Members Only Post #175 – How To Harness The Power Of Mythology To Use In Your Own Life

Stories have power. Matter of fact they’re one of the most powerful tools that we have to learn, understand the world, and change perceptions and beliefs. There’s a reason that most major religions teach most of their teachings through stories. There’s a reason that things like Hollywood have more power than the vast majority of Prime Ministers and Presidents when it comes to how world affairs are conducted.

Stories are how humans learn and a major way that we bond together. There is great power in them, power that you can tap into, harness, and learn from. But how? I know many see stories as something that are for children but that we grow out of as adults. However nothing could be further from the truth. Stories are not something that we outgrow rather they just change and take on different methods of delivery.

We might stop listening to nursery rhymes but we still listen to advertisements, news reports, “first hand” accounts of things, read fiction, tell other people how our days went, listen to other people’s experiences, tell jokes, watch TV and movies, and a whole lot more.

We are submerged and surrounded by story. Stories all of sorts for all sorts of different purposes. As humans it’s impossible to one hundred percent unbiased. As humans we all have biases all the time, being biased is the state of human nature and nothing changes that. Most of what we see as “unbiased” is rather just “unseen bias” whether it’s a research paper, a “first hand” account of something, news report, or anything else.

Story is all around us, molding and shaping us in a myriad of different ways. Very few of which are for our interest. However when we go to mythology we go back to many stories that were designed to teach people deep truths about the world.

While there may be no such thing as minotaur or wings that make us fly to close to the sun or never a barbarian named Conan fighting otherworldly horrors there are such things as bravery, as reaching too far, and as steadfastness in the face of overwhelming odds.

What Constitutes Myth?

So we should start this off by talking about what exactly is myth? Myth is essentially any story that is designed to teach you deep truths about the world through a fanciful or constructed telling. This applies to things from the Old Testament, to Norse Mythology, to Lord of the Rings, and beyond. And with any good myth there is much to learn and please don’t think that myths are for children only.

Nothing could be further from the truth. And also by myth I don’t mean not true. So I don’t want to offend anyone when I mention certain religions as myths. This isn’t an insult but rather to point out that the stories contained within are designed to illustrate points and teach lessons that were passed down from generation to generation and therefore have great power.

How Does Myth Change You?

But with that being said how can the reading of a simple story change you? Well while reading may seem like a simple activity there is actually a whole lot going un “underneath the hood” so to speak. Meaning that your brain is going through tons of processes and changes. If you want a rudimentary primer then check out this article. Put another way reading a story is anything but a passive experience. There’s a ton going on.

We’re imagining ourselves in a different experience, living as a different person. Undergoing the trials that they’re undoing and taking part of that experience and learning with us. There are far more similarities between a real experience and a vividly imagined one that we’d ever think. I’m not saying reading can replace experience but rather reading can allow your mind to do a “dry run” of advanced problems you’ll never face so that when problems in life do come you can face them.

But what to read first?

What Myths To Start With?

So now that we understand what a myth is as well as the benefits of immersing yourself in myths where to start? Well there are two major recommendations I have for starting with myth. And they are religion and culture. So if you belong to any of the major religions they tend to have a book filled with myths from the religions start. I’d strongly recommend that you sit down and actually read the book rather than passively have it told to you from a priest or your religions equivalent.

Immerse yourself in the story. I’m familiar with Christianity and can tell you very few Christians will actually sit down and read the Bible. Especially in different translations and especially the Old Testament. But I’m sure this holds true across most religions. Immerse yourself in the foundation of your religion if there is a text that serves this purpose. Dive into it and read it first hand, get different translations if you can to get a better total grasp on it as well.

Next I’d go to culture. What cultural group do you hail from? Even if you’re an American and have no ancient culture you can go back to your originating country or if you’re Native American there is plenty of myth to draw on. Learn the myths of your ancestors. Start with the lessons that they wanted to impart and gain strength from them.

Then go on from there.

Best Wishes,

-Charles Sledge