We also have the great work of the Joseph Campbell Foundation to thank for preserving and extending Campbell’s legacy. I’m excited to share some of my favorite Ideas we can apply to our lives TODAY so let’s jump straight in. We have Notes on three of Campbell’s books so far ( Pathways to Bliss, The Power of Myth, and A Joseph Campbell Companion ), but THIS book (written in 1949) is the one that captures the essence of his thoughts on the “monomyth” that shows up across all cultures. If you’ve ever heard of the “Hero’s Journey,” you have him and his lifelong commitment to studying mythology to thank. Joseph Campbell was an American author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. ~ Joseph Campbell from The Hero with a Thousand Faces As we are told in the Vedas: ‘Truth is one, the sages speak of it by many names.’”

My hope is that a comparative elucidation may contribute to the perhaps not-quite-desperate cause of those forces that are working in the present world for unification, not in the name of some ecclesiastical or political empire, but in the sense of human mutual understanding. There are of course differences between the numerous mythologies and religions of mankind, but this is a book about the similarities and once these are understood the differences will be found to be much less great than is popularly (and politically) supposed. The same objection might be brought, however, against any textbook or chart of anatomy, where the physiological variations of race are disregarded in the interest of a basic general understanding of the human physique. Perhaps it will be objected that in bringing out the correspondences I have overlooked the differences between the various Oriental and Occidental, modern, ancient, and primitive traditions. The parallels will be immediately apparent and these will develop a vast and amazingly constant statement of the basic truths by which man has lived throughout the millennia of his residence on this planet. The second step will be then to bring together a host of myths and folktales from every corner of the world, and to let the symbols speak for themselves. Without regarding this as the last word on the subject, one can nevertheless permit it to serve as an approach.

But first we must learn the grammar of the symbols, and as a key to this mystery I know of no better tool than psychanalysis. Once we have learned to read again their symbolic language, it requires no more than the talent of an anthologist to let their teachings be heard. The old teachers knew what they were saying.

“It is the purpose of the present book to uncover some of the truths disguised for us under the figures of religion and mythology by bringing together a multitude of not-too-difficult examples and letting the ancient meaning become apparent of itself.

The hero has a thousand faces