Follow Your Bliss

From Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth with Bill Moyers, Episode 4, "Sacrifice and Bliss" - the mythologist and the journalist discuss the idea of bliss (Sanskrit - ananda), and how it can come to serve as a wellspring in one's life. "Follow your bliss, and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be."
Watch the whole series on KZbin:
• Joseph Campbell and Th...

[@timcisneros1351]

No greater advice has ever been given. I am a husband (married 35 years), Father and Grandfather. My life's work has been as a Craftsman in Metal and Wood. After renting for almost 40 years my wife and I are building a cabin in the mountains on a parcel of "raw" land we purchased 7 years ago. We are building it with our own hands from lumber I milled myself. It is 750 miles away from our current rental. Leaving in the morning for 3 weeks to work on it. Always a great adventure. Each trip we get closer to our goal but it is in the struggle, the sacrifices and the hardships that we find the most joy. It's not in the destination but the journey that I find deep meaning. I used to think my "bliss" was my work but it is so much deeper than that. Waking up at our campsite in the darkness of early morning, building a fire, brewing the first cup of coffee, cooking breakfast then getting on the road to our cabin. It's all of that and more.......Follow your bliss and don't be afraid.

[@scottwyckoff5483]

I agree- blessings to you

[@extremespeeeed]

The journey, indeed, being mindful, and being present, having gratitude

[@coreycox2345]

"If you have an intuition of what your bliss is, follow it."

[@veronicabrown1194]

For sure. Thank you for your advice.

[@jennifersiagian]

rather Follow Him Jesus Christ the Word of God the Truth and the life.. www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Following-Jesus/

[@E.J.Crunkleton]

@@jennifersiagian JC would have fully encouraged a person to follow the teachings of Christ. After all he had a message of loving kindness which is central to the human spiritual experience.

[@ALAR523]

sadly, I still can't figure out mine

[@SamA-nj7yr]

@@ALAR523you can otherwise you wouldn’t be watching this video. What brought you here?

[@aikidog5]

I read somewhere that, after some students heard "follow your bliss" as "do what you please", Joe was heard muttering :"I should have said Follow your Blisters"

[@beverlyjohnsondc]

That would be the story of my life

[@rufuspipemos]

This portion of the Power of Myth stuck with me and in 2005, at age 38 I quit my job in finance and started out all over at age 38 at $12/hour starting at the bottom in the wine industry. I even considered naming my wine "My Bliss."

[@bremlquan]

Started out all over after a career in finance. Well done sir

[@wintermonroe2894]

Wow I'm 37 yrs and I'm about to start over myself - looks like I gotta alot of encouragement & inspiration from these 2 comments... .....thank u for sharing 💯💕

[@hellas_crater]

I will never forget - as long as I live - seeing this series when it first aired in 1988. I'm Australian, & it aired at 2o'clock on Sunday afternoons on the ABC (back when the ABC was still a reputable institution). I was 16, going on 17, finishing high school, & couldn't figure out why I just wasn't interested in the same sort of things that my peers were interested in. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't some sad loner: I played sport & had fun like everyone else, but I was also a great reader & felt, on some intuitive level, that life had to mean ....... "more." Then one Sunday I was home alone, sitting on the couch not really focussing on anything, when the first episode came on: I don't think I moved - hell, I'm not sure I even BREATHED - for the full broadcast! Finally, something that spoke to my soul!! It's an overused term these days, but the man was a GENIUS!! But a humble genius. This series changed ..... my ..... life!! I pestered my father to buy me a copy from the ABC shops (on VHS tape!!) & I must have rewatched it 30 times, before upgrading to the DVD version. I pretty much devoured anything the man wrote, published, or spoke about on TV or radio. The sheer breadth of his general knowledge is astonishing, & made me feel incredibly jealous of his students at Sara Lawrence College. To have such an erudite, passionate & yet humble mentor, so obviously in love with the job of imparting knowledge to young people searching for truth & understanding - I hope they appreciated it while they had it!! He was woefully under-represented in the Australian Higher Education curriculum (except in some psych courses), although that's been rectified since. But now, we're in a world that just doesn't care about this kind of knowledge - go to uni, get a job coding AI, fall under the spell of the latest vapid "influencer" on IG, believe what the media machine tells you, don't read anything unrelated to your job, pay off your mortgage (& screw over poor renters by buying a "property portfolio"), holiday in the latest "hotspot" with people just like you, equally uninterested in the deep questions ...... what a horrible future we're building; what a limited species we are (voluntarily) becoming. I would say that "The Power of Myth" should be required reading/viewing for high school students today - but I suspect most of it would go over their (entirely uninterested) heads - & the current generation of teachers ain't much better, they probably wouldn't get it either!! I've tried to get my children & younger relatives to watch it, with limited success. Anyway, that's my rant. Thank you, Joseph & Bill, from the bottom of my heart, this 6-odd hours of tv perfection will live with me forever .....

[@444rand]

Great post. Seattle 💜🐬🚘🍀🎶

[@r.t.aegean3236]

What seems to be an important corollary to "follow your bliss" - as a way of realizing one's unique potential - seems to come from the manifesting of, "you begin to deal with people who are in the field of your bliss," as Mr Campbell put it so eloquently.

[@concertinamadrigals4058]

Campbell was a treasure to those seeking deeper self-awareness through mythology. "The Power of Myth" is something I still recommend to people seeking advice from me on their own journeys.

[@Patrix8558]

book or show? I see that the book should be just a transcription of the show, but maybe show adds something more since it is also a visual medium?

[@concertinamadrigals4058]

@@Patrix8558 Depends on the individual. The show used still photos of paintings and other imagery, but otherwise you were just seeing shot-reverse-shot of Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell.

[@Patrix8558]

@@concertinamadrigals4058 Aha. And does the book uses some images, as Hero with Thousand Faces does? Or it's just a text?

[@concertinamadrigals4058]

@@Patrix8558 I don't have my copy handy to check, but I think there were black-and-white photos of some of the images in the series...

[@Patrix8558]

@@concertinamadrigals4058 great, thanks!

[@christinarobbinsf.k.a.parr89]

Bliss - That which you cannot NOT do! Creating, art, jewelry, painting...hours pass without realizing. Start with the activities you get so emersed in that time passes without an awareness. I studied Campbell in college, but am just now really getting it.

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

Bill Moyers said in the introduction of the interviews that Joseph Campbell was the most spiritual man he ever met --- and he's met quite a few who were considered "spiritual."

[@DerekLyons]

I love Joseph and is one of my Heroes of all time.

[@sdustin7986]

I say my greatest teacher Derek. Life changing teaching.

[@sdustin7986]

I really like his final comment . Compassion.

[@sdustin7986]

Wherever you are IF you are following your bliss. WORD.

[@KyrieEleison7]

I am crying watching this. Joseph Campbell has always been that Father/Grandfather Spirit. 🙏🏽 Baba Joseph.

[@zuzannavee9558]

I saw this series in England in the 80s. I have remembered this segment all the rest of my life. The best! I've been taking his advice ever since - it's been a process, but worth the effort.

[@JustVeeJay]

I was introduced to Joseph Campbell e few days ago. I was at a crossroad in my life. The message to follow my bliss helped me overcome my fear.

[@monolithsound]

Two years after, has his advice helped you to direct your path toward bliss? I watched this program on its second or third run on PBS years ago and boy has it been a life altering blessing!

[@MBrusaZappellini]

I always share Joseph Campbell interviews with friends at some sort of crossroads. His explanations and stories have helped me tremendously over the decades since I first learned of him

[@marciemccabe3990]

I love him so much! When I first saw this it paralyzed me. I knew I was listening to something profound.

[@satnamo]

Me too

[@mortalflower1]

I could listen to this man for hours! He changed my life.

[@user-oc5xt7nl7e]

Please tell us more.

[@mortalflower1]

@@user-oc5xt7nl7e Well, he put the pieces together for me, resolving my conundrum with monotheism (Christianity). When I could see the common threads throughout all main religious streams echoing down through the ages, I got it: "God" is a universal experience and this is naturally going to filter through different mortal lenses in different ways.

[@cowboyofscience7611]

This man is responsible for the Transformation of many lives....mine included.

[@chasmenear7130]

Dr. Campbell was (and IS) a never ending resource of inspiration- which was HIS bliss, and very likely still is!

[@markshawfiddle]

This man’s words and expression touches my soul.

[@shirleyniedzwiecki1104]

He’s a great spirit guide. Joseph explains the unseen workings of our lives that we are only aware of when he gives it language

[@vivianhudacek1556]

So blessed to have had a professor who was a fan of Dr. Campbell & who was truly a master teacher! I followed my bliss into 40+year teaching career & was blessed in return!

[@iamwe7035]

One night at my old place, I went into a trance.I started following my bliss after that experience. It's been almost eight years and life has completely changed for the better. Sometimes I forget but not for long. cheers

[@vlrkst]

An amazing individual. The depth of his expression, the energy, the honesty and timelessness in these lectures makes one believe and do more for life even in the time of hopelessness. Thank you Joseph Campbell for being. Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@brigidrohde736]

Inspirations of awakening! Let love shine over all judgement and conditions as we release labels and resistance breaking through to the pure essence of LOVE ❤️

[@williamkelly1519]

My life changed 15 years ago when I discovered the path. JC is a treasure and his message is always w/me.

[@detodounpoco37]

drinking daily from the source of the Mystery, thanks Joseph

[@jameschavez6400]

The way he analyzed with eye movements ,the shrug of his lines on his forehead the bliss of all that Joe they can’t take that away from me.

[@johnstutzer8664]

I have watched this segment countless times since it appeared on KZbin, and the original series in its entirety when it first aired on PBS. It seems to pop up unexpectedly when I am struggling most to choose my path forward. When I am in Bliss, the difficulties are there, but just incidental to the process. I say this to those who think that Bliss is some of state of euphoria that obliterates conflict and struggle. It is a state of being aware that one is doing that which matters to oneself, beyond the pre-chosen options society would have us conform to. Not many of us do, yet all of us can and should prefer Bliss over dogma.

[@peedee1262]

RIP Sir thank you from us all earthlings for your much evolved soul n enriching our souls n life experiences on earth 🙏

[@peterpaulparker]

The more is learn about sanksrit and the Veda's, the more I love the teachings left for us by our ancestors. Joeseph Cambell is a marvel. He really gets it. I have followed Ananda leaving a well paid job and mortgage behind me to pursue a career as a musician. I have more than survived doing that, and had the highs and the lows all musicians go through. I am now following my ananda of helping people with meditation and Ki Gong, which had added even more depth to my life, Listening to Joseph Cambell Speak inspires me to go deeper and do more. Thanks for sharing these interviews here. I have seen them on Gaia but these are little refreshers of longer interviews. And they are amazing. I am most grateful to you. Be well and keep shining. :)

[@saidyahya7344]

Marvelous!!

[@davoid0716]

this interview is a treasure, I wish there would be 100 hours of this

[@Levelupliv]

I love it... such a good interviewer, listens carefully and often seems to know the works and what he was talking about with his guest from carl sagan to campbell. He really cared about his guest and tried to get the best out of them... unlike present day Interviewer, who are often uncouth and rude... does not have any really interest or know the hosts work at all. Dearly miss his kind of tv hosts.

[@E.J.Crunkleton]

Truly a prophet, his words and works changed my life.

[@pereraddison932]

... Dear, Ernest; truly, an erstwhile name. Genuinely sincere, and trustworthy, no-? Thee reason I reply-? Call it a whimsical hunch, or a gut reaction. Prophecy, is our inherited destiny. A tiny dest. Dest for destination. Could be a dest for destruction, or a dest for destinction. However, it's an earnest re-quest iam making, here, now, and it is this. In what way, specifically, did Joe, change your life-? Kind regards from OZ... PDA...

[@jennifersiagian]

Rather Jn 17:17 A Prophet?? really oh wow you are sorely decived.. i pray for you..

[@coreycox2345]

@@jennifersiagian I think of Joseph Campbell more as a student and teacher than a prophet.

[@jennifersiagian]

I am just sharing with you Where is Truth and it's not on PBS.. Jn 17:17 ok God bless

[@E.J.Crunkleton]

@@pereraddison932 Hey Peter. You did not tag me so I never received a notification for your reply eight months ago. To awnser you question. He identified parallels between different religious practices, and showed how most belief systems were variations on a few central themes. Sacrifice, love, supplication, enlightenment, just to name a few. In my case, I was a Christian who was convinced that there was only one path to truth, because I was told the rest of the world was evil and needed to be destroyed. Once I learned other religious faiths possessed the same values I was taught, I began to open up my awareness to include spiritual teachings from all faiths. So in essence he stimulated spiritual growth in me, by increasing my awareness of the universality of humanity's spiritual experience. Thanks for your question and patience with my reply.

[@Ziadha]

I love this man!

[@peacefulguy4145]

"Waters of eternal life wherever you are" nice

[@0otee]

You were lucky to have him for a half hour conference as a student… every fortnight🌺💫🌺

[@In2MeUcU]

I remember watching his series on PBS as a young man in wonderment, so deep and so profound. Awoken is he! ❤️👁️❤️

[@bodhi9464]

Ah Joseph Campbell - have heard so much about his books - this just came up in my feed … what an interesting man. Will have to buy one of his books 📖 now. 🙏🏼🇦🇺

[@reginalynnbush]

These discussions are very pleasurable to listen to and watch. Thank you for sharing them.

[@thesearchforenlightenment2543]

Love Joseph. Campbell!! See you there!!

[@magolden-vg2ef]

So sublime and simple. Campbell's succinct words still ring true!

[@jo3y1286]

Thank You for Posting this video. When I heard "Hidden Hands" @3:25 it rang a bell of the similarities of The North Node and South Node, in the astrology world. These are our karmic debts that we all bring to this world (lifetime). Follow the North Node, which is the road not yet traveled, that's where the "Hidden Hands" appear and help you along your way. Has worked for me. The South Node is what you bring to this world from your past lives, good or bad, but this is where life repeats it's lessons, and sees if you learned or need to learn again, as many lifetimes needed...We are all here to grow, nature teaches us that.

[@mansamusa8191]

bruh

[@peedee1262]

Awesome n thank u n may da force n light be with you always 🙏

[@mansamusa8191]

@@peedee1262 star wars 😂

[@goldenpeanuts9]

@@mansamusa8191 was a documentary :)

[@halawa_7]

This man is a treasure.

[@ezekielsbot]

This is one of my favorite transmissions. Thank you Mr. Campbell!

[@jessemansfield408]

I remember watching this video in my mid twenties not sure what to do with my life. Shortly I realized that I was responsible for my own bliss and happiness. I made a change of careers and my life has never been the same. Thanks Joseph Campbell RIP 🙏

[@calebquimby]

Spirtually really is a new way of thinking and viewing the world

[@danieladdled]

The algorithm brought me here after watching Maggie Mae Fish's excellent two part essay on the limitations of Campbell's theories.

[@stephobindmo678]

Beyond Beautiful 🤍🙏🏽🤍 ~ So wonderful ~

[@steelyman08]

I always loved this series of talks when I was younger. I was truly inspired by it. But my fool's journey wound up smashed to pieces on the rocks. Still, it was worth a try!

[@rokpeter8012]

What do you mean?

[@steelyman08]

@@rokpeter8012 Just that I followed my bliss in the wrong way because I was too young to really get it ~ went barking up the wrong trees for the wrong reasons, etc. (-:

[@AvaGrail]

I love this clip so much

[@pdxfun4888]

He was gifted to explain complex theories to lay people

[@susancuddy9742]

I love that meditation Sat Chit Ananda

[@bwoutchannel6356]

Over lunch the deacon explained that he had studied at the University of Chicago under Campbell’s friend, the anthropologist Mircea Eliade. The deacon informed me that on his deathbed Joseph Campbell asked for a Catholic priest and was reconciled with the church of his childhood.

[@sohara....]

*"Follow your bliss..."* In practice, what does one do? Stay in the present moment...! Michael Singer has practical advice, Eckhart Tolle ... Joe Dispenza.... I have found them all to be useful!

[@davidbrasher3595]

I have long thought that this was a very odd exchange. Moyer is a devout Christian, and Campbell is practically an atheist. So Moyer is asking things sort of like, "You feel the presence and guidance of God don't you?" And Campbell is sort of like, "When I follow my interests, I am really happy, and things work out great for me." I cannot tell if they are both talking past each other, or if Campbell is politely suffering a "fool."

[@austinekennyakunne8346]

Thanks much. Campbell!!!! I AM SO HAPPY AND GRATEFUL THAT NOW I AM THAT'S I AM.............

[@vetiarvind]

Ah I once read his book Hero with a thousand faces. I didn't know he knew so much about Indian philosophy too.

[@SuhamBello]

Watching Campbell is like going to church for me

[@synergydesigners]

Outstanding

[@landrecce]

Man he is BRILLIANT!

[@sebastianverney7851]

Campbell was a Sun conjunct Mercury and Jupiter in Aries, which is a formidable combination, and if that were not enough, Mars in Aries and Moon in Leo too. People like this have great gifts and all of us benefit from them, if we allow ourselves to benefit.

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@garylshawiii427]

Sorry to hear of his wives passing in may this year at 104

[@artieash6671]

Would love to see and hear the entire series, not just bits.

[@elliottmellichamp]

kzbin.info/aero/PLiYnNom7SVRMjsi2WSpIGBlo1UDhlXyvz

[@magolden-vg2ef]

Awesome!

[@greggonzalez859]

It’s a shame that many have twisted his meaning of “bliss” to mean something other than enlightened motivation.

[@annesuekocoyle1956]

Back when academics could be generalists with a true love for the subject matter. Nowadays he’d be waved off with an eye roll and derisive whispers:”dilettante!”

[@maksimnikiforovski2034]

So true! He would have been made to specialize in some obscure part of anthropology or philosophy.

[@bremlquan]

Any idea as to why, Anne? Anyone can express a general love for knowledge on their own dime.

[@sylviamalkahcalderoncourie6561]

What a Couple!!!!

[@inachu]

When this video was playing on PBS and ended then came another video by a nun who also made a few profound statements on bliss. She was talking about hobbies for which some have been doing their entire lives VS those who chose it as a profession. Her statement to that was.... Who is more professional the hobbyist or the professional?

[@thesearchforenlightenment2543]

Awesome love Joseph Campbell!! Check out Jason’s journey and the Search for enlightenment!! Peace!! Love you.

[@SleuthPro11]

!!!Dope!!!

[@silverdove88]

Wise advice of how to connect to the eternal radiance of life and creation! Though I always feel that this kind of advice should be caveated with possible challenges and dangers on the path (depending on your capacity) that requires careful discernment - fear is healthy when working with the path we were born to walk - alongside bliss & grace.

[@AndrewRobinson-ee7um]

Wish I’d gone to his college……

[@brianvanvriends]

This ideal of following your bliss has and will lead people in directions in life that are unsustainable, misguided and ultimately tragic. There's another saying which is perhaps more helpful for those in search of answers - the road that's less travelled is less travelled for a reason. It's hard, but he rewards are great. If people simply do as they FEEL then they are doomed. I'm reminded of what GK Chesterton famously said of Christianity - it has not been tried and found wanting, it's been found difficult and not tried at all.

[@E.J.Crunkleton]

What directions are those?

[@markmorgan6741]

My Hero

[@brigidrohde736]

Once we find THE authentic BEING OF EXISTENCE within.... we then find our BLISS!

[@umserserum]

Right there?! Right there. Where? Wherever you are.

[@anirvandeva]

Sat = that doesn't not change (eternal) Cit = Consciousness Ananda = Bliss

[@RainS2TOSBT]

Thanks for the new video.

[@jeffwhite2511]

Bill Moyers was a true journalist - curious, open-minded, enthusiastic interviewing amazing people like JC - full of imagination, wonder and possibilities. What the HELL happened to imagination, wonder and possibilities?!?!?

[@lsb2623]

I like to make jokes and entertain people. I do it through my hobbies and pastimes activity.

[@hyrumtasso]

the guys a legend

[@JayMills382]

Writing poetry I wonder when looking for certain words I’m given them!

[@lennon_richardson]

I love this! Thanks for following me. Please and thank you.

[@Hogballs]

This is the same as the Power of NOW

[@humbleweirdo2860]

Such a cool dude

[@diegomartinez3986]

Maggie Mae Fish really opened up my eye to this guy lol

[@pazwidmer8005]

😍🙏❤️❤️❤️Pure bliss

[@CodeMagiic1]

That last question was funny

[@LoveEarthHereAndNow]

#sincerity

[@LoveEarthHereAndNow]

#generosity

[@DonTheMoron716]

Man was a genius.

[@zuyuwang1198]

❤️

[@LoveEarthHereAndNow]

#Sat #Chit #Ananda

[@monicaaiken9746]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@LoveEarthHereAndNow]

#candor

[@LoveEarthHereAndNow]

🕊️

[@pinkowl4738]

😍

[@recreatingadam980]

Great but who did these subtitles?

[@satnamo]

I have de mind that identifies itself with that which moves it because I follow my bliss. De eternal bliss of nirvana lies in de mind at rest. Be still and das whole universe will surrender. Be still and know that I am god. Know me for it is best for mankind to know god.

[@evygil]

smart man