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Last Updated on October 1, 2022 by The Unbounded Thinker
Just like most people, I used to ignore mythology because I perceived myths as unrealistic stories. However, I became interested in myths after reading the African Bushman Creation Myth. This myth made me think deeply about ancient myths. I wondered why the ancients believed them despite their fictitious nature. I intuitively knew that there are some valuable things I can learn from these ancient stories.
I then studied them extensively and I realized three incredible truths we can learn from myths.
- There is a Collective Unconscious And We Can Access It
After reading several myths while listening to Lana Del Rey, I realized that all myths have similar symbols and features. I wondered how these similarities appeared in myths created by societies separated by thousands of kilometers. I then studied what great thinkers and mythologists thought about these similarities, and I realized that the similarities occurred because all human beings can access the collective unconscious.
According to Carl Yung, the collective unconscious is a part of our sub-conscious mind that possesses the history of thoughts of all mankind. Other scholars define it as the ‘subconscious mind that we all share.’ Therefore, different ancient societies have myths with similar structures despite living far from each other because they accessed this part of the mind.
Most of us can’t access the collective unconscious because we are unaware of its presence and value. We don’t know that accessing this mind can make us highly creative and enable us to know everything about humanity.
- Inspiring Lessons from The Hero’s Journey
Most myths narrate the story of a hero who goes through trials before achieving his goals. This hero usually avoids following his life purpose because he fears the unknown. The good thing is that a magical helper appears to help the hero achieve his ultimate purpose.
The hero’s journey enabled me to notice four inspiring things the ancients knew about following one’s dreams/purpose.
- It’s normal to be afraid to follow one’s dreams.
- The good life is on the other side of fear.
- The universe will always provide a mentor.
- If you follow your dreams without giving up, the universe will help you achieve them. As Joseph Campbell, the famous mythologist put it, ‘Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls ’.
- God Exists
Many ancient myths narrated stories about an all-powerful supernatural being that created the world.
The presence of this supernatural being in many myths reveals that ancient men instinctively knew that The Creator existed. For them, the intelligent design visible in all creatures was adequate evidence for God’s existence.
Conclusion
We must stop perceiving myths as meaningless fictitious stories. Instead, we must join the likes of Joseph Campbell and study myths because by doing so we’ll realize fundamental truths that can guide us in the journey of life.
By the way, I’m still studying myths because I need to understand all the mysteries surrounding them, and I will share with you any nuggets of wisdom I will uncover from my research.
You are welcome to join my facebook community; The Unbounded Wisdom Community for insightful ideas and quotes.
