Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth

I had never heard of Joseph Campbell before stumbling across this series on PBS one afternoon. I was immediately absorbed in this penetrating (as deep as Bill Moyers goes) look at the power of myth and it's part in explaining our existence. He has an amazing ability to relate stories to just about any subject or experience, basically off the top of his head.

Imagery, symbolism, psychology, theological philosophy- it's all here in living color from one man in an extended interview that seems to touch on most if not all of the majors man has pondered over the ages. A must see for anyone seriously considering our place under the heavens, amongst the gods.

This series opened my eyes to the possibilities of the human life journey. Now, all that I had been taught on Sundays found integration with the rest of the week. Seeing metaphorically changes everything. This is a long series, but need not be viewed in a single sitting. Even though "The Power of Myth" still runs occasionally on PBS, for those whose lives have been irrevocably touched by Joseph Campbell will want to add this ground breaker to their collection.

This is the single most important program I ever saw in my life...it introduced my to Joseph Campbell's work, which I later read everything I could get my hands on, and it gave me entire new perspectives on religion, myth, and my whole life's journey. The "labrynth" quote at the beginning of "The hero's journey" has guided me every since. And then there's just the simple pleasure of hearing two intelligent men in intelligent conversation. And its astounding to watch Campbell at his age, so close to his death, discoursing on such a variety of topics. Its rare to say a show changed ones life but this one did. I try to watch it thru at least once every few years, and have proudly introduced many friends to it as well. Must see viewing

Bill Moyers was given "carte blanche" to interview the brightest person in the world. Other interviewees -- over Moyers long history of interviewing the best and brightest -- directed him to Joseph Campbell, who had never been interviewed as such, was legendary in his scholarship in history and as a teacher. These two DVD discs represent just six hours of Moyers' interviews with Mr. Campbell shortly before Joseph Campbell died. Now preserved for all of us to enjoy.

The episodes are:

1. The Hero's Adventure: Examines our relationship with heroism; heroism as an integral part of all world cultures. Campbell challenges us to see the heroic journey on our lives.

2. The Message of the Myth: Campbell compares creation stories (Genesis, other religions). And how we are stuck with myths that may not meet our needs.

3. The First Storytellers: Discusses the importance of accepting death as rebirth as in the story of Christ or the myth of the buffalo, the rite of passage in primitive societies, the role of mystical Shamans, and the decline of ritual in today's society.

4. Sacrifice and Bliss: Examines the role of sacrifice in myth, which symbolizes the necessity for rebirth. Stresses the need for everyone of us to find our sacred place in the midst of today's fast-paced, technological world.

5. Love and the Goddess: Campbell talks about romantic love, beginning with the 12th century troubadours, and addresses questions about the image of women -- as goddess, virgin, Mother Earth.

6. Masks of Eternity: Campbell provides insights into the concepts of God, religion and eternity, as revealed in Christian teachings and the beliefs of Buddhists, Navajo Indians, Schopenhauer, Jung, and others.

Contains a bonus interview with George "Star Wars" Lucas on mythology.

I own over 3,500 DVDs and videos. This may be the most essential as it most directly impacts one's perceptions about life and afterlife, is easy to listen to, and leaves one more empowered than any Rocky-type movie. A score of 10, easily.

I was blown away by this when I first came across it, and it has lost none of its power over the years. That is because the issues that Moyers and Campbell discuss are timeless and deep, nd involve the major mysteries and goals of human life. Campbell was a mythologist whose scholarship involved examining myths from across all cultures and exploring what their real messages and goals were. Interestingly many of the themes recur across vastly different cultures. Moyers sits down with him for several hours of fascinating discussion, which is well illustrated with images and video from the vaults. The phrase "Follow your bliss" originated from this program, and while you could argue that it was not good career advice (if only it were so simple) it may have been good life advice, if you are considering the deeper kinds of bliss and not just the evanescent ones.