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Mythology & Parables in Modern Communication Part 1
Today there is a growing need to examine all our systems of
thought and communication. We are witness to an information
explosion. Never before has there been such a plethora of
relevant and not so relevant information available on every
subject imaginable. Most of us cannot even begin to fathom the
depths of this apparent inexhaustible supply.
So how do we process what is coming at us now, let alone, what
will be there in the future? There has to be a way to sort
through this landslide of facts and fiction, to go over each
piece and determine for ourselves its inherent validity and
relevance to our lives.
In each epoch in our history there were major transition points
that affected all of humanity. These were marked by chaos and
fear, upset and upheaval, all related to a convulsive present
and an indeterminate future. Examples would be the Agricultural
Revolution, when, as a species, we stopped wandering and
gathering, and started cultivating fields and growing our own
food. Then came the Industrial Revolution, where there began
the vast process of mechanizing our work. In all such cases, an
old way was leaving, while the new way was being born. During
these transition phases, chaos and upheaval were the signs of
the times. Many current writers are suggesting that this is also
the case today, with the present Information Revolution; and I
would agree.
In previous times, as cited in the above examples, some sense of
order had to be derived from the chaos that was all about. Some
way of making sense of the whole unfolding process was required
and basically had to be invented on the spot. It was never a
question of not living through it because change was already
upon the population. It was always a matter of how to live
through it and minimize the impact on day to day life.
History repeats itself, we are often told, until a particular
lesson is learned. What is history trying to teach us right now?
That we appear not ready for the great leap forward we are
about to take? In part this may be true, but what else? I draw
sustenance from an old Myth that says: when a person is ready,
what is there waiting for them becomes visible.
Well, what does that mean? To me that points out that the
process of awakening and evolution is, from this perspective, a
personal one and what is next on the horizon is only visible
after a pressing (moment, feeling, or problem) has been properly
disposed of. This Myth also tells us that, in so much as we are
BUSH SHOWS HIS TRUE COLORS!If you voted for George Bush in the recent election, you should stop complaining about the national budget crunch and the planned destruction of ..... capable of mastering something, we shall be prompted to
undertake it. This suggests that evolution takes us, not
necessarily where we want to go, but most certainly where we
need to go. And once again, that fact doesnt become visible
until its time arrives, in the undulating process of change or
transformation.
Evolution, here, is not a matter of biology, but more a matter
of personal fact. What are the facts of my life, as opposed to
what are the facts of your life? At some level we share a
commonality of facts. Those that underlie Christianity, for
example, are shared facts. Those that underlie our essential
humanness are also shared facts. Do these so called facts hold
any truth or not? And on what can we base our collective
experience and subsequent testimony? After sorting through an
enormity of facts, what do we rely on for an interpretation? How
do we know when any interpretation is correct?
The ExodusAnd the matter of who is doing the abusing is the most important thing we as a world full of equal people must ascertain. Who are the ..... You see, years ago, we had Mythology, and its teaching companion
Parables, to guide us through transitional, volatile times.
Myths and Parables were guideposts; signs along the path that
helped explain aspects of our human plight and imminent
challenges. Myths and Parables were teaching tools, designed to
advance us as a race, as a nation or as an individual, into and
through the next stage of our evolution. Suffice it to say that
Myths and Parables were the Sine Qua Non of Ancient Times, in
terms of information processing and personal growth, because
basically, no one knew how to read. Since very few people
enjoyed that privilege there had to be a way to pass on
important information. Myths and parables were accessible to
everybody. Handed down through the ages, they were passed on to
generation after generation, cutting across cultural and ethnic
boundaries, and historical periods. Myths, as guideposts and
parables as models, have always been there for us and are still
in evidence today. We just dont pay attention to them like we
used to.
(In part 2 of this series we will continue this discussion and
see how it leads to and affects our current situation as the
Information Revolution unfolds.)
About the author:
Maurice Turmel PhD is the author of "Parables for a Modern Age."
He was a practicing therapist for nearly 25 years, and is now an
Author, Speaker and Performing Songwriter, in the areas of
Personal Growth and Creative Self-Expression. He can be reached
at drmoe@self-helpnow.com or visit the website at:
http://www.self-helpnow.com.
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