Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 2

There is a big adjustment coming in terms of our Human and Spiritual evolution, where Mythology and Parables will again play a vital role in the process. As mentioned in part 1, when our usual systems of information discernment fail us ? you ? we ? I ? will turn back to something familiar and old.

Myths are as old as the dawn of man. They predate human history because the latter is only a recent event. Recorded history began just a few thousand years ago and there are at least 100,000 Earth years with human civilization involved yet to be accounted for. All of them as rich, I believe, as those we can currently look into through our history books. Prior to that, it was the Oral Tradition that kept subsequent generations informed. Oddly enough, some of those Oral Traditions are still alive today in certain cultures (Egypt for example) where this missing 100,000 years of human history is available.

So where is this all taking us, this excursion into Myths and Parables? To where we stand right now, at the doorstep of this new era, the dawn of another epoch, the launching point of the new Millennium. At present we can only guess at what is coming next, and how fast it is moving toward us. But it is a fact; change is on the way. Some would argue that it is already here. Right now! Because Change, transition and transformation are endless cycles. They beat their way to our doorstep and march through our lives. They are as inevitable as the seasons. In relation to repeating cycles of change for us humans, we are in one now. The Millennium has already begun.

And what is more important during such turbulent times than Faith? Faith, Spirituality and Self-Confidence are tested during such times. If we've only been flirting with the advancing new knowledge and subsequent changes making their way toward us, then we'd better get on board quickly because we're in for the ride of our life. One that we could not anticipate before.

Now that we're on the doorstep of this Change, this Great Leap Forward, why bring up a tired old subject like Mythology and its companion, Parables? And that is a very good question. Why should we reach back into the mists of time, of pre-history, for something that is supposed to help us leap forward into this new Century and Millennium? Why indeed?

As mentioned earlier, historically, in times of turmoil and chaos, Myths were called upon to help explain events, to provide a forum for discussion, to advance the idea that we, the human race, were indeed ready for the advancing change. And here is the "Mucker" in all of this. The fact is: "We bring change upon ourselves." Then we scramble about to try and make sense of it. Yes, We, the human Race, drive change! And long before we formally understood this process, we had Myths and Parables about it. We always had Myths announcing and/or standing, at the vanguard of a New Era. They were and still are the "gatekeepers" and "shepherds" for the future. They told us what was coming over the next horizon and what we needed to do to get through this inevitable challenge. Myths and Parables not only helped us prepare, they helped us execute the changes and adjustments that are always necessary to the success of such a process.

How are we to prepare for this rapidly advancing Millennium and the Changes we are bringing upon ourselves? We have to reach into our Souls now for the sustenance that we need. There, hidden inside, behind all those roles, addictions and fears we show the world, is the Energy, the Vitality, and the Inspiration that is to take us through our great leap forward. There inside is the "Heart" that rings the "Bell" that awakens us to our true destiny. It is no accident that we are here now, at this time in our history. And it is no accident that a great variety of warning "Bells" are sounding. It's up to each and every one of us to tie into our Individual Myths and activate them for the coming Millennium. We are at that doorstep now. It falls to each of us to step on through.

So, how do we apply Mythology and Parables to our modern life? Is there a formula or pattern to follow?

Jesus Christ, among others, implored us to listen to ourselves inside our "Hearts." Plato and a number of his fellow Greek philosophers advised: "Know Thyself." Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet: "To Thine Own Self be True." And over the years of our recorded history, many other prophets and teachers repeated the same advice. This very guidance comes to us again through modern day psychologists, psychiatrists, artists and spiritual advisors.

But even before the above mentioned proponents had their say, Mythology was there promoting the very same advisement. In fact, many modern day proponents of "getting to know your self" refer back to certain Myths to underline their point. Freud did it. So did Carl Jung, along with numerous others over the last century. Myths are still guideposts to the Modern Era. They're just not so visible anymore and they've suffered from the bad press of being a synonym for fiction.

Joseph Campbell, an anthropological researcher from the latter part of the 20th century showed us how Myths and Parables crossed cultural boundaries and were recycled through succeeding generations. He pointed out, for example, how the Hero Myth appeared in most ancient cultures and has survived through untold generations into the present, to be recycled again. Where do we find them today? In our movies for starters, television, comics, books, and music.

Carl Jung spoke of the "Collective Unconscious," which in mythical lore was related to "Psyche," a Goddess, whose function it was to inform humans on their condition and plight. She too was instrumental in teaching us how to "know ourselves" better. Hence, modern Psychology is derived from this source and owes its very name to a Mythical Goddess from Antiquity!

Psychology, which is my field, is about getting to "know yourself," using the tools of the trade ? testing ? psychotherapy ? counseling ? clinical investigations ? and so on. Pop Psychology is about getting to "know yourself" for $15.95 over a weekend ? Nuff said! Getting to "know ourselves" isn't going to happen that easily or economically. My own experience, both personal and professional, is that this process is a lifetime commitment with every step having its own challenges and rewards.

Back to the bigger picture now, what we are witnessing here, as this new Millennium gets rolling, is "transformation" or "getting to know ourselves" on a grand scale. Already we are being told about it. Economic structures, Social structures, Religious structures and therefore, Personal structures are going to change dramatically. Like it or not, it's already underway. The New Age sections of bookstores are full of such references; and these also cross over into Pop Psychology, Para-Psychology, Philosophy and Religion. Just check out your favorite bookstore.

Looking at all of these sections in today's bookstores begs the question: "Why is such a plethora of mythically based reference material being thrown at us right now? To announce the advance of the New Era is the answer! It is here and we've got to deal with it. Like it or not, our current structures won't accommodate it. We need different reference points to guide us through this transitional period. Guideposts that can override the limits of modern terminology; that can trace their roots back through the mists time and can consistently be relied upon like the needle in a magnetic compass; always pointing in the same direction ? towards the Self, the True North and Center of our Personality.

It is "To Thine Own Self be True" over and over again. Right here, right now, that is the Sine Qua Non of our Era. We cannot move forward as individuals and a species without this most important central resource. Our Self is our guide to our personal creativity, our life purpose and the Divine. And this True Self will take us to the very core of our Being ? Our Soul! That is where we are headed and what defines the current challenge.

Maurice Turmel PHD is an Author, Speaker and Performing Songwriter. His site features Self-Help books, Inspiring Music, Stories, Reflections and Poetry that can help YOU discover how truly great YOU are. The WebSite is dedicated to that end. It also features his collection of articles, reflections and stories as teaching tools, and his latest Ebook, "The Voice," a Spiritual Sci-Fi novel. It will introduce YOU to all the basic concepts that characterize The Healthy Life, both Spiritually and Psychologically. http://www.mauriceturmel.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Eminem Slimshady

Firstly revealed by the fable Dr.Dre, and then debut of... Read More

Native American Indian Art Wood Carvings of the Pacific Northwest

Native American Indian art in the American southwest is dominated... Read More

Was there Always Bias in Journalism? Ask George Washington. Hell tell you

There is bias in the elite media! How often do... Read More

Heraldry in the Crafts--Why Not Specialize?

I have a small website where I try to sell... Read More

The Origin of Americas Corporate Elite (BC)

Ephesus had a shrine to the Anatolian mother-goddess and the... Read More

What is Y Ddraig Goch - the Welsh Red Dragon?

The red Dragon was introduced to Britain during Roman times.... Read More

The Trickster of Folklore

Folklore includes a traditional trickster figure, the subject of many... Read More

Moissanite Earrings, The Modern Brazilian Beetle

The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And... Read More

Bohemian Grove

"Bohemian Grove is 'the greatest men's party on Earth', according... Read More

Feng Shui and the Year of the Rooster - an Overview

Feng shui involves more than just colors and where you... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 1

Today there is a growing need to examine all our... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 3 King Ludwig II

King Ludwig II of Bavaria, named after his grandfather, was... Read More

King Tuts Tomb was No Better - Found in America

Between 603 and 702 AD. a truly marvelous temple was... Read More

I, Ego, and Power

I: - A vowel that didn't appear in sacerdotal alphabets... Read More

Spainīs Flag - A Red And Yellow Beauty

Spainīs flag (the national one) is as colorful as the... Read More

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every... Read More

Astrologers Just Plain Stupid?

We live at an interesting time of scientific knowledge. Scientists... Read More

Lance Armstrong Bracelets: Fashion Accessories for a Worthy Cause

Lance Armstrong bracelets, the yellow rubber wrist bands inscribed with... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More

Fancy Dress Parties

Fancy dress parties have been around since for centuries and... Read More

True Story; Why Can?t We all Just Get Along?

A little girl came up to her mom in the... Read More

How To Get Rich and Die Quick!

It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge... Read More

The Life of Nikola Tesla - Intro

It is not my purpose to claim to know all... Read More

Timbuktu and Brotherhood Too

Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction... Read More

Druidic University

MEGALITHIIC POWER PLANTS:Druidic University:Long before there was a Rome or... Read More

Books on Horsemanship - Xenophon Had it Right

Xenophon was a 4th Century BC Greek cavalry officer and... Read More

The American Melting Pot Myth

Most myths have some element of truth in them. The... Read More

African Americans: Get the Winning Edge

Everybody wants an edge that will give him or her... Read More

The New Age Movement

New Age - A Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness &... Read More

Celebrating Obscurity: A Tribute To J. K. Rowling

A single-parent rose from obscurity in 8 years to become... Read More

The Saga of Puffed Wheat Anderson, A Minnesota Legend

I have no idea how old I was when I... Read More

Nessie, the Beast of the Loch

They were fierce hill tribes in what is now Scotland,... Read More

Cant Afford Illness in America

I had become too sick to live in America.Even with... Read More