with a hornet and it felt symbolic went right into the psyche attic for sure…know there was more at play than just the bug! Or maybe because of my childhood memory of Dad’s encounter with a swarm. Well he did spray their nest (heh) but he fell as he ran and they attacked. So bad he went to the hospital and his wedding ring had to be remolded.  But thank God he recovered!
BUT your quote: “Do people take refuge in the mundane to avoid the extraordinary?”

Brilliant! And Yes, Yes, Yes! I think they do!

Maybe you are right! Maybe they do partly in fear of the icky things in the dark. Maybe fear of confrontation? Highly understandable! Or fear of what they will see in the mirror? I think you did a piece on reflection last year and Medusa right? The stone turning?
So a snake could be up in the attic?

But that’s 3rd eye stuff as well as um venom. Unless rat snake. Haha.

But sometimes, I think the greatest fear is the unknown and not necessarily because it might be a monster to avoid, but rather because what if the unknown  “does not fit,” cannot be easily “categorized?” That has always seemed to be the role of transcendence to me!

What you thought you knew, you did not know!

But logic wants its say as well, which is logically to be expected.
Transcendence probably tests the patience of logic Hehheh. So is the trick finding the balance?
So here I go pulling up Robert Mirabal again Stephen (of course;-)  At the end of one of Robert’s concerts, he said something I had never heard before.

But it certainly appealed to my psyche and (Joe Campbell philosophy cells) Grin.

“Drive safely and see you in a non-ordinary reality.”  I love that!
I think it also speaks to what you say Mark!!
But I have this sneaking suspicion that you are right, the non-ordinary is feared. And I think it’s feared even when it’s not icky scary.

Isn’t there a little bit of a different kind of fear even hidden within the word Awe?
Or when one thinks of the Universe and feels humbled by their tiny-ness within it? Do transcendent moments not take the breath out of us? Did some poets not refer to that which was so beautiful it “hurt?” Or maybe the re-connection hurts because one has been so long without it? So ironically it’s easier to keep it at bay so one won’t have to remind themselves of that pain.

But alas! Transcendence will leak its way back into that attic, when one lets their guard down and is less pre-occupied with controlling.

Oh boy here come the toads! But do they have jewels in their heads?

Now the perspective of the universe…

That I find to be very, very interesting.

I have seen some posts with gorgeous photos (from James Webb telescope I think?) which do a comparison of sizes from earth to largest planets in our solar system to our sun…to larger stars to our solar system within our galaxy and our galaxy becomes very, very small…and so forth…it’s beautiful, humbling, awe-inspiring and breath-taking!
So I don’t remember which science site this was…but it’s gorgeous.

Then recently saw a post from NASA with a photo-diagram of the “entire observable universe.”
It is glorious, fantastic as well! And reminds me of my Mother’s love of observational astronomy. 🙂

But here was the interesting part to me…

In the first size comparison post, one is moving metaphorically as well as literally outward, looking from inside out towards a growing horizon…

Whereas the 2nd post kind of does the opposite (bringing a balance in a way)

outside-in?

(i.e. “here is the whole observable universe.” And all of these galaxies and nebulas are within a “circle.” The known observable universe)

But that “circle” has now become very sizable. I could even imagine it held within the imaginary hand of a giant galactic wizard!
The first impression I had is “it is bounded.” But the unspoken question is “what is beyond?” Yet to be discovered?

The first post of photos evokes something infinite…something which points beyond itself…the unknown…

The second singular photo evokes something manageable, knowable and written.

Guess it’s just the yin/yang or the journey go out to go back within.
(The whole universe in the palm of the hand.)

It is extraordinary! But it is hard not to feel even here, there is a little bit of a fear that the extraordinary unknown STILL exists beyond those current borders of years of hard won knowledge.

 

 

[sunbug]

I love this Mark! Transcendence buried in the mundane and grind of life. Or even hiding in plain sight! Just waiting to be noticed! This is really beautiful. And true!
I’ve put off cleaning ha ha sometimes. But then in the case of an attic, when I start clearing even a little, “treasure reveals itself to me.” Maybe not as strong a metaphor as the new floor/foundation of a relationship (love that by the way!) but something meaningful to me in its own way: a painting my Mom did of Roger Maris…a missing sun dial…or something else misplaced.
So in these ordinary mundane processes something extraordinary to each of us seems to be revealed?

And it seems right in alignment with the mythic themes of looking beyond surface appearances and not all is as appears! Sometimes, a little digging is required and sometimes the PAUSE is needed to realize oh my God! It’s been right in front of us all along!
The AHA! Hand to forehead.
And there is the treasure!

I think you are right about the disconnection, Mark. So well said in your response to Stephen above. Is the trick then to see the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary? Or to appreciate the simple things? To look deeper?
To go back to the relation of “Thou” instead of the mechanical “it?”
Who knows?
But what a lovely way of presenting treasure in the seeming ordinariness of life! Thank you Mark!

[sunbug]

I know John Bucher is juggling many things within his own journey as you say Stephen.
But I would say to John: I enjoyed your essay very much! And love the way you balance the collective and the individual journey!

I also love the way you include the more than human on the planet around us and under our feet. Especially  as more is learned about ecosystems and even some hints of consciousness in other living beings.

I mentioned above to Stephen.
But how do we define solitude with that in mind?
We seem to always be part of or amongst other collectives in life all the time.

But you emphasized isolation. So that is the need for human connection.
Could it be that isolation is our feeling of disconnection? Apologies, think you have already said this in your essay. Grin.

What of the irony of feeling lonely in a crowd as well?

Is it the deeper interaction we crave? With other humans? With something More than ourselves alone?

 

When you say a call of adventure for Society, I understand that as a call of adventure to humanity, humanity on spaceship earth or the collective of humanity.
Love it!
This is more than the village compounds. It’s about the humans within them. The humans on the planet!
The collective call, such as seeing the earth from the moon!
Joseph Campbell definitely referenced that and he emphasized that what myth might come would need to be talking about the whole planet and everyone on it!
So there is the great collective! Beautiful!
I did want to ask (John and Stephen) about Campbell’s other paradoxical take on this.
It seems as though after Campbell mentions the “collective” earth from moon view, he still emphasizes or predicts that smaller groups (in ones, twos or threes) will be metaphorically entering the forest. 
When I read this, it left me with the impression that Campbell had a preference for the idea of smaller groups taking “the journey.”

My first thought was his own experiences or how he felt about religion (question? the bigger the group the more likely they will behave like a religion?)

Or maybe he was bringing the balance between the Collective journey on Spaceship Earth and the individual journeys?

Or for humor: the bigger the group will the forest be trampled?
But not necessarily as evidenced by your experiences with Rainbow Stephen.:-)

And it is true, there are many myths stories with small collective bands from the Fellowship in Lord of the Rings.

To Dorothy and friends in Oz.
To Spaceship Enterprise!
Though Kirk certainly could be a stubborn trickster but it was also needed at times!

In all these stories as already said…there is a balance between the collective hero bands and also the stories of the individuals within them.

When it comes to isolation, who felt more isolation than Eowyn?
But look at her story arc. My goodness.

And Faramir too. They come together but their stories are woven into the larger tale.

Sometimes, I have wondered if the Great Collective of which we are all a part is a Story? The story which connects us all as we come and go in the tale? We are the story. The earth and everyone on it. Your essay suggests that to me!

So as you say John the question is if we will answer that call to adventure when we hear that special  “phone?”

It is a dangerous business going out all of our doors…

But adventure may await…

And I love the idea of how adventures sometimes are not just about some physical goals, but also have the capacity and potential to awaken compassion inside.

Thank you for an excellent essay John!

Here is to the call!! To one and all!

[sunbug]

Stephen,

I need to go back and re-read John’s essay. But had some thoughts in response to some of what you have written above.

I really like the way John keeps both the collective and individual journey in balance (both of value.) This And/Both approach rings true for me.

Stephen, when you mention the “rugged individualist,” I know what you reference (i.e. one man testing himself against the elements perhaps of the wilds) so that old ax in hand image, which can go so many ways.

But this prompted other thoughts.
What about the need to step outside of the collective fray in order to not only go within but rejoin the collective refreshed?
Thoreau is probably a too stubborn example for today…

But what of Thomas Merton (who yes was part of a Monk community) but also emphasized the need for solitude before rejoining with others?

Kind of an And/Both at play.

Or Thicht Nahn Hahn? Also part of a Monk community. But between Thicht Nahn Hahn’s “inter being” and David Abram’s “Spell of the Sensuous,” what exactly is solitude?

 

Especially if one takes the approach of the more than human world/ecosystems around us and under our feet?

I thought what Thoreau was seeking and others was more of a re-connection when something was lost in the fray of life.

Or when some of  the collective/s around are disconnected. Perhaps it’s the call to adventure that helps re-connect the collective/s? As John Bucher suggests?

I also think of the kid, who has a melt down at their own B-day party.
Do the parents work out the problem in front of all the guests?
Or does someone go to the child one on one and talk to them privately to see what’s wrong? And then the child comes out of his/her room to join the collective of the party (doesn’t have to be birthday) and the child is more relaxed? And starts playing with friends again?
Definitely an And/Both!!

The other thought was on “Myth being Managed.” Stephen, think you have hit it on the head!  There was a similar idea discussed in a different myth blast. Really rings true to me.

I have a feeling that “myth can be managed,”  is becoming as much an idea as perception.

And it’s becoming more popular. I have the impression it’s almost like the idea of myth as a tool, which can be used for a cause, solution or resolution. Not to say one can’t learn useful things from stories or be profoundly impacted by experience or that myths don’t have lessons within. They certainly do!

But it’s hard not to feel an energy of “managing”  in the other ideas I mentioned above. Not unlike the person who thinks they can “choose” hero like a “career.” Misses the point entirely.

I heard an interview of this sweet elderly gentleman (a philanthropist but not one of the big names.)  He had read Campbell and gone through his own dark night of soul with an illness.
He lamented “no one ever talks about the distribution part of the myths, the boons.”
And then he said “probably because it’s not romantic as the journey.”
So next he wondered “how can distribution be made to sound romantic like a myth…so people will be interested?”
He is a sweet man…well meaning…has helped people. But even that felt gently like “managing.” Put perhaps just me. Heh.
Whereas what both you and John are emphasizing is hearing the call to adventure (and answering it.) But you might not know where the road takes you (or us collectively as humans on space ship earth.)

And that’s the journey!

 

 

[sunbug]

Catherine,

I meant to include a link to Perlman’s recitation. So hopefully can do that here.

It would be interesting to hear this in the original language, but I only know a finger full of German words (from Dad’s time stationed overseas during Korea)

Did learn Latin as a kid…so knew a little more of that.

However, when up in NY for dance… to my delight…the old Strand Bookstore held secrets buried on its shelves…including a small book of Rilke poems with both the German and English translation! The book was almost falling apart but I did not care. Treasure! There were a lot of poems about Angels in that book as I recall…and transformation.

So here is the link to Ron Perlman’s recitation of Letter 8 Letters to a Young Poet- Ranier Marie Rilke. Ron Perlman’s recitation of Letter 8 Letters to a Young Poet- Ranier Marie Rilke.

And thank you Catherine for sharing the translation from your papers as well. That is brilliant! Love seeing and reading it!
And I think you are correct, Perlman does “state the essence cleanly.”

When I corrected the part from my memory of “perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest sense something helpless…” to “perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.” It felt different and much deeper and more clear. It took it from a surface view to falling down into that well…

I do love frogs by the way. Just in case have strayed too far from the original focus of your essay.

And I agree completely with you about Campbell emphasizing human consciousness…when so much has been and is being learned about consciousness in animals as well. I’m a little prejudiced from my own experience with loved cats and a 24 year old Quaker parrot…and dogs too…plus I am fascinated by ravens and other Corvids. The Ornithologist and Naturalist Bernd Heinrich in Maine/Vermont has done studies and believes ravens do have consciousness by the way they must deliberate and even “imagine,” to work out problems.
And recently have seen videos where various animals both rescued and wild have responded to people playing music. There is always more to know and how fascinating it would be to see hoe Joe Campbell would navigate that today! Change mind or stay with original themes *grin*

The only reason I went off on this tangent was as soon as you mentioned Rilke…it just took me somewhere else! At least still with some reference to transformation!
I also agree with the paragraph where you mention your work with individuals and the pressure to have a clear direction and make “right” choices. I was lucky to have parents who were educators (Astronomy, Earth Science, Math) but who also encouraged and supported my dreams (dance/poetry/music) and encouraged me to dream. I am very humbly thankful for that!

So what you say rings true about the “essential connection of the soul…” and “not paying attention to what rises up inside.”
Sadly sometimes I think this is a “guilt thing” that happens in society today…where “going in” is deemed a “selfish thing”  rather than an “opening or awakening thing.”

Or listening to that “inner voice,” or “deeper inner nature.” Maybe it’s just me, but it also feels like that pressure to make right choices is held up as the only path to compassion and right action. When sometimes if one goes deep enough or quiets the mind chatter…the compassion is already there? Waiting to be noticed?
So now you have me thinking about the big ol splat of Mr. Frog against the wall and now it feels like an even bigger metaphor…

Both Princess and Frog are trapped. But the splat sets them free…from all the illusions  that were holding them down. Maybe its the illusions going splat even more than Mr. Frog.

And the princess took that initiative when she was pushed.

Of course it does not seem compassionate…or as gentle as the “kiss transformation”

(maybe there is a place for each?)

Maybe the frog knew he might go splat but did not care?

Or is it possible the frog even represented the princesses inner nature?

And she had not been listening to her inner nature because she had to do all the proper princess things? Keeping up appearances. (Yes in some tales she seems spoiled…but maybe she is not happy either?)

So the frog forces the issue…and in the splat version the frog by being annoying to her forces her hand….and in so doing sets her free. In the splat tale even though not as gentle as the kiss tale…I still notice that the frog convinces her to do everything he says until she can’t take it…and voila! Maybe that was the point? Illusions finally broken? Freedom gained.

But with the surface perception of this tale with emphasis of a spoiled princess or brat princess…it would be easy to see how the opposite would be read alas! Too much freedom selfish girl frog is only one who forces her to do as told and she gets married. 

I guess that depends on the reading? Whether the intent of the tale is warning about too much freedom (willful girl with big ego) Or whether one is only seeing the surface and there is something deeper down in that well than just the frog?
That both girl and frog are trapped in spite of all the illusions of her being a selfish princess? And maybe both are unhappy.

Okay you just started me thinking about that splat again. Hehheh.

signing off. ;-)🐸

 

[sunbug]

Stephen,

Yes I am still thinking about Ted Lasso and how much I enjoyed it! Thanks to Gabrielle started watching it. Made me smile.
I did see both seasons but without giving anything away…Ted’s “dark night of the soul,” is tied in to more of his own personal back history. After that is revealed it makes sense and for me as a watcher, I felt even more compassion towards Ted. But that’s all I will say on that.

Unless that was partly revealed at the end of season one? Trying to remember?

There was only one episode in season two where I felt less connected. It is one where “Beardy” has his own adventure, which veers off on a dream and hallucination-like tangent from everything else. And it felt to me more like an “experimentation” than having anything to do with furthering the plot.
However that being said…there were reviews which compared it to Dante…so that does take it back into another type of mythic realm…underworld trip and all.
But I suppose it is up to each viewer to make-up their own minds on that.
I only included this spoiler because it felt like a non-sequiter to the plot.

It is like  Dante meets All That Jazz with the Bob Fosse “dream/illusion/hallucination sequence” where the Viewer is not sure what is real and what is dream.

But other than that, still loved season two. So many characters and beautiful nuances and some surprising turns.

I agree with you about Keeley. She really grew on me. I found myself smiling and crying through both seasons of Ted Lasso. Something about it just felt deeply good. We need more of that…and I do not mean just the veneer of positive thinking. This felt deeper.
I felt this way too after seeing, “Get Back.” The parts where there were strife or turmoil within the band seemed small to the overall picture. And it just proved the Beatles were human…real and human…and to be real and human is magic. In its own way. I smiled a lot watching that as well.
Guess I better sign off so I don’t accidentally leave any other spoilers for season two of Ted Lasso!
And thank you Gabrielle for the recommend!

Have found a lot of nice recommendations from the JCF myth blasts and forums!

[Author]

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