The Power of Myth 4: Sacrifice and Bliss

mythology is the song, the flight of imagination inspired by the body

the sacred place is an absolute necessity
for some, the whole earth

Chief Seattle: “we love this earth as a newborn loves its mother’s heartbeat” “the end of living and the beginning of survival”

seeds, rhizomes -- death not death -- individual not individual

Algonquin: boy's visitant, you must kill me and bury me --> maize
Polynesia: moon maiden, you must kill me and bury my head --> coconut

1) human psyche, like body, the same everywhere
2) diffusion, historical

hunting cultures: the sacrifice is a bribe
planting cultures: the death is the resurrection

the fruit of the tree
tree of life --> eternity
tree of knowledge --> duality

die to the flesh, born to the spirit
art reveals radiance and unity to which religion points

the Jesus dance -- acts of John
the lord of death is lord of life, dance, sex
“it’s a good day to die”

death/life
being/becoming

the metaphysical breakthrough of a realization that you and the other are one
marriage -- sacrificing to the relationship, not to the Other
marriage is not a love affair but an ordeal
motherhood is a sacrifice

death as return
“it’s a good day to die”
life is always on the edge of death


Sir Gawain and Green Knight
tests -- lust for life and fear of death -- courage

prologue to Thus Spake Zarathustra the young camel loaded, becomes lion, which slays the dragon, the name of the dragon is Thou Shalt, a child is born
a wheel rolling out of its own center
follow your bliss, go where your body and soul want to go
invisible hands

stumbling around looking for water when water is right there wherever you are