Mythic Journeys

The movie proves its own point about the power of storytelling, because the animated bits about the King, the Corpse, and the Sorcerer were by far the highlights. The rest was a lot of gobbledygook about how lost, unconnected, wayward, and just about any human flaw you can think of we are without myths to guide us and ground us. We all love a good story, and they can teach us a lot, but they are not oxygen. The experts say that myths teach us to DO and BE PASSIONATE and FOLLOW YOUR BLISS, which is pretty ambiguous and potentially dangerous advice. (I'm sure Taliban fighters do all of those things.) I direct anyone looking to learn about what truths myths contain in a more practical sense to "The Mythic Journey: The Meaning of Myth as a Guide for Life" by Greene and Sharman-Burke. It tells the myth, then explains the psychological truth beneath it. This movie is just, "Myth is important. Myth is important. Myth is important." over and over and over again.

I had a strong, last minute urge to go see the screening of MYTHIC JOURNEYS last night, and I was, once again, immensely grateful that I sometimes actually listen to those little voices in my head... ;-)

MYTHIC JOURNEYS IS a beautiful blend of various kinds of animation, which wove story and myth (and great humor) through seemingly typical talking-head style interviews with some well known (Deepak Chopra, Michael Bernard Beckwith) and some more obscure but all equally insightful thinkers, teachers and motivators. I say "seemingly typical" because there wasn't anything fancy about the way they incorporated the talking heads, but the spirit of it seemed different to me somehow - like I actually really wanted to listen to what they were saying. Most everyone they interviewed seemed so real and present and articulate on a heart level, as opposed to just on an intellectual level. They each offered new and unique insights with a freshness and humility that really grabbed me by the emotional balls, so to speak. ;-)

It explored the importance of myth to each of us personally in our own lives, as a way to understand ourselves and our own Hero's Journey, and how finding our individual life's purpose through the vehicle of myth can lead to collective action in the world and profound evolution as a society. It discussed how we desperately need new myths that reflect an evolved consciousness to pass down to our future generations, and how the world is being suffocated by "literalists" - i.e. religious fundamentalists and others who really can't grasp, or are just plain offended by, the concept of metaphor. It also really brought home the importance of being able to see everything - and I mean everything - from both sides, and the possibility that there may never be one "right" answer to anything.

The bottom line, for me, is that it was profoundly transformative and a truly inspiring call to personal and planetary action. All through the simple and timeless tradition of telling stories (hello filmmakers!!), and most importantly - embracing and celebrating our own story as a Mythic Journey in and of itself...

I truly hope this movie finds its way into each of your lives and touches you like it did me.

AMBIKA LEIGH~ Development Executive, Agape Media International (Emailed to members of Agape International Spiritual Center 06/05/2009)

It's impossible to overstate just how important this documentary is. Especially now when we've lost our understanding of the necessity of myth in daily life.

Every story is perfectly selected and the animated sequences are enough to keep even impatient viewers interested. Tim Curry was (as always) a superb presence, even with his voice alone, and my eternal gratitude to Mark Hamill for showcasing his vocal talent.

Brian and Wendy Froud contributing with the character design and animation only made this better. And the documentary aspect, pointing out just how mythology has been intrinsic to cultures worldwide for thousands of years...

I can't simply put this on for background noise while I write or game. It demands my full attention, and I can't provide it with greater praise other than my feeling that Joseph Campbell would be proud of this.