| Mythology | | | | leading us on a path to enlightenment. It is a |
| "Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of | | | | guidance system that helps us evolve through the |
| the human life." | | | | various stages and major events in our lives. |
| Joseph Campbell | | | | Mythology is a record of the past with wisdom |
| Mythology is told through stories, rituals and | | | | helping us understand our journey and how to |
| symbols as a way to share experiences and | | | | create a smooth ride. There is a theme in |
| connect with the divine or sacred. A myth is a | | | | mythology which states, "there is an invisible plane |
| story that gives life meaning and guides us to an | | | | supporting this visible one." This is a channel for |
| understanding of the purpose of life as well as | | | | spiritual energies to nurture the soul and support |
| how life works. There are many different religions | | | | our spirituality. Both VanderOhe and Elkins believe |
| in the world today, yet each one believes theirs is | | | | man has destroyed our ability to embrace |
| special and contains the truth; all other religions | | | | mythology as an integral part of our lives. |
| are just myths. However, beyond the religious | | | | Organized religion has destroyed the ability to |
| specific ceremonies, rituals, stories and symbols | | | | connect spirit with symbols, rituals and stories |
| they all represent the end result, which is | | | | alienating the next generation in spiritual growth. |
| cultivating universal events and relieving concerns | | | | Through the systematic destruction of the Native |
| of everyday life. Each religion has something to | | | | American way of life, our forefathers took away |
| offer with insights and spiritual perspectives, thus | | | | their traditions and mythology. The results of |
| mythology is found everywhere. | | | | these experiences are the loss of life's meaning, |
| As our world evolves to another level of | | | | joy and happiness. The soul cannot live solely by |
| consciousness, which can be called "spiritual | | | | science, logic, reasoning or linear thoughts, rather |
| awakening," or "Age of Aquarius," key questions | | | | it strives for meaning and grounding. Mythology is |
| are beginning to be explored on deeper levels. | | | | a map of ourselves and can be a tool for |
| These questions include: Where did I come from? | | | | exploring the deeper meaning of life. |
| What happens when I die? Why is there bad/evil | | | | The movie Pleasantville is about change and loss |
| in the world? What is my life purpose? . | | | | of innocence. It is a reflection of imagined |
| Fundamental religion and orthodox science have | | | | perfection that is shattered by the realization of |
| trouble with mythology because of the need to | | | | new discoveries when values change. The movie |
| have concrete, visible evidence. This, | | | | exemplifies the goodness in change, new horizons |
| unfortunately, is a reflection of lacking in | | | | we can manifest and hope for a better life. The |
| imagination, looking beyond boundaries and | | | | reference to a road that continues to endlessly |
| understanding the soul or spirit. Myth opens the | | | | circle is an analogy to life with boundaries. Learning |
| Pandora's Box to unpredictability, uncontrolled | | | | that roads go on forever and there are no |
| experiences, and truths of great magnitude in | | | | boundaries allow us to awaken to the world |
| relativity or an "unreal" world. | | | | around us and to loose our attachment to the |
| Keith VonderOhe gives three key points about | | | | familiar. Pleasantville in black and white suggests |
| mythology. The first states that myths are | | | | the loss of potential and possibilities, while the |
| ultimately expressed in story form. The human | | | | color version shows the gaining of a new world |
| soul needs deeper meaning reaching beyond the | | | | full of knowledge, enrichment and loss of |
| rational, scientific mind reaching into imagination, | | | | innocence. We cannot hide from ourselves, the |
| symbolism and creativity. New layers showing | | | | truth or other realities; rather we must open up |
| new ways are necessary for our spiritual growth | | | | to the present and future with outstretched arms |
| through mythology and stories. These stories | | | | and welcoming the new and different from what |
| connect with the divine mystery of life unfolding a | | | | we currently accept. |
| path to wholeness, healing and understanding. The | | | | Today, we struggle to keep alive an old system |
| second key point explains that we have several | | | | rather than explore new stories and symbols. |
| mythologies guiding our lives simultaneously. | | | | Searching for understanding the connection to |
| Creating harmony is essential in creating a | | | | divine and transforming to a new consciousness is |
| balanced life and by formulating our own personal | | | | the key to evolution. Rituals that once identified |
| mythology we can define it's meaning ourselves. | | | | spiritual reality have lost their power to nurture |
| Finally, the third key point is the power of a myth | | | | and give sustenance to life's questions. New |
| can dissipate over time. At some point in history, | | | | archetypes are evolving from our consciousness |
| mythology looses its importance thus leaving | | | | allowing us to see clearly the oneness of life, |
| behind a legacy and allowing newer mythologies to | | | | raising our spiritual awareness, blending science |
| take its place. | | | | with spirit and moving away from untruths. |
| David Elkins, author and PhD, points out that when | | | | VanderOhe believes our spiritual mythology needs |
| we view mythology as inferior to science and | | | | to change in order to help people connect with |
| religion, we see it as irrelevant to modern day | | | | the divine and move to the next level of |
| living. Actually, there is a lot of value in mythology | | | | consciousness. |
| we need in order to nurture the spirit and soul | | | | |