Heroic Myths and Heroes

A Heroic Dose

World Myth - Week 9 - Brandon Reece

HERO

Agenda

  • Current Quest: The speaker is currently embarking on a quest and indicates they will talk further later.

  • Main Topics of Discussion:

    • Heroes

    • The Ties that Bind

    • Meaningful Connection

    • Heroes of our Age

Heroic Myths

  • Philosophical Insight: "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."

    • Author: Albert CAMUS

Notable Heroes and Figures

Figures Mentioned:

  • King Arthur

    • Central figure in Arthurian legends.

  • Percival (Perceval) and the Holy Grail

    • Known for his quest for the Grail, an archetype of searching for higher truth.

  • Gawain

    • A knight of King Arthur's Round Table, embodies chivalry and bravery.

  • Theseus

    • A hero from Greek mythology known for his adventures and trials.

  • Aeneas

    • A Trojan hero depicted in Virgil's epic, symbolizes duty and perseverance.

Questioning Similarities

  • The speaker suggests there may be similarities between different heroes or mythology-related figures, prompting discussion on their characteristics and narratives.

Heroes Walk the Axis Mundi

Conceptual Overview:

  • Definition of Axis Mundi: A sacred connection between heaven and earth representing the center of the world in many religious and philosophical contexts, such as those described in different mythologies.

Realms of Existence:

  • Realm of Being:

    • Associated figures: God, Angels

    • Attributes of this realm: Actuality, existence in the divine.

  • Realm of Becoming:

    • Associated figures: Animals, Plants, Minerals

    • Attributes of this realm: Potentiality, growth, transformation over time.

The Vedanta: Koshas (Sheaths of Being)

  1. Annamaya Kosha: - The Food sheath, representing the physical body.

  2. Pranamaya Kosha: - The Vital sheath, connected to the life force or prana.

  3. Manomaya Kosha: - The Mental or emotional sheath, relates to thoughts and feelings.

  4. Vijnanamaya Kosha: - The Intellectual sheath, responsible for knowledge and wisdom.

  5. Anandamaya Kosha: - The Bliss sheath, connected to the experience of joy and transcendence.

Other Cultural Representations:

  • Kabbalah: Tree of Life

  • Great Pyramid of the Sun: Teotihuacan

  • Tower of Babel: Symbolizes human ambition and the complexities of communication.

  • Asgard: A realm from Norse mythology, representing the home of gods.

Holding Out for a Hero

Group Activity: A Hero for Our Time

  • Step 1: Select a Hero:

    • Engage as a group to select a figure considered a hero for the current era.

    • This figure can be mythological, historical, fictional, or based on real-life experiences.

    • Important to evaluate the challenges facing the modern world and the heroic qualities needed to tackle them.

  • Step 2: Justification of the Choice (5 minutes):

    • Discuss the rationale for the selected hero by utilizing these guiding questions:

    • Qualities/Values: What specific values or qualities justify this person as a hero?

    • Challenges Overcome: What obstacles has this figure faced or overcome?

    • Inspiration Contribution: How does this figure inspire society or contribute positively?

    • Comparison to Mythological Heroes: How does this figure compare to traditional heroes from mythology?