The Power of Myth
"The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell explores the significance of mythology in human culture, emphasizing its role in shaping our beliefs, values, and understanding of the world. Through conversations with journalist Bill Moyers, Campbell discusses how myths from various cultures reflect universal themes of heroism, creation, and the human experience, ultimately illustrating the enduring power of storytelling in connecting individuals across time and space.
18 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Power of Myth, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
Myth is much more important and true than history.
The hero's journey is a metaphor for the journey of life.
Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
The function of mythology is to reconcile the consciousness of the individual with the cosmos.
We can no longer think of ourselves as separate from the world.
The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.
What we are really living for is the experience of life, both the pain and the pleasure.
Myth is much more than a story; it is a truth that we live by.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
The hero's journey is a sacred journey.
Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again.
The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.
To be a hero is to be yourself.
The myths are the dreams of the people.
When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.