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The Mythic Dimension: Selected Essays 1959–1987
.In these pages, the Collected Works of Joseph Campbell presents twelve eclectic, far-ranging, and brilliant essays gathered together for the first time. The essays explore myth in all its dimensions: its history; its influence on art, literature, and culture; and its role in everyday life.
This second volume of Campbell’s essays (following The Flight of the Wild Gander) brings together his uncollected writings from 1959 to 1987. Written at the height of Campbell’s career―and showcasing the lively intelligence that made him the twentieth century’s premier writer on mythology―these essays investigate the profound links between myth, the individual, and societies ancient and contemporary. Covering diverse terrain ranging from psychology to the occult, from Thomas Mann to the Grateful Dead, from Goddess spirituality to Freud and Jung, these playful and erudite writings reveal the threads of myth woven deeply into the fabric of our culture and our lives.
This second volume of Campbell’s essays (following The Flight of the Wild Gander) brings together his uncollected writings from 1959 to 1987. Written at the height of Campbell’s career―and showcasing the lively intelligence that made him the twentieth century’s premier writer on mythology―these essays investigate the profound links between myth, the individual, and societies ancient and contemporary. Covering diverse terrain ranging from psychology to the occult, from Thomas Mann to the Grateful Dead, from Goddess spirituality to Freud and Jung, these playful and erudite writings reveal the threads of myth woven deeply into the fabric of our culture and our lives.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Joseph Campbell
426 books6,185 followersJoseph Campbell was an American author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. He was born in New York City in 1904, and from early childhood he became interested in mythology. He loved to read books about American Indian cultures, and frequently visited the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where he was fascinated by the museum's collection of totem poles.
Campbell was educated at Columbia University, where he specialized in medieval literature, and continued his studies at universities in Paris and Munich. While abroad he was influenced by the art of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the novels of James Joyce and Thomas Mann, and the psychological studies of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. These encounters led to Campbell's theory that all myths and epics are linked in the human psyche, and that they are cultural manifestations of the universal need to explain social, cosmological, and spiritual realities.
After a period in California, where he encountered John Steinbeck and the biologist Ed Ricketts, he taught at the Canterbury School, and then, in 1934, joined the literature department at Sarah Lawrence College, a post he retained for many years. During the 40s and '50s, he helped Swami Nikhilananda to translate the Upanishads and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He also edited works by the German scholar Heinrich Zimmer on Indian art, myths, and philosophy. In 1944, with Henry Morton Robinson, Campbell published A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake. His first original work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, came out in 1949 and was immediately well received; in time, it became acclaimed as a classic. In this study of the "myth of the hero," Campbell asserted that there is a single pattern of heroic journey and that all cultures share this essential pattern in their various heroic myths. In his book he also outlined the basic conditions, stages, and results of the archetypal hero's journey.
Throughout his life, he traveled extensively and wrote prolifically, authoring many books, including the four-volume series The Masks of God, Myths to Live By, The Inner Reaches of Outer Space and The Historical Atlas of World Mythology. Joseph Campbell died in 1987. In 1988, a series of television interviews with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, introduced Campbell's views to millions of people.
Campbell was educated at Columbia University, where he specialized in medieval literature, and continued his studies at universities in Paris and Munich. While abroad he was influenced by the art of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the novels of James Joyce and Thomas Mann, and the psychological studies of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. These encounters led to Campbell's theory that all myths and epics are linked in the human psyche, and that they are cultural manifestations of the universal need to explain social, cosmological, and spiritual realities.
After a period in California, where he encountered John Steinbeck and the biologist Ed Ricketts, he taught at the Canterbury School, and then, in 1934, joined the literature department at Sarah Lawrence College, a post he retained for many years. During the 40s and '50s, he helped Swami Nikhilananda to translate the Upanishads and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He also edited works by the German scholar Heinrich Zimmer on Indian art, myths, and philosophy. In 1944, with Henry Morton Robinson, Campbell published A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake. His first original work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, came out in 1949 and was immediately well received; in time, it became acclaimed as a classic. In this study of the "myth of the hero," Campbell asserted that there is a single pattern of heroic journey and that all cultures share this essential pattern in their various heroic myths. In his book he also outlined the basic conditions, stages, and results of the archetypal hero's journey.
Throughout his life, he traveled extensively and wrote prolifically, authoring many books, including the four-volume series The Masks of God, Myths to Live By, The Inner Reaches of Outer Space and The Historical Atlas of World Mythology. Joseph Campbell died in 1987. In 1988, a series of television interviews with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, introduced Campbell's views to millions of people.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 3, 2009
The only thing that prevented me from wholeheartedly loving every page of this text as with all previous Campbell texts I have read was the section, and then later reflection, on numerology. A brief synopsis of his conclusions on the continual re-appearance of “432” across time and culture would have sufficed. Though the historicity was compelling, Campbell’s writing style was more scientific here than in his other sections and other texts. This is, of course, because of the presence of mathematical equations. Nevertheless, I found it less gripping than his usual conversational tone. What I always enjoy most about Campbell’s texts is that there is a feeling that he is sitting right there, with the feeling of a casual conversation that magically captures the most important concepts of life and myth. His ability to achieve such comfort and familiarity with the reader has always impressed and delighted me.
Campbell’s knowledge of various traditions is, to say the very least, impressive. Throughout his many texts, Campbell focuses on various religions and myths. In “The Mythic Dimension,” when discussing religion, Campbell primarily focused on Christian and Indian traditions- the two I am most familiar with. I was raised as a Christian, and I took the “Hindu Traditions” course in Fall '08. I enjoyed looking at the parallels between the two. I have always appreciated Campbell’s notion that religion is myth and is not to be read literally, which he reaffirms in “The Mythic Dimension.” I believe that, with this application, we can readily accept all religions as performing the same function – giving us a path or guidelines to follow while in the mortal coil, and giving us a glimpse of what we came from and what we are headed toward. Furthermore, it gives us the ability to accept all religions as valid and not deem one religion “better” than another or deem any one religion as the “correct” religion.
Another element that stood out in this text was the discussions on both suffering and compassion (Campbell 83, 85). I now see not only how greatly the two are related, but how they are two of the greatest gifts to humans. According to Campbell, suffering gives us the ability to gain wisdom (83). I see this in direct correlation with compassion- the ability to truly connect to others. If we did not know suffering, how could we empathize with others? Furthermore, suffering and compassion are two unique elements that make us truly human (different from other creatures on this planet). Campbell quotes Eckhart and leads us to understand that, without love, suffering is essentially meaningless (216). In understanding how the concept of love unites with the concept of compassion, I see that, together, it is love, suffering, and compassion that unite both the myths and our experience of humanity. After all, the myths are both a reflection of a guide for our human experience. Campbell asserts: “Truly tragic pity unites us with the human - not with Communist, Fascist, Muslim, or Christian – sufferer” (238). It is important to recognize that is our humanity that unites us, not our titles or differing beliefs. It is from this global humanity that comes the creation and sustenance of the myth. It is both from and for humanity that we fight, live, and die.
Campbell also, of course, discusses other elements of our humanity. He touches on one of my favorite concepts of humanity - that we are born too soon. As he indicates, we are raised for roughly two decades with an idea of dependence, with this reliance on mother and father. It is a shocking release for many to venture to the new role of independent adult, suddenly expected to be fully responsible and to fulfill the role of mother or father (221, 222). Campbell reminds us, though, that we have the myths to show us how to be adults and maintain our given “roles” (79). This shows how, in today’s society, we continue to need myths.
Finally, Campbell reminds us that this existence is not a permanent one. He instructs us on how to perform in this game of life with an attitude akin to child-like play, keeping in mind that “The laws of life in time and space - economics, politics, and even morality - will dissolve” (37). Of course, when this life dissolves, the life of the spirit is just beginning. There is something bigger, something beyond, something unnamable that all the religions and all the myths point towards.
Campbell’s knowledge of various traditions is, to say the very least, impressive. Throughout his many texts, Campbell focuses on various religions and myths. In “The Mythic Dimension,” when discussing religion, Campbell primarily focused on Christian and Indian traditions- the two I am most familiar with. I was raised as a Christian, and I took the “Hindu Traditions” course in Fall '08. I enjoyed looking at the parallels between the two. I have always appreciated Campbell’s notion that religion is myth and is not to be read literally, which he reaffirms in “The Mythic Dimension.” I believe that, with this application, we can readily accept all religions as performing the same function – giving us a path or guidelines to follow while in the mortal coil, and giving us a glimpse of what we came from and what we are headed toward. Furthermore, it gives us the ability to accept all religions as valid and not deem one religion “better” than another or deem any one religion as the “correct” religion.
Another element that stood out in this text was the discussions on both suffering and compassion (Campbell 83, 85). I now see not only how greatly the two are related, but how they are two of the greatest gifts to humans. According to Campbell, suffering gives us the ability to gain wisdom (83). I see this in direct correlation with compassion- the ability to truly connect to others. If we did not know suffering, how could we empathize with others? Furthermore, suffering and compassion are two unique elements that make us truly human (different from other creatures on this planet). Campbell quotes Eckhart and leads us to understand that, without love, suffering is essentially meaningless (216). In understanding how the concept of love unites with the concept of compassion, I see that, together, it is love, suffering, and compassion that unite both the myths and our experience of humanity. After all, the myths are both a reflection of a guide for our human experience. Campbell asserts: “Truly tragic pity unites us with the human - not with Communist, Fascist, Muslim, or Christian – sufferer” (238). It is important to recognize that is our humanity that unites us, not our titles or differing beliefs. It is from this global humanity that comes the creation and sustenance of the myth. It is both from and for humanity that we fight, live, and die.
Campbell also, of course, discusses other elements of our humanity. He touches on one of my favorite concepts of humanity - that we are born too soon. As he indicates, we are raised for roughly two decades with an idea of dependence, with this reliance on mother and father. It is a shocking release for many to venture to the new role of independent adult, suddenly expected to be fully responsible and to fulfill the role of mother or father (221, 222). Campbell reminds us, though, that we have the myths to show us how to be adults and maintain our given “roles” (79). This shows how, in today’s society, we continue to need myths.
Finally, Campbell reminds us that this existence is not a permanent one. He instructs us on how to perform in this game of life with an attitude akin to child-like play, keeping in mind that “The laws of life in time and space - economics, politics, and even morality - will dissolve” (37). Of course, when this life dissolves, the life of the spirit is just beginning. There is something bigger, something beyond, something unnamable that all the religions and all the myths point towards.
April 15, 2008
If you have any sort of interest in mythology, then you have heard of Joseph Campbell. His works such as The Hero's Journey and Myths of Light are required reading for university studies. His presentation of the cycle of the hero is absolutely legendary. He is one of my absolute favorite authors.
When a copy of The Mythic Dimension arrived at my door for me to review, I was thrilled. This book reprints a variety of Campbell's essays and articles, originally published between 1959 and 1987. Amongst these pieces are solid foundational presentations that provide a really good overview of the study of mythology and the associated symbolism. I can see this book becoming a very popular text for university classes.
When a copy of The Mythic Dimension arrived at my door for me to review, I was thrilled. This book reprints a variety of Campbell's essays and articles, originally published between 1959 and 1987. Amongst these pieces are solid foundational presentations that provide a really good overview of the study of mythology and the associated symbolism. I can see this book becoming a very popular text for university classes.
December 6, 2010
Finally! It has been three years since a [new] release of Joe's works. What's the holdup? Of course, this was my second reading of these essays and I am very fond of this collection. . . had to pack it up -- we're moving!
Picked it up again on February 10, 2009. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
Picked it up again on February 10, 2009. --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
June 6, 2020
This book found me in a charity bookshop some months ago. I was deleighted because I'd recently become aware of Joseph Campbell in the context of background to some writing I have been engaged in. The book was in excellent condition but a cursory glance at the first few pages seemed disappointing and it stank of nicotine, so I fanned the pages, wafted it with air fresher and set it aside for another day.
That day came recently during lockdown for Covid-19. I started, as is sometimes my way, at the back. It is a collection of essays afterall. Imagine my surprise and deleight to find not useful research on mythology (which it of course is) but another chapter in a spiritual journey of dscovery and a deep resonance and extension of many of the ideas I have previously encountered along that path. Illuminating, thought provoking and unsettling depending upon your previous reading and inclinations - perhaps undestandibly niche and academic if not.
As with many works you take as much as you bring and that was certainly my experience with this collection of essays.
That day came recently during lockdown for Covid-19. I started, as is sometimes my way, at the back. It is a collection of essays afterall. Imagine my surprise and deleight to find not useful research on mythology (which it of course is) but another chapter in a spiritual journey of dscovery and a deep resonance and extension of many of the ideas I have previously encountered along that path. Illuminating, thought provoking and unsettling depending upon your previous reading and inclinations - perhaps undestandibly niche and academic if not.
As with many works you take as much as you bring and that was certainly my experience with this collection of essays.
December 27, 2011
When a religion is demythologized, when believers see a historical figure rather than a symbol, that’s when a religion ceases to be viable, closing minds instead of opening them. Campbell’s essays are all about remythologizing religion, about recognizing God as “a metaphor for that which transcends all levels of intellectual thought.”
April 3, 2013
A collection of Campbell essays, probably only for diehard fans of his, which I obviously am.
September 13, 2023
Rather than write a review of this man's life work, I'd rather just cite the various posts I've written about him in the past:
• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?
And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces
Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?
Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]
Mark: Day… in the… studio?
Lancelot: New lighting set up?
Mark: Yeah, it’s–
Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?
Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?
Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.
Mark: Sounds fun.
Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.
Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.
Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.
• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?
And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces
Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?
Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]
Mark: Day… in the… studio?
Lancelot: New lighting set up?
Mark: Yeah, it’s–
Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?
Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?
Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.
Mark: Sounds fun.
Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.
Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.
Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.
March 27, 2019
This was an okay collection but not really anything new or necessary. Several of the chapters were lifted directly from other works, and over half the essays felt like literal repeats of the chapter that came before. Same metaphors referenced, same quotations used, same explanations with minor adjustments on Campbell's theories. Considering that these are largely the transcripts of some of his lectures given over the years it makes sense for them to be so similar, but it feels like a bit of a money grab to have published this as a separate collection.
I'm a huge Campbell fan, and I still enjoyed this book but it is not a necessary read for anyone besides huge fans. If you do pick it up, I do not recommend reading it cover to cover in one sitting as the repetition gets a little tiresome.
I'm a huge Campbell fan, and I still enjoyed this book but it is not a necessary read for anyone besides huge fans. If you do pick it up, I do not recommend reading it cover to cover in one sitting as the repetition gets a little tiresome.
June 28, 2024
Wonderful select of lectures by the master. Spacially interesting the outline of the list of 80 books he recommended and in the order to read them, for is year course at University. A huge dive into all the mystical traditions of the world and phylosophy and how then relate them together. Beautiful the reflection about the reason and task of mytology in communities to build a shared story and a explanation of the world, and the connection with the subconcious. From here you can see how all cultures have the same archetypes, but some benerate and demonise different ones. Dive into sacred geometry, sacred numbers.
October 13, 2018
Fantastic!!!!!
April 12, 2020
always good to re-visit Campbell
June 14, 2020
Though full of interesting backdrops and vast spectrum of global myths, the writing seemed too detailed and the overly academic language made this book hard to finish
March 1, 2023
Whatever
March 15, 2024
4.5 stars. Essential for anyone interested in myth.
August 4, 2023
Honestly, I just really struggle to understand Campbell. I love the monomyth and the comparative mythology, but the granular symbology and numerology is just too esoteric for my liking.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews