The Power of Myth – transformation of consciousness

Today more than ever we need stories to guide us and help remind about our purpose. It was with great delight I stumbled upon the iconic series of interviews with Joseph Campbell in PBS’s The Power of Myth on Netflix, iTunes or Amazon. It is an excellent series – made in 1988 but still relevant today. It was one of the most popular TV series in the history of US public television. George Lucas’s Star Wars series were influenced by Campbell’s work.

Joseph Campbell talks about myths as clues to our spiritual nature and how that myths can help guide us to a sacred place within, where we can unlock the creative power of the deeper unconscious self – a transformation of consciousness.

Campbell articulates his idea of individual in society, in reference to the Stars Wars character Darth Vader and the choices that Luke Skywalker must face.

“…we all operate in our society in relation to a system. Now, is the system going to eat you up and relieve you of your humanity, or are you going to be able to use the system to human purposes? ….If the person doesn’t listen to the demands of his own spiritual and heart life, and insists on a certain program, you’re going to have a schizophrenic crack-up. The person has put himself off-center; he has aligned himself with a programmatic life, and it’s not the one the body’s interested in at all. And the world’s full of people who have stopped listening to themselves…….

The six part series is full of inspiration with the episodes ranging from ‘The Message of the Myth’ to extraordinary last episode ‘Masks of Eternity’ filmed just before Campbell’s death.

Campbell reminds us that the creative spirit is out there beyond the boundaries and that the edge is “the interface between what can be known and what is never to be discovered.  Because it is a mystery transcendent of all human research.  The source of life. “

Joseph Campbell was interviewed by Bill Moyers. There is a transcript of the six episodes on Bill Moyers website .

Enjoy the inspiration and in Campbell’s words “Live life with a knowledge of mystery.  It gives life a new zest and harmony.… The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.“