The power of myth (summary)

Myths are ancient narratives

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Myths often convey deep truths

There are those that argue that myths are made up and should not be confused with truth.
Others argue that many myths point to profound truths or at the least contain fragments or kernels of truth, often truths pointing to absolute truths beyond words.
Perhaps it is true to say that myths are lies that convey truths.
Myths and reality often converge and separating myth and reality can be challenging.
Myths believed in can become real as their influence becomes woven into our everyday lives.

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Great myths are powerful and instructive

Great myths are signposts to truth and wisdom left by previous generations.
Great myths meet a deep need in us.
Great myths often centre around human struggle and transcendence
Great myths help us make sense of the world, helping to answer deep existential questions, thus, giving us a sense of the meaning and significance of our existence.
Great myths contain immense insight, especially insight into the human condition, helping us to acquire self-knowledge.
Great myths bring order and form out of chaos.
Great myths help us understand and embrace the human experience.
Great myths are often open to many possible interpretations.
Great myths stir the imagination.
Great myths inspire.
Great myths are at the root of much great writing.
Great myths are pervasive and powerful and can have a profound effect on us and our societies.
Great myths reveal our similarities and differences with the rest of humanity and can bring us together.
Great myths are an essential part of a rich culture.
Great myths are timeless yet they also grow and evolve over time to remain relevant.

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Myths are of the same stuff dreams are made of

Myths comes from the same realm as dreams and are part of the collective unconscious.

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Myths enshrine values

Myths tend to enshrine values and uphold existing social orders and can thus hinder change.

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Religion as myth

Many view religion as a form of myth especially when it comes to the religion of others or religions no longer believed in.
Religion, they argue, is myth that has been literalised.
There are those who argue that the mythic nature of religion is an argument against religion, associating myth with superstition, associating myth with the spread of illusion and falsehood and indicating a fear of facing up to reality.
The truth is that religious myth, like all great myth, reveals profound spiritual truths and wisdom and can provide a source of deep moral insight, thus, providing a valuable template for virtuous living.
Religious myth has the capacity to touch us at a deeper emotional level than cold scientific fact alone can.
Religious myth, like all great myth, is metaphoric, and can powerfully point to a mystery beyond human comprehension.

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Myth and art

Myth plays an important role in art, especially in poetry.
Art helps keep myth alive.
Increasingly, movies have become a factory of popular mythology especially in the form of science fiction and superheroes.

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Myth and history

History and myth converge. Some argue myth, in many ways, is more potent than history.

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Myth and science

Some argue that the role of science is to crush myth.
Science, like myth, answers deep questions but, unlike myth, relies on evidence and proof, even if it may lack the emotional allure of myth.
They argue that science and myth should not be confused.
Science and myth, the argument goes, are distinct and incompatible.
Others argue that science itself can be a form of myth making.

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Common types of myths

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Identify the myths that you live by

Understand what role myths play in your life
What myths about others are you carrying around?
What myths about yourself are you carrying around?
Expose ourselves to the myths of others in order to take your own not as literally.
Step out of your myths from time to time by letting go of all stories.

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Live heroically and you can become the author of your own myth

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