I recently finished reading,Ā American Soul: A Cultural Narrative.Ā It was not easy to read but offered an importantĀ and unique way of looking at large scale traumatic events. The author, Ronald Schenk, states in the intro, “American soul is a book based on psychology, and as the psyche is in an indefinable concept in itself, it reflects and is reflected by by many different disciplines and aspects of cultural life. The book borrows from political science, literature, economics, theology, and sociologyāwhile claiming expertise in none.”
American Soul delves into American rhetoric surrounding historical and current conditions and events to unearth an underlying cultural narrative or myth rooted in America’s particular Judeo-Christian tradition. Exploring the birth and evolution of the nation, foreign policy, political tropes, and the challenges of Katrina, 9/11, Enron, and the financial meltdown, a cultural image emerges which runs counter to popularly accepted notions of the nation’s core identity.
I found it eye openingĀ to read about American history throughĀ the lensĀ of myth. No matter how you feel about the political issues, the book is sure to activate your creative powers. One bigĀ take away for me, from reading American Soul, isĀ the concept of using myĀ intuitiveĀ connectionĀ toĀ myth andĀ identity in active imagination (AI) toĀ reveal collective issues ofĀ national or globalĀ concern.
Why develop the AIĀ technique? The information discoveredĀ in this process is potentially very valuable on a personal andĀ socialĀ level. Being consciously aware of fears and unseen unconscious activities, before theyĀ mysteriously manifest and cause bigger problems, is the goal. (Somewhat like avoiding the hidden dangers of an iceberg to a ship) Maintaining aĀ dialog between the ego and unconscious results in aĀ healthier integrated being – or that’s the pitch for most schools of meditation etc. (and my personal experience) It also expandsĀ creative potentialĀ by practicingĀ dialogĀ theĀ source of creativityĀ in ones unconscious – nice for artists and other creative professions.
Steps for usingĀ Myth, Active Imagination, and Amplification to understand Political issues
Step1, the image:
I selected an image from the Gilgamesh myth to start myĀ active imagination session.
Step2, active imagination:
I sat, as if for meditation, and began to day dream…
I picture a sad Gilgamesh, returned from misadventure, outside Uruk. I ask for a tour of the city. He opens a door in the wall. I want to stay in the sun with the plants. He opens the door again. Finally I follow down spiral steps. Each step is bigger until Iām crawling over the edge, and drop into a dirt cave. I hear Gilgamesh humming in the dark. I complain that I want a tour of the city. We are transported to a wall and I see in detail how Gilgamesh is attractive and regal. Suddenly playful Gilgamesh brings up the sun, with a wave of his hand, and then brings up the moon with the next gesture. Flapping like an ADD kid he changes the night to day and the day to night quickly until I slow it down. I watch the colors change. Iām now at burning man, itās twilight, and the giant Gilgamesh towers isolated over the city. He takes off toward the beach with his friend Ankidu. I watch them play in the surf like children, slightly confused and irritated by their repetitive splashing about.
I write down the daydream and look for themes to understand it’s meaning.
Step 3, amplification:
Analysis and research. I choose to focus onĀ the theme of light and dark in my active imagination and it reminded me of a sun dial. Gilgamesh was like the GodĀ of time chaining the night to day and day to night. Burning man is also a circular city based on the clock with the giant man in the center.
I did aĀ google search for ‘god of time’ and ‘father of time’ and found the myth of Cronus. In learning more about the Greek myth I found additional connections, imprisonment in a cave, importance of the sea, and giants. I found a niceĀ rap battle on youtube the summarizes the story:
Step 4, personal and social relevance:
What do I do about it?Ā Personally I might question weather there is a revolution brewingĀ in my subconscious and if my ego is resisting the death required for a my healthy transformation in theĀ development of my own psyche. From my own subconscious the solution might be to find ways to empowerĀ my inner child’s desire to play. If I don’t find ways to play, my subconscious might flare up at inappropriate momentsĀ and causeĀ undesired consequences. For example, I might make a inappropriateĀ joke or be unable to focus on serious matters.
How does it connect to social issues?Ā Intuitively I amĀ concerned about casualties of war, as one regimeĀ of leaders replaces the next, and how throughout time the refugees are seenĀ as a necessary part of aĀ nations development.Ā It is estimated that the number of refugees in Egypt is between 152,000 and three million due to political wars in the region (source). Would reimagining ancient myths, like Cronus, allow us to find new solutions to ancient patterns. It seems possibleĀ that promoting techniques of self awareness that facilitate a dialog between the historically opposing ego and unconsciousĀ could have an impact:
… the hope is predicated on a deeply moral transformation from within. Effecting such an evolution toward enlightened and morally anchored democratic citizenship appears to be the overarching meta-goal of the organizations, above and beyond their daily agendas…Ā “The new civic mentality was defined, first and foremost, as self-respect and personal responsibility.”SOURCE)
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