As far as I can tell, the hero’s journey never gets old. What seems to be always be valuable is the ability to reiterate that journey in the most resonant way possible, in a way that lifts the newest generations’ minds and hearts.
And that’s why a writer needs to employ the sword of brutal honesty—to slice away useless preconceptions and reveal timeless truths for those who live today, and not the dust-clad statues that tradition-bound zealots can’t stop evangelizing.
I think those tales are popular because we’re always searching for the hero within ourselves.
but what are “timeless truths”, Kent, if not those “dust-clad statues” – we are not discovering “timeless truths” today only, if they’re “timeless truths”, they’ve already been discovered – see, for instance, Homer
I think what you are saying has merit, but how many young folks read Homer today? It seems DirtySciFiBuddha is alluding to the notion that we need to tell the heroes story in today’s vernacular, no matter how much it hurts
I think the “timeless truths,” while “timeless,” have to be rediscovered by every generation. Probably some people read Homer in High School or College as “assigned reading,” but those tales can be updated in modern fiction and even comic books, although today’s entertainment industry has a tendency to emphasize “heroes” less for being classically heroic and more for being compliant with politically correct values.
Absolutely! There’s a reason why someone who hasn’t read Homer can write a compelling modern-day narrative; the clues with which to live a fulfilling life are embedded in our day-to-day reality, and show up in resonant narratives time and again as a function of the writer simply being observant enough to pick up on them.
Exactly. You can see this method of approaching life, the hero’s journey (being willing to sacrifice outdated dogma and short-term comfort for a long-term result that benefits the collective) repeated throughout narratives because it has direct, practical bearing on daily life. Personally, the more I hew to that strategy, the more fulfilled I am.
I am running into folks who are of the opinion that their own stories are too unheroic…so many lost stories that people are burning or burying in confidential therapy sessions. Each and every one of us has the potential to be a hero to someone. Even if we inspire one soul, maybe that one will turn out to be the hero. I for one don’t have the luxury of burying or burning my story. Sometimes I wish I could, especially at the uncomfortable parts, but then it wouldn’t be much of a story without those. Thanks for these thoughts.
Yep, no problem. I also think “hero” is a loaded word. I prefer the phrase “Problem Solver’s Journey.” Single moms are some of my greatest personal inspirations, as I was raised by one, and even though they aren’t coated in glory, they do far harder things than I’d be willing to tolerate.
I didn’t have a single mom. just a dad and 5 step dads…etc. But yeah, even those who can be the most _-what’s that word?–controlling/possessive, they have their own contributions as well…heard of Joseph’s brothers who threw him into the well–yeah, mom’s can be like that kind of power too.
Timeless truths are when the dust-clad statues get reinvigorated with fresh life, as depicted in the Egyptian myth where Horus restores sight to his father. Tradition is dead and sometimes harmful until the new generation sees how the core principles underlying that tradition can be modified for the problems we face today. That is how you keep a truth timeless. 😉
Do you have any timeless truths to reveal today?
Which 2 spiritual “paths” do you think make the most sense? Why?
Name 2 authors who write about religion or spiritual philosophy that you like. Thanks.
Discipline (sacrifice of short-term comfort and comfortable dogma) will give you a chance to achieve great endeavors. Evidence-based assessment/strategy will improve it. I think Joseph Campbell’s syncretic view of mythology and narrative is a functional view of transcendent action, although I disagree with the false dichotomy he seems to present with “follow your bliss.”
On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer
Much have I travell’d in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-brow’d Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
He star’d at the Pacific—and all his men
Look’d at each other with a wild surmise—
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
John Keats
every generation thinks it has all the answers, until they realize they don’t, that others before them have been magnificent, and entirely worth noting, I got Homer through Fitzgerald’s translation, and haven’t been the same since – but maybe we’re talking about the same thing, Kent, fundamentally agreeing, what do you think – cheers, R ! chard
I think we are! Every generation ventures forth, is foolish, and then has to examine what came before, but instead of hewing dogmatically to tradition, has to decide for themselves what applies and what doesn’t (which is where the “timeless truths” make themselves evident). If I was to be reductive, the most timeless of truths in my opinion would be “figure it out for yourself.” (of course, make sure it’s ethical and it works)
“figure it out for yourself.”, Kent, is what Socrates taught a long time ago, he’s been my especial guide since I can remember cheers ever, R ! chard
Kent Wayne 
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