Myths across all societies are similar because they represent the unconscious and universal experience of being human.Myths act as a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious. When you take the myth out, you lose that connection.Myths are symbolic, not historical. If considered historical, myths lose their relevance as we know dragons etc don’t exist.Myths fulfill four functions: ◦ Mystical (provides a sense of awe, wonder, and unity with the universe) ◦ Cosmological: explains the stars and the planets. ◦ Sociological: establish an order for people to be able to live together. ◦ Psychological: helps one realize themselves and find meaning in life.Modern society no longer has any myths because everything changes very rapidly.

• Myths across all societies are similar because they represent the unconscious and universal experience of being human.
• Myths act as a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious. When you take the myth out, you lose that connection.
• Myths are symbolic, not historical. If considered historical, myths lose their relevance as we know dragons etc don’t exist.
• Myths fulfill four functions:
  • ◦ Mystical (provides a sense of awe, wonder, and unity with the universe)
  • ◦ Cosmological: explains the stars and the planets.
  • ◦ Sociological: establish an order for people to be able to live together.
  • ◦ Psychological: helps one realize themselves and find meaning in life.

What Pathways to Bliss Talks About

**Pathways to Bliss was written by Joseph Campbell, an independent scholar and mythology teacher. The book explains how mythology can help give people cues to realize themselves and fulfill their purposes, something Campbell calls “following and finding your bliss”. The book mainly rests on Jungian psychology and concepts.**

Campbell didn’t directly write this book. Rather, the content was assembled by an association that promotes and takes care of his work.

I knew who Campbell was as I had learned about him at university but I had never read him. This book ended up being one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time, a refreshing source of knowledge bringing clarity to a lot of societal mysteries.

My only regret is related to the fact that Campbell didn’t talk much about his own work, relying instead on Jungian and Freudian psychology. It’s interesting, but if I wanted to learn about Jung, I would have read Jung, not Campbell.

I am now looking forward to reading The Hero with a Thousand Faces next, which I think, will be even more interesting than Pathways to Bliss.

10/10.

Get the book here.

Short Summary of Pathways to Bliss by Joseph Campbell

Mythology provides a role model for people to follow if they hope to have “lives well-lived”.

Myths fulfill four functions in society:

Mystical: provides a sense of awe, wonder, and unity with the universe.Cosmological: explains the stars and the planets.Sociological: establish an order for people to be able to live together.Psychological: helps one realize themselves and find meaning in life.

• Mystical: provides a sense of awe, wonder, and unity with the universe.