Discovering Truth in Mythic Voices

When it comes to mythology, we have diverse views concerning what it is, how to interpret it, who gets to define it, and why many of the myths echo each other. We also have differing ways of comparing our personal myths with ancient/traditional ones.

It is generally accepted that myths provide us with stories and symbols which shape our beliefs about ourselves, our community, our world, and our humanity.

Over time these stories and symbols grow into myths. Once that happens, we no longer question them. They structure the meaning and direction our minds use to define the way things are or are meant to be. As with so many things, myths are at their most powerful in our lives when they are so deeply ingrained, we don't name them. We believe we don't have to define them because they simply are. At that point, we generally have little awareness of their power over us.

We see this everywhere around us. Every day. All of our most noxious isms grow out of one or more of these unquestioned, deeply ingrained myths. And yet....many of our most cherished myths are also about change. Siddhartha Gautama sat under the bodhi tree until he reached enlightenment. Jesus preached about and shared all he had as an example of change. Kwan Yin choose to stay on the Earth plane to continue to be a compassionate source. Boudica, as queen of the British Celtic Iseni tribe, went to war to free her people from Roman rule, uncommon for a woman. Hercules. Mulan. Moana. Even Disney retells our myths. Sherlock Holmes. Lyra Silvertongue. Tom Sawyer. We find mythic characters everywhere. We listen to their mythic voices.

We have choice. We have agency. We determine which myths we will believe. Which we will follow. Which we will question.

Which stories live within your life? How do you determine what is myth? Are there beliefs you have about yourself that grow out of those stories or myths? What symbols are significant in your life? Where did you learn about those symbols? Why are they important?

Reaching for Peace

Sadako. Yes. She of the thousand paper cranes. I love this statue of her reaching for peace with her cranes, believing that if she could only make a thousand of them, she would be cured of the cancer that was eating away her young life. To have that kind of faith! Though she didn't make it, her story has inspired many people.

Inspired us to what, exactly? To make the beautiful paper cranes that continually adorn this statue. To work for and to believe in peace. More than that, to practice peace, to continue forward in faith, even when all around us looks otherwise.

For anyone who studies and believes in the Christian tradition, there is a verse in the gospel of Matthew (24:6) that reads:

"You are going to hear the noise of battles close by and the news of battles far away; but do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but they do not mean that the end has come." (GNT)

Why would Jesus tell his disciples not to be troubled? Does it sound like he's saying to ignore the incoming information about battles and wars? Maybe it sounds that way to some. To me, it sounds like he's telling his followers to be steadfast, not to let the rumors sway their faith. And to understand that the world will continue and so must they.

We must work toward peace without being pulled into the battle, even if it's a battle of words. Move forward. Hold steadfast. Have faith. Keep your heart clear and faithful. It really isn't a Christian message alone. It's the message of every spiritual leader since the beginning of time. It's the message of a 12-year-old girl from one of two cities which experienced first-hand the results of atomic bombing. If anyone had reason to fear, reason to hate, reason to give up, it was Sadako Sasaki. What she held on to was hope, faith and love. We must as well.

How do you reach for peace? How do you maintain peace within your own life? How do you maintain a peaceful balance in a world gone mad with battles, wars, power-mongering?

St. Joseph's Day

When I was growing up, it seems like St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day were feasts in competition with each other. Not sure it was ever clear as to why. What I recall is the feeling.

St. Joseph ~ the human father-figure in the life of Jesus ~ is so incredibly much of an unknown figure. What I like about this particular picture is that he's not an old man. I think he was pictured so often as an old man so the Catholics could continue to believe in the virginity of Mary. Why would she ever want to be intimate with that old codger? Hmmmm. I'm guessing they didn't think about the attraction of a young, nubile woman for some old men.

But I blaspheme..... Picturing him as an old man gave me pause in thinking about him as a carpenter, particularly one who could make a living at such a physical trade. Everything done by hand, using a variety of tools, with a variety of woods. As a child, I dreamt of Joseph teaching the young Jesus to work with wood... hand over hand, showing him how to be firm and gentle with the wood, how to coax form from it. I believe that helped form his steadfastness in his ministry.

As I continue on my path of Practicing Lent, I focus on who this man Joseph was ~ who raised a son as his own when he knew he wasn't; who remained by the side of a woman whose reputation he questioned at one point; who believed in and followed the advice given in dreams; who was quiet and strong; and about whom we know so very, very little. May I be that strong, giving and humble.

Who are the saints in your life? What have they taught you? How is your life different for their presence in it?