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Summary: Seeing Divinity in Story
Review: Mythology, even if not overtly religious, can be spiritual. If you've ever gazed in awe at a sunset, willfully sacrificed and suffered, or (as Campbell has done) had a conversation with a tree, then you've experienced the power of myth and the indelible hold it has on all humanity. The mythical experiences we've had in our lives are ripples in the larger cosmic pool, reflecting in all their glory our perception of infinite divinity. From time to time we stoop over the otherwise glassy waters, only to find that our presence has disturbed our own self-reflection. If we could glimpse perfectly our own image then we'd know what we really are, for the all-pervasive cosmic eye within each of us is our vision in the water. Some of us are better than others at sneaking up on the mirror of tranquility, being ever near the divine spot in our waking lives and thus learned in its subtle ways and presence. Others shift their attention to the ripples rather than the reflection, and still others are lost in the surrounding forests. When finally the beautific vision of our true nature is made manifest by our efforts, we acquire realization in the oneness of ourselves and the pool's reflection, thereby dwelling perpetually in the divine cosmic sea that is everything and nothing, one and many, named by us but ultimately unnamable, and, in its ever-present incorporeality, paradoxically invisible to nearly all creation.What I just created is a myth, a framework of analogically constructed elements that tells us something about the truth of our own existence (granted, a full bodied mythology is embedded in a storyline). But the fact that it's a myth doesn't mean it isn't true; on the contrary, the pool of illumination is more real than ever precisely because its truth transcends the spiritually delusional nature of literal, skeptical empiricism that so often blinds us to a recognition of reality as shards of the divine. Joseph Campbell (former professor at Sarah Lawrence College), here interviewed by Bill Moyers (transcribed from the 1980's PBS documentary), pours out his lifelong wisdom on the nature of mythology and its importance in our lives. And the vast majority of world mythology we see here is religious in nature. It almost has to be because the myths are fundamentally spiritual to begin with. But this isn't really a book on religion; rather, it should be approached as an aid to scriptural interpretation. Campbell expounds on every kind of mythology, from Native America to India to Africa. And with each story, whether primeval or modern, we begin to sense that many fundamental motifs recur. Cambpell's basic idea is that, in the words of Goethe, "everything is metaphor." This means the metaphoricalization of all religious elements, from the cross of Christianity to the notion of reincarnation in the East. But Campbell claims that this doesn't diminish faith in the least, rather it can help us to better understand our faiths and, at the same time, recognize the truth in other religions. But this presents a slight problem. When Campbell is asked if he believes in reincarnation, he simply replies "reincarnation, like heaven, is a metaphor." But ask any Hindu guru or Buddhist monk and you will get a very different answer. And these gurus and monks are the ones that have actually experienced the rapture of truth in the context of their religion, and hence the individuals I am more likely to trust as sources of wisdom. So the problem is that Campbell's ideas come off seeming like an intellectualization of religion rather than a spiritualization. Consequently, anyone willing to follow their faith according to Campbell's philosophy must, at least partially, submit their spirituality to a sort of psychological constructivism. Now I'm not arguing against metaphorical interpretation. On the contrary, the most profound meanings of scripture are hidden in analogical crevices. But there is a difference between acknowledging the metaphorical and psychological importance of religion and wholly relegating God to a "personification of a motivating power or value system." I personally view God as a sort of pantheistic, acosmically monistic incorporeality capable of outwardly finite (and hence personal) manifestations (Christ, Buddha, Krishna, etc.). I also think that the path to God is an inward path, and that God will be found and realized in the depths of our being. But this does not imply that God is merely a value system. In my opinion, much of Campbell's commentary is wise and appropriate, but he occasionally goes to far. Most of religion is man-made (inspired by God) and in these elements metaphoricalization is fitting. But the cosmic structure (as in the monistic reality) is like an hourglass: on one end is the every day world we experience, with all of its stories and metaphors, and the other half is what is needed to come to a complete knowledge of reality. But bridging the two spheres is the narrow passage to enlightenment. If one misses the passage and ends up believing that a single sphere is everything there is, then it is inevitable that the existence of the other sphere will be merely relegated to metaphor. In other words, metaphor is critically important but it is possible to end up on a slippery slope and go too wild with the idea. Metaphor must be an aid to religion, not an intellectual veiler of truth. Overall, however, this is a very worthwhile read. Just keep in mind that Campbell is, first and foremost, a scholar. He himself notes that an individual's occupation molds that individual. Even before they open their mouths, you can always tell an engineer from a professor from a priest. This being said, you should expect from this book a useful companion in the way of scriptural and symbol interpretation, but don't expect a complete spiritual revitalization. That can only be found in your own personal experience.
Rating: 
Summary: good stuff
Review: This type of work makes one consider their place within the universe and the human race. This work is sure to spark the brain.
Rating:
Summary: Crazy Joe
Review: This is the transcript of the Bill Moyers interview with Joseph Campbell done with him years and years ago-a stunning interview-a stunning book. Readers will enjoy the book format because let's face it-when Crazy Joe Campbell was talking-sometimes we needed more time than which was given to "absorb what was said." From talking about the Great Seal on the American dollar bill and it's mythological connections-to pouring over a letter from Chief Seattle to George Washington about the purchase of land, this book is never uninteresting. And to give Bill Moyers due credit as well as an excellent journalist who always knows the right question to ask-and whom unlike a lot of journalists today-actually cares about what he is and was covering. In fact, sometimes Moyers says something quite insightful on his own-it is the coming together of two great minds in a question and answer format-that produces the end result of genius-pure genius. If you are unfamiliar with the Bill Moyers interview, I would recommend purchasing it on here, the 6 tapes, or waiting until PBS airs it again-they always do. Afterall, it's one of PBS's all time ratings grabber. The reason I say that is hearing the way Joe Campbell speaks, seeing in flesh just how engaging of a man he is-allows the reader to "imagine him speaking through the book." To me-that makes a huge difference. This book is a winnner all the way-regardless of what religious background you hail from-what sort of philosophy if any you engage-this book will certainly impress you the reader. It could actually change someone's life in the context of stimulating someone's interest enough in mythology-to begin looking into it. Or, it can broaden your insight into your own spiritual life in of which you have already established. Any way you toss this book up-it's heads. So buy it.
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Summary: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, et al
Review: I began reading JC books in the late 80's and could not get enough. The PBS Series still holds my interest and attention.
Having lost my copy of the original transcripts I purchased this edition without regard to the Editor and find this edition and this editing misses something from the original.
I am sure it will serve many that are unfamiliar with JC, but I want the un-edited version as it changed my life forever.
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Summary: To dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Review: In these tapes and in this book Joseph Campbell explains his worldview (via a series of interviews with Bill Moyers) through the rubric of comparative religions which he taught at Sarah Lawrence for the 38 years prior to his death in the late 1980's. Campbell is not only informed about the thousands of religions currently in practice throughout the world, but also of those practiced by seemingly all civilizations throughout the course of human history. As a teller of stories and myths he is unsurpassed as he weaves his rich tale into a tapestry; like an artist fashioning an allegory which ties together the loose ends of man's attempts to deal with the unexplainable. His story suggests, and quite accurately, that man needs untruths to explain his or her existence, which is largely unexplainable through logical, rational argument. In that sense a Myth is by definition an untrue story, and the proposition is that the myth's power is inversely proportionate to its untruth. The interesting conclusion one reaches on listening to the entire set of CD's is how similar mans beliefs and myths have approximated one another over the course of human history; the birth of a savior born from a virgin, the prominence of the circle and its symbolism of the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, the hunting rituals, the sacrificial practices, the rites of passage for young men joining the tribe, the meaning of love, the meaning of God, burial rituals.and many more. It's a fascinating display of knowledge and passion by a man who loves his life's work. Might one hope that we should all be so lucky as to experience the awe and wonder of Joseph Campbell? This then is the richness of the story of human existence that Campbell shares with the reader. Now let me tell you what I gleaned from these tapes. Mankind has always had infinite difficulty with his attempts to understand death and infinity, and in that regard Man's infinite capacity for self deception is only equaled by his need to feel morally virtuous, perhaps the better to ensure his path to the best of afterlives. Thus the believing of the myth plays perfectly into mans willingness to believe that which will figuratively get him through the night. Hence, the power of the myth! Because the hardest thing a man can endure is seeing himself differently (within his worldview) he will fight diligently to blame external exigencies for his present condition when that condition is not in line with outcomes dictated by his model of assumptions. So, when man can no longer deceive himself he experiences the possibility of an identity crisis; "who am I? Am I not the man I thought I was?" etc. Thus agonizing self-reappraisals ensue or something much worse like the crashing of the immune system due to stress or even the taking of ones own life. Its' been said that that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger and it is within that strength that man allows the power of the myth to endure. Looked at another way, man needs to invent palpable untruths if only to survive the torment of the conflicting thoughts that occur in times of intensified emotional stress. In fact the only thing that seems to open the door to behavior change is emotional trauma; think Paris Island and Marine boot camp. This concept, in my opinion, is what Campbell is describing in his stories. What Campbell and Moyers leave out is how the condition of mankind and the technological advances, which have allowed him to understand it, have improved. There's nary a word about the improvement of the human condition (brought on through the rise of Western Civilization and the Industrial Revolution) so eloquently articulated in Julian Simon's works i.e. "the State of Humanity" or his, "the Ultimate resource". It's too bad Campbell didn't live long enough to read "It's getting Better All the Time" by Stephen Moore or "the Skeptical Environmentalist" by Bjorn Lomborg. In fact, Moyers and Campbell lament the loss of myth which makes them appear anti-free market capitalism and unaware of its capacity for the spontaneous ordering of society for the better. They seem almost anti-private property rights, laboring, and implying, under the dreams of the possibilities that a socialistic command and control economy might provide the greatest surplus for all members of society. Well, the jury is in on that one and going back to the unproductiveness of gnawing on roots, sharing our goods, and living in caves in some halcyon commune, are just illusions not unlike other useless myths that many people need to believe. In this sense a number of reviewers have knocked Campbell's work as New Age, post-hippie garbage. Well, to be fair I, as a venture capitalist, believe Campbell is worth listening to if for nothing more than his story telling magic, and for helping all of us to get in touch with our spiritual selves. However, one should concomitantly seek to understand the thinking of the great economists, the lessons of military history, the statistical interpretation of data and the history of technological advance. And last, but not least, the advances in the ongoing understanding of mans behavior through the decoding of the gene string. In fact, Bill Moyers could surely use some education in this regard. Life, death, infinity, rebirth, these all present a paradox beyond our ability to comprehend so lets just sit around the proverbial campfire and figure out how to get through the night together. And I believe this book seems a pretty good place to start.
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Summary: A Great Introductory Book to Joseph Campbell
Review: For those who have not had much reading into the deph of Campbell this is the book. Although not as detailed or in depth as A Hero with a Thousand Faces this book contains the major philosophical points that Campell is trying to get at. As one who holds a B.A.. in religious studies this booksserves as a great example for one's own journey into exploring the various trends found in the major religions of the world. However, I do not recommend taking Campbell at looking at religions as you can miss the depth and significance that each faith has to its followers. If you are coming from a more traditional Christian tradition you may not like or even dismiss what Campbell has to say and if this is your case I would recommend to read something more specific and maybe more meaningful to you as from either Paul Tillich in particular The Courage to Be or Karl Rahner.
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Summary: Bad history. Bad philosophy. Influential, though.
Review: Professor Campbell had a broad knowledge of mythology and religion, but his analytical skills were dulled by his philosophical commitment to nondualism (or pantheistic monism), which he uses as a Procrustean bed: all symbolism and religion is interpreted along the lines that "we are one with the nondual transcendent" that lies at the core of our being. However, monotheistic religions have never taught this, and this alien worldview cannot be read into their scriptures. Nondualism is also philosophically flawed since it denies the reality of finite entities and experiences as finally real. If all is one and all is God, why do so many humans experience themselves as finite, contingent, and subject to death and decay? Nondualism, furthermore, disallows the reality of evil. Good and evil disappear into the nondual. But any worldview that denies the objectivity of evil is philosophically and existentially bancrupt. What of the terrorists who immolated themselves and three thousand others on September 11, 2001. Were these terrorists not evil? Lastly, Campbell claims that God is beyond logic and language. But this doesn't stop him from making statements about what he claims is ineffable--utterly beyond any statement. This is contradictory and, therefore, false. There is another worldview that recognizes the reality of finite and sorrowful existence, that knows and honors the difference between good and evil, and which is based on the self-disclosure of a personal and transcendent God. It is called Christianity. Douglas Groothuis
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is a great book! Written as a dialog between Campbell and award winning journalist, Bill Moyers, this book is a very easy read. I kept it by my bedside for a few weeks and read in the evenings, imagining a time past when story-telling was an importan tool for developing social order and values...
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Summary: What nonsense...
Review: Am I from another planet? Was I reading a book written in English? This book was as boring and tedious to read as anything I've ever read. I found myself reading and re-reading the same sentences trying to figure out what in the world he was trying to convey. Perhaps the myths that ancients have come up with were because they didn't have any understanding of what was happening and they were trying to describe their experience with the language and perspective they had. They also thought the world was flat and that they could fall off if they went too far. Today we find an arrowhead in the sand and decide it has magical powers and want to create a religion around it. It's true, we have become too fixated on technology and are missing some of the past rituals that worked for societies in the past, but there's no need to make any more of it than it is.
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Summary: Interesting
Review: Joseph Campbell explores many themes in this book. What do religions through the ages hvae in common? What symbols are the same and what do they mean? This book discusses these questions as well as what ancient myths and practices have done for humans thoughout history. What have religous practices done to benefit the evolution of the conciousness? What do we feel from inside. Campbell taught mythology for 38 years at a University level. He is very knowledgeable and offers insights into many questions that a soul searcher asks. Why do humans act like they do today? Are we missing something fundamental? What do the myths of ancient history lack now days? Do they enlighten man as they have in the past? Campbell explores the history of these myths and how society has changed to the point where they may have been rendered uselss in our counciousness transformation even though the sybols of ancient mythology are still everywhere today. There is a ton of information in this book and a lot of opinion. But opinion from Campbell in this area seems very stable as he is careful to explain how he formed his opinion and also reluctant to express guesses when there is no basis. I think this is enlightening. On the down side this book seemed hard for me to follow at times because of the question and answer format. At times, I had to reread to find out who was talking. I think the interviewer, Bill Moyer, expressed as much opinion and dialogue as he did pose questions in parts of the book. I would have preferred a straight ahead book with a different set up but this is what we received and I still think that it is a book to be read by anyone interested in Philosophy or mythology.
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