Rating: 
Summary: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Review: "An elephant driver had six sons, all of them blind. One day he gave them the job of washing his elephant. When the brothers had completed the task, they began discussing what manner of animal was the elephant.
"'Easy!' said one [Catholic]. 'The elephant [God] is a couple of large bones. He'd been washing the tusks.
"'How can you say such a thing"' remonstrated another [Protestant]. 'The elephant [God] is like a thick rope.' He'd been washing the trunk.
"'The third son [Judaist] insisted that the elephant [God] was like a couple of fans. He'd been washing its ears.
"To the fourth son, [Muslim] the elephant resembled four pillars.
He'd been washing the legs.
"The fifth son [Hindu] had been washing the sides. He described the elephant as a wall that breathed.
"The sixth and last [Atheist] cried, 'You can't fool me! I know. My own experience has revealed to me that the elephant is a little piece of string handing down from the sky.'
He'd been washing the tail.
"As each son expressed his own opinion more insistently, there developed a heated argument. After some time, the father [God] walked in and heard them shouting at one another. Listening to this swelling tide of bigotry, he cried, laughing, 'My sons, you are all fighting over nothing!'
"'Nothing?' one of them shouted. 'My brothers are all liars, [blasphemers/infidels/etc.], and here they have the audacity to call me one!'
"'My dear children, said the father [God], said the father placatingly, 'each of you has washed only a part of the elephant, but I alone have seen it in its entirety. It [Heaven/Enlightenment/God] is everything that each of you says it is, but,' he added, 'it is also much more than any of you suspect.
"He went on to describe to them what the elephant really looked like. 'So you see my sons,' he finished, 'you are all right--but you are also all [so very] wrong.
Isn't it the epitomy of arrogance and hubris to think that any one theology or culture has a monopoly on truth or God? What if all the jihads, holy wars and similar have all been over NOTHING! If so then just think how many people are yet to fight and die stupid empty meaningless deaths simply because they refuse to admit the possibility that although God may be one, the paths to him/her may truly be many. Thus the ways to experience Him/Her, because of the limitations and peculiarities of our own cultures and/or our own psyches, might very well be as varied as there are minds to perceive Him/Her. I wish the learned egghead would quite incorrectly equating this paradigm to pantheism. What if it were true? Imagine what a world it could be if Christian, Muslim, and Judaist brothers and sisters could see each other as God sees each of them (and us) and embrace each other and live in peace. Wouldn't that be the master key that would finally end so much bloodshed--that all paths lead to the ONE GOD by whatever name you may prefer to call HIM or HER? What if it were true?
Mr. Campbell truly believed that it is true. Mr. Campbell was no spiritual weeny. Mr. Campbell preferred to share his wisdom--his candlelight. I think he was right and right to do so. But even if he was wrong, it's far more noble to be decisive AND wrong than to go through life as a spiritual coward simply because some people cannot tolerate ideas that differ with their own. Mr. Campbell strikes me as far more spiritual than those fanatical intolerant suppressers of ideas and differing theologies (whether they be Christian, Muslim,Uudaist, atheist or whatever) ever will. If you like Mr. Campbell's and my paradigm, you may enjoy reading something by Yogananda, Vivekananda, and H. Spencer Lewis too. In a nutshell, this is precisely what Joseph's philosophy is about. So if that helps you decide whether or not you want to purchase then to that extent this was a good & helpful review insofar as your buying decision will be. You're supposed to be voting on THAT people--NOT voting on whether you liked my opinion just because it differs with yours. If so then perhaps you're a bit intellectually intolerant and/or spiritually bigoted yourself. Ponder on that.
Rating:
Summary: What can I say?
Review: Why did Joseph Campbell have such a passion for myth? Probably because through myths and stories we can discus those universal mysteries of the human condition which otherwise elude normal conversation. In other words, language itself is insufficient to discus and describe the eternal mysteries of god, self, life, etc, but we can use a tool like myth in order to reach some basis of understanding in order to communicate about these things which cannot be described directly. In the course of his conversations with Bill Moyers, he would set up an idea with a mythological story and then find the humanity in it, so that you can relate to what he is talking about. In effect, he breaks down barriers and walls that might keep us from delving into the depths of consciousness, so that we might find some understanding of ourselves in the process. And he does so with humor and compassion. So what can I say? Only that if you are ready and open enough to receive this information, you just might find it enlightening and empowering. It might even help you relax a little and enjoy this mess we call humanity!
Rating: 
Summary: try them and maybe buy them
Review: I would just like to point out that many public libraries in the U.S. have this video collection. You really have no excuse for not borrowing this inspiring video collection, unless you have no time for watching videos period. And afterwards, some of you will want to buy the VHS collection or the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Against The Grain!
Review: I hate to go against the overwhelmingly positive reviews of this series; but if I am to speak my mind, I shall have to do just that. When the series first aired on PBS, I offered a college course on Campbell's work on mythology. We studied the books, especially The Hero With A Thousand Faces and The Masks of God. Campbell's scholarship has a chip on its shoulder. Joe had an ax to grind against western culture and western religions, especially against Judaism and Christianity. If you pay close attention, you will hear Joe making negative comments about Judaism and Christianity in the programs. Moyers tries to object but he is no match for this master of sophistry. He says he finds the western religions "too negative" because they recognize an irreducible dimension of evil which is introduced into the world by free will gone wrong. Campbell is a professed Gnostic, someone who thinks evil is just another dimension of reality and therefore necessary to reality. He refuses to distinguish pain and suffering which are natural from moral wrong doing which is not. Moreover Campbell is hostile to the western philosophical tradition and denigrates the Greek notion of nous or intelligence which ironically he himself seems unaware he is trying to display in his exuberant retelling and reinterpreting of traditional religious myths albeit for his own purposes. He puts himself in the odd position of being an anti-intellectual intellectual. This is not uncommon for Gnostics. If you want to see the difference between a Gnostic view of reality and the philosophical or Western religious view, then consider how different Spielberg's treatment of evil in Schlindler's List is from Lucas's treatment of it in the Star Wars series. In the former it cannot be tolerated and must be eliminated; in the latter it is just the "dark side" of reality. These views are incompatible. Either one or both are mistaken. I think the Gnostic view is mistaken because it by-passes responsibility and allows the perpetration of horrible crimes and even justifies the latter. Each interpreter must decide for themselves, but I believe Campbell is a very dangerous proponent of Gnostic views precisely because he is so rhetorically seductive. I am not surprised that many people today find his work and his views enlightening. But I could say what Leo Strauss, a cantankerous old scholar with impeccable credentials and a body of work more impressive than Campbell's by a long shot said about the European Enlightenment: Campbell's work represents a lucus a non lucendo.
Rating:
Summary: WISDOM OVER PHILOSOPHY
Review: The problem with studying philosophy is that it gives a lot of theories, tears down a lot of ideas, and teaches you to ask a lot of questions. The problem arises when one wants the answers to those questions. The wrong answer is, "Don't ask those questions anymore." That is the answer of Analytic Philosophy. Since (the last time I checked) they hold sway in the philosophical community - I've left current philosophy behind. Joseph Campbell, on the other hand, demands that we ask those questions and (through his works) will act as a mentor for us to finding the answers. The answers not only can be found, but they have ALWAYS been there - and they are revealed through religion and mythology. Campbell, who spent his life studying the religions of the world, will say that "All religions are the same and all religions are true!" He says, in order to find the inherent truth in the religion, one must look for the MEANING behind the METAPHOR and give that priority over the actual nuts and bolts of one's religion (like the way Christ criticized the Pharisees for following "the Letter of the Law, but not the Spirit of the Law."). The myths act as a guide through life - they tell us what to do, what not to do, what to believe, and what values to hold. It is important because, much of Campbell's advice goes against popular wisdom. "Follow your bliss," not "try to make money." If you don't do want you want to do...if you don't risk anything and do what you think you are SUPPOSED to do, you probably won't be a very happy person. The emphasis is definitely on the practical application of the myth, as embodied by all the cultures of the world. To that end, Campbell's favorite subject is The Hero. All the heroes of mythology have certain characteristics and, from them, we learn to live our lives. It is well known that George Lucas was a disciple of his and Star Wars owes much to Campbell. It is only fitting that Campbell (in these interviews) talks about Star Wars and how it embodies these myths for a new generation. There is also a bonus interview on the DVD with Lucas, discussing mythology and Campbell. I haven't read any of Campbell's books yet, but after watching this series, I intend to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Food for the soul
Review: Very entertaining piece of work. I've watched the first DVD at least 4 times and can see watching it many more times over the next decade. J Campbell posses a knowledge base and a sincerity level that instills trust in the viewer. I feel re-enchanted after each viewing. I wish I had the courage to be a maverik and to find my own bliss! (few more bills to pay) One of the best media purchases I have ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Valuable
Review: Joseph Campbell has quite a unique spot in the world of philosophers and scholars. This collection of videos provides the most accessible view of Joseph Campbell's contribution to modern thought. Inspired by psychology, religion, anthropology, poetry, and most importantly, mythology, Joseph Campbell set out to teach the world to seek their spot in the world alive with magic and myth. "Follow Your Dream" is the resounding message of his philosophy, not some intellectually dull and world negating philosophy that is only understandable to philosophy professors.
Bill Moyers does a decent job of presenting Joseph Campbell in these videos, though his questions are sometimes banal and ethnocentric. This may work to the viewers advantage however, for we get to see Joseph Campbell explain the joy and the wonder of life in many different aspects. The series expands to speak of love, ancient religions, and the mythologies of all corners of life. The deities of the Greeks, Celts, Native Americans, Indians and more are all discussed in the context of their importance to the human relationship to the divine.
The advantage of these videos is to actually see and hear Joseph Campbell, whose attitude is refreshingly energetic and joyful. You can see and hear the enthusiasm and love he has for his work and humankind. These videos will expand your mind in a way that it never has, and it does it simply and effectively.
Rating:
Summary: Empty-speak, thy name is Campbell
Review: Credulity, thy name is Moyers. Interesting only if you enjoy hours of somebody speaking without anything to say. Tedium at its finest.
Rating:
Summary: If looking for answers, this may be for you.
Review: Joseph does a very good job about trying to explain who we are and why are we here. Joseph like so many others comes very close to this truth, but alas, missed the mark. Those who have figured out (who & why) will understand my meaning after watching this movie. Those who don't, sorry, you will just have to keep looking. You must find your own truths, to your own understanding. Happy searching.
Rating:
Summary: The search for eternal truth....
Review: When I first watched the Moyers-Campbell exchange in the early 1990s on PBS, I understood very little of what Campbell said. I was still "seeing" myths, etc. from the "disciplined" perspectives of religion or science (psychology, structural anthropology, etc.) and I tried to fit his comments into "my" world view. I have just finished rewatching the DVD version of these taped interviews, and I now understand more of what Campbell is saying. I've been watching this series with another person who is "searching" and he keeps saying "I don't get that." I want to help him "get it" and I sometimes feel I must appear like Burt Reynolds in one of his films where he took a "New Age" course and rolled on the floor and said "I've got it!!" Campbell says, when you think you've got it you haven't. So all I can say is--I feel I've got something more than I had. Campbell says human beings will die for a metaphor. We are like the 10 blind men with the elephant--each with a part of the whole, interpreting it through our cultural spectacles. And many of us will die for our interpretation of what "God" is. Even the word "God" is connotive of a belief system. One has only to look at the ideological conflicts the world over to see the results of differing world views. And, it isn't just "religion" either. Beliefs systems underlie economic behaviour as well. Everyone has a belief system--the alternative is madness, which is probably yet another belief system of some sort. For those raised in a religious tradition (most of us) the notion of giving up the idea of a personal god is painful. And yet, Campbell says one must give up this idea--and that is all it is--an idea. Something you have conceived and believe. Think about it -- "personal god" -- the divine as interpreted by a human (person). Who can do that?? Our metaphors (idea of the divine) form the organizing priciples we address through myths. These myths are the communal poetry of our group, and do what plain old language cannot --approach the divine. Still, singly they fall short. Campbell compiled and studied myths from around the world and he said these myths reflect the human experience of the divine--or whatever you want to call IT. Of course, I can hear my old anthropology professor saying you cannot lift a "myth" like a sack of flour. The best any of us can do regarding other people's myths is interpret them via our own myths. At any rate, Campbell has studied myths and seems to think they are like the many strands of fiber in a tapestry--each reflecting a particular aspect of an attribute of the divine and togther they form a whole cloth. He says these reflections or threads and even the cloth should not be confused with the "thing that stands behind." By what authoritiy does any of us call another's religion "savage" "backward" "barbaric" or worse? Oh I admit, I find some "old time" religions pretty scary and some modern ones too. Campbell says we should not judge...but it is hard not to judge, and if I judge, I use my own interpretation of what is true and good for me. Campbell was not a religious man at the end of his life, although he began life as a Roman Catholic. One might describe him as a spiritual man. He seems to have believed in a higher power or a divine--something. I think he felt it permeated everything and belonged to everyone and to no one and that no human could fully apprehend it. Bill Moyers (Southern Baptist) says his faith was strengthened by his exchanges with Campbell but in watching the two men on these tapes I have had the impression Campbell was talking past Moyers at times. Moyers still believed in a personal God. Such is the nature of faith in metaphors.
| 
