Spiritual  This week: The Power of Myth   Edited by: Sophy New Year                              More Newsletters By This Editor   1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions Hi, I'm Sophy New Year ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. ASIN: B00KN0JEYA How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript (Bell on Writing) Product Type: Kindle Store Amazon's Price: $ 4.99 Buy Now! The Power of Myth “Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth ― penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words. Beyond images, beyond that bounding rim of the Buddhist Wheel of Becoming. Mythology pitches the mind beyond that rim, to what can be known but not told.” ― Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth Last month I referred to Moses as a "powerful mythological figure" in my newsletter about hearing the voice of the Sacred calling. You can see from the comments below that several folks took issue with my phrasing, which has prompted my reply in this month's "letter." First let me say that I did not mean to imply that Moses was not necessarily a real human person - truthfully I do not know for sure if he was a real, living, human being or not for sure (from an historic and scientific point of view, no one can be sure - though I acknowledge his reality is a deeply held religious belief for many based on his place in sacred texts and religious tradition). But for me that does not matter. In other words, someone or something does not have to be factually real for it to be spiritually and powerfully true for me. Which is what I mean by using the term mythological. As per Joseph Campbell a myth is not a lie - it is more than true. The story of Moses is one of those that is spiritually powerful to me, as is the figure/person of Moses. He is a powerful figure for me by nature of the myth/story that surrounds him. Mythology can refer either to the collected myths of a group of people — their body of stories which they tell to explain nature, history, and customs — or to the study of such myths. (From Wikipedia) Each culture has their own set of myths. Whether they are factually true or not does not impact their power within a community. So for instance, whether or not George Washington ever chopped down his father's cherry tree as a child isn't important - the message of the story is what matters. The story goes that a young George was about six years old and had been given a hatchet, which he enthusiastically used to chop at just about anything in sight. One morning, he even chopped at a cherry tree, eventually cutting it down. When confronted about it by his father, George hesitated but told his father, “I cannot tell a lie.” He admitted to the crime. Rather than punishing George for chopping at the tree, his father said that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees. It’s meant to be a story about integrity, and shows one of Washington’s many virtues. Author Karen Armstrong asserts that in the pre-modern world, humans arrived at their understandings of truth in two ways - through mythos and logos, myth and reason. In their spiritual quest, it was the mythos that gave them meaning, while logos gave them logic or reason - and for the pre-moderns, leading a meaningful life was based on finding a way to balance the two. It was never a choice between one or the other, but rather a thoughtful blending of both kinds of wisdom. Somehow that balance got lost as humanity moved into the modern age, as beginning in about the 18th Century logos began to overcome mythos in the human psyche - in other words, reason and logic began to be seen as superior to myth, and from that split, the term myth gradually came to be understood as something that was false or untrue, instead of its original meaning, which is that “a myth is a story about the way things never were but always are,” or my favorite, “a myth is something that never happened and happens all the time.” Again, that is so much more powerful for me than fact or fiction. As Joseph Campbell said, "Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth." Perhaps our post-modern souls would be better off if we could rediscover that balance between logic and myth, reclaiming the religious and spiritual stories of our heritage with 21st century heart as well as minds, and creating some new stories of our own. The human story itself is not over, which means there are many more stories for us to share. As writers, perhaps we can help reclaim the balance we lost and become the keepers and tellers of our modern story. See footnote: (1) I understand and respect that there are those who will disagree with me or be offended by my words. Again, there was no offense intended - this is merely my attempt to explain a truth that is powerful for me in ways beyond words found on a page. Thanks for listening! Until next time, Sophy New Year Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.   Uranium Eyes  (E) If life is halved between sleeping and waking - then which is the greater reality? #2011933 by Renee Trenton Second Chances  (E) Each dawn gives us all a second chance to love, learn, and forgive #2013154 by Prosperous Snow celebrating   And Shadows Dance  (E) "...To the rhythm found in all creation, the shadows play but step in time..." #2014186 by Brittany L. Engels   Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2014128 by Not Available.   Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2013729 by Not Available.   Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2013770 by Not Available.   STATIC Because of Faith  (E) Abraham's test. #2011364 by Teargen   Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!          https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form Don't forget to support our sponsor! ASIN: 0997970618 Dear Writer, You Need to Quit (QuitBooks for Writers) Product Type: Book Amazon's Price: $ 14.99 Buy Now! Now for some comments about my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (September 17, 2014)"  about "The Voice:" A few folks were unhappy with my use of the term "mythological figure" for Moses last month: From katesthename Moses, a real person, not a mythological figure, made excuses but in the end obeyed God. Obedience is what God's After. While obeying, one's character is being changed, transformed into the Likeness of God. God Doesn't Look at us, we've got nothing to do with anything, God Looks At His Son, Who Is In our hearts and He Is Pleased. From Elfin Dragon-finally published Normally I thoroughly enjoy your newsletters. Today, when I read it, I have to say I was a bit insulted. I understand not all people believe the Bible as truth, but outright stating Moses as a mythological figure is insulting. You could have said, "Moses was a story figure in the bible," and went on with your thesis. I don't care to have portions of my faith called a myth. Please be more careful in the future. Thank you both for your comments - I have responded to them in the body of my "Letter from the Editor" this month. That said, please keep in mind this is the "Spiritual" Newsletter, not the "Christian" or "Religious" Newsletter, and as such, does not adhere to any one set of religious beliefs or traditions. Therefore, you may not always agree with the spirituality shared by some of our editors, myself included, which is of course your prerogative. Suggesting I "be more careful in the future" may be disappointing for you. From Zeke I don't believe that Moses was mythological, he was historic. This piece was wonderful. Thanks for your kind words, and for sharing your belief about Moses. Much appreciated. From shepherd46 This is a wonderful article, Sophie; however, after reviewing the Bible again, Moses was not a mythological figure. He, along with other people in the Bible such as Joseph and Elijah was real. God spoke directly to him and of course, revealed to Moses what he wanted done and how he was to proceed. As a Christian writer, there have been times when I felt His guiding hand. When a Christian article comes smoothly, as it has for me many times, I know it comes from Him. This still, small voice is such as blessing! Thank you again for sharing your story. It is beautiful and illuminating. Morningstar Thanks for your kind words, and for sharing your belief about Moses, as well as about your own writing experience and "the voice." Much appreciated. From Joto-Kai "Mythological" is one of those words that don't mean anything anymore. It always has to come from context, because the meanings go in opposite directions. Worse, I can think of two distinct "higher" meanings- and they're somewhat philosophical. My condolences on stepping in that bear trap! Thanks! Appreciate your words, especially since I just stepped in it again! From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Thank you for the message in this newsletter; to live and to end life with no regrets. Your personal words were meaningful. And thanks for highlighting my words written to a prompt "alone but blessed with all nature around to make life meaningful." ANN Thank you, and you are most welcome! From: myyadon I just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading your piece. Thanks! Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophy New Year Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. 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Footnotes
1  From The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell
Bill Moyers: I came to understand from reading your books - The Masks of God or The Hero With A Thousand Faces, for example - that what human beings have in common is revealed in myths. Myths are the stories of our search through the ages for truth, for meaning, for significance. We all need to tell our story and to understand our story. We all need to understand death and to cope with death, and we all need help in our passages from birth to life and then to death. We need life to signify, to touch the eternal, to understand the mysterious, to find out who we are.

Joseph Campbell: People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That's what it's all finally about, and that's what these clues help us to find within ourselves.

Bill Moyers: Myths are clues?

Joseph Campbell: Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.

Bill Moyers: What we are capable of knowing and experiencing within?

Joseph Campbell: Yes.

Bill Moyers: You changed the definition of a myth from the search for meaning to the experience of meaning.

Joseph Campbell: Experience of life. The mind has to do with meaning. What's the meaning of a flower... There's no meaning. What's the meaning of the universe? What's the meaning of a flea? It's just there. We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it's all about.