Home › Forums › The Call to Adventure › Psyche and Symbol – Mythos I – Campbell, Jung, and the Left Hand Path
Tagged: Left-hand Path
- This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 9 months ago by
Mars.
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May 25, 2020 at 7:30 pm #3211
From Stephen’s description of links to the JC Foundation YouTube collection:
“The description of this forum includes a link to over 50 snippets of Campbell lecturing or answering questions, with some as brief as a minute, and others stretching over seven minutes, but most in the two to four minute range. I appreciate having this collection all in one place without having to hunt through YouTube to find them.”
I’m glad Stephen mentioned the video clips that are accessible in the JC Foundation YouTube Channel because for me they have become invaluable as a resource for understanding the mythological connection between Campbell’s: “Hero/Night Sea Journey” and the Jungian psychological concepts of the Psyche; especially involving the identification of the metaphor of the “Left-Hand Path”.
The one hour lecture from “Mythos I” in chapter I; titled: “Psyche and Symbol” specifically addresses the ideas of Carl Jung and how they are related to an individual’s understanding of certain themed motifs encountered in modern life. The understanding of how Bliss is related to an individual’s life course and fulfillment is a major theme within the Quest of the Hero and what society expects is often opposed to this internal call to adventure pushing from deep inside the emotional landscape of the individual. Joseph articulates a key understanding that helps to clarify this confusion.
Throughout his work the theme of the Hero is present as a guiding force that directs the individual from inside their own interior to instinctually follow something; and that the path that is forged takes them to into a realm of danger of an unknown landscape where the unrealized unique potentials of the Self are called forth into confrontation with the Shadow. The Ego resists, but these forces must be integrated into the psyche to form a new understanding required for the stages of later life on it’s journey towards realization, healing, and wholeness.
There are many manifestations of this hero/journey motif or template; which are determined and directed by the individual’s own character. And in the clip below Joseph explains how the pieces fit; and what the two choices are the individual is presented with.
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June 11, 2020 at 10:31 pm #3312
Joseph Campbell did not speak in soundbites. It’s not easy finding little snippets of video, absent the larger context, to highlight on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and elsewhere – but JCF’s team is doing a wonderful job of posting segments that inspire poignant reflections and prompt passing viewers to delve deeper.
Once every week or two I visit that link and randomly click on a link, just to re-boot my mentality with a two to five minute dose of Joe . . .
Stephen Gerringer
tie-dyed teller of tales -
June 12, 2020 at 12:54 am #3314
Yes Stephen; I like this resource a lot because just when I get deep into a discussion with someone concerning one of Joseph’s ideas and am having trouble breaking it down to something manageable or relating to several other themes often there is something here that will explain it or make the connection in much simpler terms.
The one I posted is one of my favorites because it makes the connection to both the Hero and Jungian psychology in an accessible way. It’s a tremendous metaphor for describing the modern individual’s dilemma of navigating a complex world without a losing a sense of self; of going into the Labyrinth without losing that piece of string to find their way out again.
There is so much good stuff here that often late at night I’ll just pay a visit to find something inspiring to think about before I retire; (and it works really well too).
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June 27, 2020 at 10:40 pm #3434
This sub-four minutes snippet made clear to me my lifelong ongoing unease with the safe and nurishing right hand direction, whereas the left hand expressionalism suits so much better, no matter what social or materalistic assurance is lost. Lots employments and equal quits when hitting the encaging walls of others within five years. Yet prosperous though, but in unease to engage full. The offered suggestion by G’s platform was Jung’s archetypes, a modality of the sought expression by me.
Time is a reciprocal dimension: t'=t*√(1-V²/C²)
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June 28, 2020 at 2:13 pm #3439
Yes Mars; I think so. I can’t speak for anyone else; but I am so grateful to have had Joseph’s influence in my life because his insights have helped to provide the tools I’ve needed to navigate many of the life crisis I would normally not been able to weather; and so here is my take on this if I’m understanding what you are saying correctly.
To me the left-hand path is not one of conformity; but this symbol represents more than just rejection of the (thou-shalt system of: “not doing what you are told”); as Joseph is explaining; it also represents a psychological approach of going out past the normal social construct to find your own way. The maverick does not necessarily know what he or she is doing; but is venturing out beyond the safe boundaries normally traversed by everyone else; they are following an internal instinct that tells them I’m going to find and live what’s meaningful to me; not the social order they are living in; and this hero journey into the dark forest may include danger as well.
One of the things that Joseph also stresses that’s not always mentioned is we all have to live in some kind of social system; and part of the difficulty of this challenge is to bring your own personal program into this relationship. Being a modern individual is not an easy thing to accomplish because all around you there are signs that tell you how to live and who you should be and the signals you are getting are in many ways dehumanizing so that your uniqueness is extinguished because you are told what to say and what to think pretty much most of the time.
People are more than just consumeristic automatons; buying and selling goods and services that serve a system; and the human wants and needs in this situation are not being adequately served; either by their religion or by their social order in which they are living. Now how this condition materializes will vary from person to person; but the potential maverick says to themselves: “this just won’t do”; and so they begin this left-handed journey of the Hero Quest to find out who they are by answering this destiny call of their interior; (as Joseph says by: “finding and following your own bliss”); that’s the destiny calling of the quest; the call of your life; that you should live from the push from your own inside; not by the dictates of the right-hand village compound. Something is missing and so you go looking for what that something is to bring it forth into your life and live it. It’s not a destination; but a journey or process that’s yours alone and not a scripted stereotype; but unique to you.
Also there is the Jungian issue of later life; (individuation and integration); where the symbols and the meanings of the life you’ve already had begin to change. Instead of the emphasis on adult accomplishments and achievements; there is now the challenges of aging; where assimilation and meaning begin to take center stage; and all those things that have been stuffed down into the unconscious begin to surface and you now must face and integrate them into this later life stage. The persona must now be readjusted; and the shadow begins knocking under the table demanding to be heard are two usual suspects right off the bat; so this journey really never ends; it just changes forms with different demands. (But the left-hand path deals with these issues as part of the understood schedule of a human life; and they are to be expected; but the good news is it’s your life journey and not one lived by someone else’s ideas.)
One of my very favorite of these clips of Joseph’s referenced here I’ll leave below covers some of these issues in rich detail.
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September 12, 2020 at 10:33 pm #3934
jamesn, not spect on this topic…
“…to bring your own personal program into this relationship…” is our personal (heroes) journey indeed. So much we’re priveledged to be aware of this, were the vast majority of mankind endure utter dispair. What bitter fruit hangs from the manmade poplar tree, unsurpassed failure by irrational beasts calling themselves demigods.
On the same plane, being able to understand the ultimate coincidences happened in ones life and releasing the gains of life and acceptance of the inevitable oblivion, is in direct contrast to and inconceivable for the many of man/womankind. Stuck to hope and old stories told, a promise of better, in subordination to their choosen deamons.
Every human equipped with two hands, sides, perspectives. Yet so few to grasp any fruit. If at all old enough to reach for this distant star. Autumn thoughts.
Time is a reciprocal dimension: t'=t*√(1-V²/C²)
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September 12, 2020 at 11:53 pm #3936
I really like your reflective mood and tone with this post Mars; yes; an air of Autumn indeed. Thank you for sharing your personal perspective and opening it out more. One of the things that Carl Jung said was: “we are in a constant state of becoming.” And your thoughtfully rendered addition compliments this thread beautifully.
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September 15, 2020 at 8:59 pm #3947
Odd to read my critisism of current affairs, politics and social desintegration (avoiding to colour it collapse) is likened as a certain, positive mood. Being from a somewhat political family and education myself (my fathers course and save my own electronic education), gettings these common things in a less fragmented fashion, to ‘solve the puzzle’, is what I consider as my left hand duty to lift it with my right hand. Destruction in ones own interest is the predators habit to rule the increasing emptying land, the barren desert, the wasted land. Creation however, even if initiated by those who prefer to have it as ‘the great miracle’, is of another league. How much effort (&) for what reason, cause or salvation are laborious stones erected, rude or polished, to co-ordinate the actual society to raise from the mud of savage to abundance of aware (sans conjugations)? But this awareness has its price: we are not able yet to raise from the mud enough to be responsible, the now most succesfull species conquering the earth to possess it, to mark us in the landscape, mutulating ourselves in bloody wars, and act and live as sincere concious beings, gazing at the stars we’re made off. The tidal waves of human kind are verocious nibblings and of short swell. Fall is coincidence of fruit and decay – my most favourite season by so bittersweet memories. But due south blossom awakes.
Let us keep on track with our guiding helmsman JC. What’s in an abbreviation!
Time is a reciprocal dimension: t'=t*√(1-V²/C²)
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- 2. Respect Others’ Opinions These are conversations, not conversions. “Conversation” comes from the Latin words con (“with”) and verso (“opposite”). We expect diverse opinions to be expressed in these forums, and welcome them – but just because you disagree with what someone has to say doesn’t mean they don’t get to say it.
- 3. Come Clear of Mind In addition to expanding the mind, certain substances (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, LSD, etc.) have been known to impair good judgment. We recommend you keep a journal while under the influence and then later make more rational determinations regarding what is appropriate to share in this forum.
- 4. Respect This Space The Joseph Campbell Foundation, a US not-for-profit organization, offers this forum as part of our mission of continuing Mr. Campbell’s work of increasing the level of public awareness and public discourse with regards to comparative mythology.
- 5. Avoid Contemporary Politics Given the volatile nature of contemporary political discourse, we ask that members steer clear of candidates or current political controversies. Forum members come from across the political spectrum. There are other fora across the internet for discussing myth and politics.
- 6. Be Polite Forum members come from many different sets of cultural assumptions, and many different parts of the world. Please refrain from language whose only purpose is offense. If it helps, imagine your grandmother reading forum posts – as perhaps she may, since other folks’ grandmothers are.
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- 8. Refrain from Self-Promotion Announcements linking to your new blog post, book, workshop, video clip, etc., will be deleted, unless they are demonstrably part of the greater conversation. The only exception is the Share-Your-Work Gallery, a subforum within The Conversation with a Thousand Faces. If you have art, poetry, writing, or links to music and other work you would like to share, do so here.
- 9. Search First If you’re thinking of starting a new topic, asking a question, etc., please take advantage of the search functionality of this forum! You can find the search field above the list of forums on the main page of the forums. Also, consider searching on the greater JCF website – this site is full of amazing resources on a wide variety of topics, all just a search away.
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The Conversations of a Higher Order (COHO) consists of ten public forums loosely focused on a central theme. The forums are listed, with a brief description, on the COHO home page (each forum listed on that page also appears in the same order in the menu in the lefthand column – that menu stays with you as you move about the forums). This also shows who created the last post in each forum, and when.
When you visit a specific forum you will see the list of topics people have posted so far in that forum. Click on one to read that post and any replies. Feel free to add a reply if you have something to share, or just enjoy following the conversation. You can return to the COHO home page by clicking the "Home>Forums" breadcrumb at the top of the page – or move directly to a different forum by clicking on one of the listings from the forum menu in the lefthand column of the page.
If there’s anything you want to introduce – a question, an observation, or anything related to Campbell, myth, or one of his many related interests – create a topic in the forum you feel comes closest to including the subject you want to discuss. Most forums include in their description a link to a corresponding part of the website. For example, The Work of Joseph Campbell description has a link to all his published works: you can of course focus on a specific book or lecture, but also any topic related to the ideas arising out of his work is welcome in that forum.
When posting a new topic or a reply to an existing conversation, check the “Notify me of follow-up replies via email” box (conversations unfold at a leisurely pace: someone might need a few days to let what you write simmer in the back of their brain – this is how you find out someone has replied), and then click Submit. You can also click "Favorite" (top of the page on the right when reading forum threads) to be notified of all responses in a discussion.
Click on the Profile link under your user name in the upper left corner above the forum menu. Then select Edit and follow the prompts to upload an image file from your computer.
When you finish your post, before clicking the Submit button check the box at the bottom of your post that reads, “Notify me of follow-up replies via email.” You can also click on “Subscribe” (in the upper right corner of a thread) to follow the complete conversation (often a comment on someone else’s post might inspire a response from you).
We ask that when linking to web pages, please avoid posting the raw URL address in your text. Highlight the relevant text you'd like to link in your post, then select the link icon in your formatting bar above your post (immediately to the left of the picture icon, this looks like a diagonal paperclip). This opens a small field:
Paste the URL of the page you are linking to into the field provided. Then click on the gear icon to the right of that field, and check the box that says “Open link in a new tab” (so readers can see your link without having to navigate back to the forums), before clicking the green “Add Link” button.
To add an image to your post, click on the image icon in the menu at the top of your post (it's the icon on the far right):
In the Source field of the pop-up form, click on the camera icon on the far right. This should give you access to the files on your PC / laptop, or the photo library on your mobile device. Select the image, and add a brief description (e.g., "Minoan Goddess") in the appropriate field.
In the dimensions field, you only need enter the first number (240 is a good size for starters; if too small click the edit icon and increase that number). Then select OK.
Click on the name of the person you want to contact (under their avatar in a any of their posts). This link will take you to that member’s profile page. Then click on “Send a Message,” and compose.
If you witness or experience behavior that you feel is contrary to the letter or spirit of these guidelines, please report it rather than attacking other members. Do this by choosing the Report button (next to “Reply”) at the top of the post, and select a reason from the dropdown menu (Spam, Advertising, Harassment, or Inappropriate Content). The moderation team will be notified. Depending on the degree of bad behavior, further posts might require approval, or the user could be blocked from posting and even banned.
Visit the Contact the Foundation page, select Community and Social Media, and fill out the contact form.