Joseph Campbell--The Mythic Symbology of Release

www.jcf.org
Winged fish, feathered serpent, the Bodhisattva, and the Christ--images of a shift in consciousness.
This video is a brief excerpt from interviews filmed with Joseph Campbell shortly before his death in 1987, previously unreleased by the Joseph Campbell Foundation - www.jcf.org

[@leona7522]

One of the most profound and spiritually sound 4 minutes I've ever heard. St Francis would have loved this, one of the few early Christians who really got the message of The Christ. I remember hearing one man say long ago, "The secret is we're all Jesus and we're all crucified." The Buddhas concept of life as suffering and that we create the world with our thoughts also comes to mind. Release from the mind created opposites in the beautiful symbol of the flying fish..beyond mind, beyond sound and silence.Peace and love and nothing else. Asking not what Christ can do for us but what we can do as the eternal in the field of time.The created becoming the creator.

[@ZeusATP]

nicely stated my dude.

[@allysonjoyner2155]

Absolutely!!

[@Knaeben]

A fish in the ocean, wherever it swims, finds the water limitless; a bird in the sky, wherever it flies, finds the air unbounded. Nevertheless, fish and birds, from the very beginning, have always been one, respectively, with the water and the sky. To put it simply, when their need is great, their use is great; when their need is small, their use is small. Acting in this manner, they never fail to make the fullest use of their environs at all times, nor do they ever reject what they may find there. Even so, if a bird is pulled out of the air, in short order it will perish; if a fish is pulled out of the water, it will quickly die. You must have realized by now that ‘the water’ signifies ‘life’, just as ‘the sky’ signifies ‘life’. ‘A bird’ refers to ‘a life’, just as ‘a fish’ refers to ‘a life’. ‘Being alive’ should be taken to mean ‘the bird’, as well as ‘the fish’. Moreover, this should be taken one step further, since the situation is no different for spiritual practice and realization, or with the flow of life and the life in that flow. Nevertheless, after someone has thoroughly explored what ‘water’ is and what ‘sky’ is, if ‘the bird’ or ‘the fish’ should remain so that they stand in contrast to ‘water’ or ‘sky’, then he will not find his way in either Ocean or in Space: he will not arrive at the Place.

[@user-yp6bn7jn6c]

Release from bondage is the secret to the nature of the human experience, there is entropy, but entropy is merely a kind of slide and it is a continuity of progress which is steeped, married, in the reality of and the archetype of the simple nature for one the distance between atoms, constrained by the Spirit of the entity which is our abode and its consciousness that configures the proceeding that relegates memory and history and is a tonal process to the faculty that attenuates and endures multitudinousness, multidimensionality that is the triumph of and perplexing emission of triumph jubilee born in the bathing and baptism in the sea of everything being pulled apart tortured crucified in itself the essence of the light

[@user-yp6bn7jn6c]

⁠@@KnaebenJesus spoke of how Kingdom is preceded by creatures like the birds in sky fish in sea and making up a tapestry and organization cyclical and discernibly organized to an observable degree, in parts that is how I am reminded and appreciate this input, that it is about context, as Einstein said not to judge a fish by how it climbs a tree, but be without judgement, but or by being within judgement, an individuation of a wholeness and part of a song which is somewhere departure and aperture, discernment and participation and a race, a rate or pace of concurrence and coin-habitation the particular occasion or issuance one has had and been to beginning, and bestows syntax, grammar reason purpose drafted comported

[@jmassa007]

Wow, this is it. So much knowledge in 5min. Most of this will go over many people's heads, but understand that you came across something great.

[@PreciousBoxer]

Nobody gives informed consent and only stupid people breed. Enjoy your greatness for you either are not from the US or are still deaf, dumb, and blind. With any real hope for a miracle, the Trump train runs out of track and forces everybody back home. Maybe that's where we belong because the only thing we know is that we know nothing at all. Now you know too.

[@irreadings]

@@PreciousBoxer boy you sure did drink the Kool aid

[@Scoiled]

@@PreciousBoxer dude what the fuck are you talking about. You’re confusing. Can you please explain that differently?

[@pinkowl4738]

The father, husband, friend and teacher I never had. Thank you JC. 💜

[@BjoernLewin]

I REALLY don't understand the harsh criticism and at times anger that is expressed in some comments here! People, what is your problem?! This guy, Joseph Campbel, first and formost speaks of mythology - that is something he studied and can prove. And yes - he draws conclusions as to what this means for our very own destiny - that is what philosophers do. If you don't agree with him because you have other experiences, well then fine - leave it. No one forces you to believe this! If you get angry because of what Campbell's says it is YOU not him you should be angry at. To me, personally, a lot of stuff he says sounds very logical. He doesn't indoctrinate you at all! If you feel indoctrinated, then you might wanna ask yourself why you let yourself being indoctrinated so easily, or why you CHOOSE to understand him like you do. ... or maybe you EGO still's got you by your balls. ;)

[@guidedmeditation2396]

Some people would rather there be fewer illuminated people in the world to compete with.

[@TheAzerbijian]

Yes.

[@goran.rukljac]

You do understand that people are the ones who nailed Jesus to the cross. The prince of this world, ego, will not allow people to wake up and will fight to the last.

[@jonashjerpe7421]

Well, the vast, overwhelming majority of the comments that I have come across are incredibly positive!

[@Beiskraft]

I wish my ego got me. Without a healthy ego, life is a misery. All the spiritual teachers and gurus and their theory to dissolve or transcend the ego. It isn't possible. The ego keeps you sane, without a center there're no boundaries and the brain doesn't like to deal with that. Ofc an over-inflated or childlike ego that hurts you because of all the pins stuck in it is another story. I see Cambell's analogies as humanity's attempt to give meaning and categorize and label certain stereotypical personalities, beliefs, and so on.

[@jayare5483]

my posthumous mentor. the inspiration to my own comparative mythological journey.

[@srbudita]

Yeah ... i read his book at 25 and some months later I felt into a cosmic spiral in my own life

[@9one9Music]

Add Alan Watts

[@mbrowshan]

Joseph could tell it like no other......what a brilliant man.

[@iautonomos]

Also Alan Watts is great.

[@mbrowshan]

Classic Campbell.....Joe you are missed my dear friend.

[@JennieBBee]

wow, he really did uncover all our mythologies that we originated from with such clarity, elegance and grace.

[@retrovirus61]

Had an experience like this a few days ago while riding in the back of my friends car at 3am. I was very uncomfortable and tiered, but I remember for a few moments letting go to the pain and discomfort and feeling free inside my own mind, just letting the world do its thing with my body in it. Its like stepping back into the theater of your mind to find that you are sitting comfortably in a big reclining chair just watching the movie of your life play out.

[@Mcgif21]

retrovirus61 Exactly! It's pure bliss even within the pain , fear, or sorrow. Somehow you just feel alright.

[@zazuzazz5419]

At times, being a passenger is just right. But remember: Participate. It’s your will to participate and make connections that’ll infuse your life with meaning. Go play - and know your intention. Practice consciously. Practice!!

[@ebonypierce5976]

I had the same of experience last night while driving with my husband. It's amazing what we can do when we let go👍🏾🤓

[@senoritageorgia]

Wow! Thank you Joseph Campbell... I am so greatful! Whether some one believes it or not, these ideas are an opportunity to explore. I think he would like the idea. In gratitude xx

[@cjwright79]

I fucking love this guy. Any time you're at your wits end, going back to Joseph Campbell will sort you out right quick.

[@artieash6671]

He was such a learned and erudite man, I doubt if he would think much of your ill use of language.

[@tomgrissom5677]

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

[@johnmcwade1]

“You are free in bondage. Mythologically the shackles fall without leaving your wrists.” (1:31) Reminds me very much of this passage in 1 Corinthians: “For a slave who has been called by the Lord is the Lord's free person; in the same way a free person who has been called by Christ is his slave.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:22

[@Lord-of-D]

Precisely this, thank you.

[@watermelonlalala]

Augustine: St. Augustine once preached that, "Like a bridegroom Christ went forth from his chamber…. He came to the marriage-bed of the Cross, and there in mounting it, he consummated his marriage. And when he perceived the sighs of the creature, he lovingly gave himself up to the torment in place of his bride, and joined himself to her forever." (Sermo Suppositus 120) He also notes that the marriage bed of the cross was, "...a bed not of pleasure, but of pain," where He, united himself with the woman [his Bride, the Church], and consummated the union forever.”

[@bobhara7656]

I so love this brother and his work.

[@supremereader7614]

Identify with the consciousness and not the vehicle. Amazing. Thanks. 🙏

[@declanring]

Oh the joy of waking up a Bodhisattva! May i become a Buddha for the benefit of all...

[@mchudzik]

We are all Bodhisattva. Just ask any small child with a wonderment about life who is holding no judgements or conclusions about any of it. Then realize just what Joseph says here, I can just learn again that the things that get stuck in and around me are mine to consciously release now.

[@Scrumpilump2000]

Just what I was looking for! Christianity is sick when it favours the notion that Jesus died for our sins. Christ triumphant is the Christianity for me.

[@RedDragonfly205]

Be careful the primary reason was for His purpose. What it did for us was collateral advantage. Everything is connected but it was not just about us.

[@user-yp6bn7jn6c]

Jesus “died for our sins” < “triumphant” is made or real due to the possibility but the inevitably affirmed understanding of lack of emphasis described in the former, in the same way the principal god or God of the Biblical literature mentions the reality of all the other gods, but remaining of an emphasis most appropriate to its context and of particular summoning, explanation, through right combination. Jesus lived for our inerrancy, died for our sincerities triumphantly is being completed yet having been of many respondent despondencies’ transponders the Adonai that concerns anything that has something to it, which is someone and its emptiness

[@clivebates4422]

He died because of those who prefer dogma. Ego , wealth, lust, envy etc.....replace 'for' with 'because of'. He allowed himself to be crucified to demonstrate the need forgiveness. Forgiveness is not condoning, it is freeing...it frees your spirit to allow you to go on and be someone better than those who sin. Judge not lest you be judged' etc

[@multiconsolacion]

I love this symbology with being here fully councious.

[@brucewayne2767]

completely blew my mind as well

[@jumnola9]

3:02 "that's. not. it." !!!

[@kraft153]

I consider him a scholar, but not a philospopher. I think the distinction is significant enough to merit a reply. He doesn't look directly at mysteries about the nature of reality, ethics, the purpose of human life, and venture coherent theories that sate such inquiry. He contrasts the religious, cultural, and philosophical traditions that have taken form across continents and eras and how beliefs are passed down through heritage and storytelling.

[@ReluctantMystic]

Your supposition is so wrong I don't know where to begin. A scholar stays rooted in the intellectual mind, but Campbell fully realized mythology and understood how it takes one inward, back to the source from which all springs. After thousands of pages of reading and endless hours of watching the works of Joseph Campbell it is very obvious that he was even beyond a philosopher on the par with J Krishnamurti and others.

[@AmyK007]

Very interesting, really enjoyed it, thank you.

[@ReluctantMystic]

And hence the problem with nearly all religious teachers and their followers - a complete and utter lack of understanding of what they adhere to. When you take religious teachings as literal they are absurd; when you take them as metaphorical they are insightful and can guide you back to the source of your self.

[@mikesgroi21]

So he’s saying that the crucifixion of Jesus represents people facing the sorrows of life, and once they do voluntarily, they will come out better on the other side? They come out better on the other side because they faced it, gone through it, and learned from it correct?

[@ReluctantMystic]

It has nothing to do with learning or experience; it has everything to do with a realization. It is the egoic self that has experiences and partakes in learning, but when consciousness alone is attending to all that is observed then there is a realization without the overlay of the egoic self.. A perspective and a realization cannot be learned. Not ever.

[@goldenpeanuts9]

“eyes open voluntarily on the cross” 💜

[@adamjacobrogers9155]

Between Campbell, Carl Jung, and Alan Watts,.. these guys had life and humanity figured out.

[@EmmanuelLambertCanada]

A profound teacher

[@OKandNOWwhat]

Earth life is a metaphor for what is really happening. You can apply dream interpretation to events in your life to discover their meaning to your soul. Messiah Jesus Is the Goal of the Christian message. Identification with His Crucifixion is one of the means to this Goal.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Thank you for pointing out that it’s one of the means, not the only means. There are many ways to expound universal truth. Identify your trajectory - and GO.

[@scannon1111]

Why am I craving some magic mushrooms

[@rgcwow]

Disjointed, hacked up, out of context bits and pieces of Campbell"s message? The world needs, for example, the full Moyer / Campbell interviews uncut, But this foumdation is instead hacking Campbell's core messages up into tiny little disjointed hacked up bits and pieces. They are doing that as teasers to commercially monetize Campbel's work. The very nature of Campell's works must remain freely available, intact, in context, and sui- generis on a "giving foot forward" monetization model, which primarily is not the JC Foundation monetization model. Does this greedy foundation have copyrights on these works? Why can't anyone post these works up on IE. You Tube etc. free uncut unedited? For instance the full uncut Campbel / Moyers series. Why is Moyer not acting to counter this outrage? How to obtain these works intact & unedited now like when Campbell was alive without profiteering? That would be Campbell's will. The Campbell Foundation, in the guise of proliferating Campbell's body of work, is instead fragmenting it for commercial monetary motives. So aggravating! Seriously any effort to keep Campbell's work free, and free of being hacked up, and free of being exploited by the world system, then count us in. Metaphorically speaking: God was out for a stroll one day with the devil following along & imitating God. God was carrying something "he" had picked up along the way. The devil runs up and asks. "whatcha got there God?" God replies, "I got the truth." The devil then says," give it to me & I will organize it for you!". JC Foundation you need to stop "money changing on the temple steps".

[@marcomicelivideo]

This man.

[@sandrazambon742]

Enlightening.

[@rgaleny]

YOUR FATE IS LIKE A GAME. THE GAME OF BEING MORTAL. NIETZSCHE SAID, "YOU MUST LEARN TO LOVE YOUR FATE AND MAKE THE MOST OF IT."

[@1kenneth1985]

Amor Fati - yes.

[@sabina.salander.kreativ]

Two questions. What and who is this "I", that can participate joyfully and voluntarily in the realm of time with sorrow and death? And how can I become this "I"?

[@dalehilltopfarm]

Loaded with layers of treasure!

[@Mcgif21]

Powerful stuff here

[@dharmaservant]

Just tremendous.

[@douglassears140]

Thank you.

[@ExpandingSphere24]

So that's how you pronounce bodhisattva -- thanks J.C.

[@KingMob9393]

Anyone know where the full interview can be viewed?

[@candidx7057]

Pretty sure it's on his Hero's Journey DVD. The Mythos 3 disc DVD set should be in every Campbell fan's possession. I've watched it many times, and have sent it around the country to old friends. It's pretty beat up now. Joe would have wanted it that way, I would imagine.

[@nevonthompson3093]

In reaching a birthday I never thought I'd see, Joesph Cambel has enlightened me to the fact of looking back at the journey. Have I been a hero, a magician, a pirate or a thief's. well it would seem I've been living dream. Some through the eye of a needle and others dreams of surfing down a mine shaft( some how surviving ). I guess know. my journey is of that of the magician and what a ride so far. I'm great full I've read some of his books and watched movies, based on his findings. Like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings who classicly showing the paths of the human journey through life.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Congratulations, and sending you many blessings for your landmark. Continued health and healing to you. 🕊

[@mregas78]

Brilliant

[@dizzydevil5679]

Okay, at 4 mins...what is that moving in the background??

[@jpbetancourt]

⭐️

[@bettinacornilliacmilne7335]

Love it

[@susettesantiago5509]

Ritual is the revealing psychology of our subconscious...he is great

[@gabrielorville821]

Also, ritual is the reenactment of myth.

[@moldvox]

I believe the word you're looking for is symbolism.

[@Livingvibe2]

could if asked me to remove some of his lectures from my now suspended account and I would have. But you resorted to DMCA;ing me instead of helping to support 6 months of researching and sharing down the drain. Thanks.

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

What happened? Who deleted your work? I am shocked this is possible.

[@samuelanthonycovert8496]

Gold

[@JoeMazzolaTheFirstPersonCook]

Why would you be sorry? Since they put the person interacting with the fiction into the shoes of the hero him- or herself instead of telling like a book or showing like a film video games have the ability to use a lot of the ideas in Campbell's work more effectively.

[@miglena2s]

Get it religious or not, still delivers.

[@mitchstacey34]

Alan Watts for people who aren’t completely acid-fried.

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

What does that mean? I have a friend who just discovered he loves LSD

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

Ans he likes Alan watts, Joseph Campbell and other thinkers.

[@Eli_pl4yz]

0:23 start

[@dickparker7487]

Symbolism, I believe the word you were searching for was symbolism. Symbology I believe I’ll have a bagel with my coffee. - William Dafoe

[@sempermerde]

What is the word he says at 3:28?

[@tommartin2423]

@sempermerde ? Not immersheisa too, I hope?! I also found this mouth-fart quite fascinating (albeit six years down the line). It's difficult to make out exactly what Joseph says, but it certainly seems a quite remarkable 'parapraxis'. Based on the immediate correction of his speech, he plainly intended to say 'Christian message', but instead seems to say Christian "machich" - which in German ('mach ich') translates as "I will." Groovy, no? The imitation of Christ is the goal of the Christian divine will, for each of us. And the creed and the colour and the name won't matter, I'll be there...

[@zazuzazz5419]

He refers to Quetzalcoatl - The Aztec deity. The “Feathered Serpent”

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

Dang. You people are smart. ❤

[@declanring]

@z8it Of coarse i listened to it. but you sound so highly intelligent, maybe you could explain it to me.

[@markgraham2312]

That was perfect!

[@StephenS-2025]

Agreed.

[@sempermerde]

Thanks

[@hermelindazepeda5627]

A Miracle

[@patton6421]

and here i am

[@joedavis4150]

... We have to be courageous to behave ethically. Go listen to the Sara Bareilles song, Brave.

[@tubeberk08]

dont know what he meant by, imitation of Christ... although that is a book title,

[@HeidiSue60]

tubeberk08 it is about volunteering joyfully to bear the pain of the world. This life has pain in it, and when you embrace it and go into it with joy, you are Christlike. Imitation of Christ

[@NeterRafi77]

@@HeidiSue60 not pain, sacrifice. If there is joy, then there is no pain

[@aljonserna5598]

That's also basically the way the East Asian myth of the carp that swam upstream who became a dragon

[@fightington]

put ken wilber in that group

[@AntonSlavik]

lol that look on his face at 1:04

[@ruthlewis673]

Someone who cries out in agony, " my God my God, why hast thou forsaken me? " doesn't sound like someone who volunteered for the job. Jesus, or should I say the New testament send a very mixed message. For the gentle Jesus meek and mild of the gospels becomes the one that, in the end, " rules with a rod of iron." He also casts his defeated enemy into the pit of hell. So much for love your enemies or turning the other cheek.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Ruth, these are metaphors for identifying states of human consciousness. Unlatch your mind from the stage of taking everything as literal. It’s fluid. Not etched in stone. And for that matter - even stone erodes. But the rocks and stones themselves participate - and sing.

[@megajanninatorable]

Why do have we to pay for it????

[@zazuzazz5419]

Because the devouring aspect of life is so all-consuming, so devastating, so Sublime - - that humanity has never quite yet been able to wrap its head around it. So, we tell our stories.

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

Whoa 😮

[@rocknroll909]

amor fati

[@scherbius]

Quetzalcoatl

[@mateo77ish]

Thanks for these, but the intro and outro are faaaarrr too long.

[@oknotko]

@italmia I don't think you understand Buddhism very well.

[@emil_rainbow]

Make it happen earthling.

[@joedavis4150]

... I Think Jesus on the cross is submissive, rather than heroic. It makes Us subconsciously think it's okay to submit to any kind of abuse by Authority.

[@Orroz44]

i love myths

[@tori44]

me too

[@tori44]

orroz44 me too

[@joedavis4150]

... The image of Jesus nailed to the cross is abusive, sick, and traumatic. Think of what it does to little children. How about an image of a young farmer, nailed alive to the side of his Barn? Would you repeatedly subject your child to viewing this?

[@aidaspelikis4230]

Bandage is immaturity

[@zazuzazz5419]

Bondage is the state of being bound to something. Be it an ideal, a social group, a person, an “ism” , or your own fears. Ask: “Why do I sublimate my sovereignty??” There’s always a trade off. Investigate. Know thyself. And get FREE.

[@onceANexile]

Another great loss of America....👍👍

[@LBJTV]

Everything goes back to Kundalini rising.

[@bogusmcbogus2637]

aaaactually, everything goes back to some piece of microbial slime that took evolution to the next level

[@watermelonlalala]

When Campbell talks about Christ his serpent bondage shows through. He is trying to redo the religion to how he likes it. But brides don't sweat blood before their weddings.

[@alanak6339]

Brendan Hall you right other men have already shaped and interpreted it there way..... He is too late for u!

[@zazuzazz5419]

Campbell interprets based on his investigations into things. It is not his personal message. Joseph Campbell doesn’t do dogma.

[@watermelonlalala]

@@zazuzazz5419 Explaining the unexplainable is a good racket. Who can argue with you?

[@docgonzales]

Brendan Hall Christian teachers have been on that gravy train for 2000 years.

[@watermelonlalala]

@@docgonzales Yeah, but he is not a Christian. His personal message is Buddha, Buddha, Buddha.

[@Scrumpilump2000]

But there really is no Christianity for me, ultimately, because I can't stomach Christian theology.

[@benisturning30]

This reminds me so much of people who are into BDSM. They always want to make people believe the submissive or sub is the willing participant and the one really in control.

[@BjoernLewin]

Ben A what's ur point?

[@seventy9819]

don't buy the heroic nature of jesus....nope......he did NOT volunteer to be sacrificed....after all the garden of gethesemane was there too......I love JC but not this example.

[@kenbranaugh8251]

I'm not on a cross haha

[@stixnfeet7818]

My ego is the lier I still believe.

[@zazuzazz5419]

Your ego protects you from social harm. It is not always a liar. It puts up the facade. Honor your ego. But don’t let it run the show. One more thing: Your ego likes the word, “believe”. Because it can store so much sh*t in the warehouse of a word like that. Only getting out there and building on experience affords us the luxury of these phrases: “In my life; I’ve seen...”; “I’ve witnessed..” “I’ve lived through__ “; “I’ve participated in ___,” and “based on my experience...”. If you meet the Buddha - kill the Buddha.

[@creekbird1]

Quetzalcoatl.

[@LisaKelly-k8s]

What does that mean?