The Power of Myth examines the role of mythology in defining and refining our societies, beliefs, and culture. Listen to a lecture featuring Shiv Oss, who joined us to share his knowledge, resources, quotes, and prose.

To hear more from Shiv, you can sign up for his daily email to receive photography, writing prompts, and general musings. Email Shiv at naughal@gmail.com.

Further learning and resources mentioned in the discussion:

1. The Story of Carl Gustav Jung Laurens van der Post BBC 1972 – YouTube.
2. The Four Quartets.
3. Joseph Campbell.
4. Jung & The Self.
5. The Hidden Dimension.
6. The Story Of Indra.
7. Follow Your Bliss.
8. LivingIn Accord With Nature.
9. Jung & Persona.
10. Paul Stamets.
11. Laurie Anderson.
12. All My Relations.
13. Terence McKenna – True Hallucinations.

QUOTES from the Power of Myth – Discussion with Shiv Oss.

• We are lived by powers we pretend to understand: They arrange our loves; it is they who direct at the end, the enemy bullet, the sickness, or even our hand. — W. H. Auden.
• Naked and alone we came into exile. In her dark womb we did not know our mother’s face; from the prison of her flesh have we come into the unspeakable and incommunicable prison of this earth.
• Which of us has known his brother? Which of us has looked into his father’s heart? Which of us has not remained forever prison-pent? Which of us is not forever a stranger and alone?….Remembering speechlessly we seek the great forgotten language, the lost lane into heaven…Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel
• There are some things which cannot be learned quickly and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are the very simplest things and because it takes a man’s life to know them the little new that each man gets from life is very costly and the only heritage he has to leave. Ernest Hemmingway

POEM: Snow Owl

Snow Owl remembers the night That descended on your soul

You flew into the darkness And forgot you weren’t born alone

You were made to take the cold You were born to bear the cross

You asked the light to bring the flame To those who were lost

You call in the rain You cry in the snow

You asked the light to bring the flame To those who were lost

Snow Owl is the mystery That aches in the dark

Snow Owl is the heartbeat That longs for your heart

You were brought to this earth To help raise the dead

Look under my snow For the blood that you shed

Do you want salvation Do you want rest

How far will you go And do what is best

Snow Owl is the mystery That aches in the dark

Snow Owl is the heartbeat That longs for your heart

When you come to the place Open your heart

Remember the cries Remember your part

You are the horror That descended that night

You are the blizzard That rages for the light

Snow Owl is the mystery That aches in the dark

Snow Owl is the heartbeat That longs for your heart

You call to the wind You sing to the snow

You fly to the source You live what you know

You were made to take the cold You were born to bear the cross

You asked the light to bring the flame To those who are lost

You are the mystery That aches in the dark

You are the heartbeat That longs for the sacred heart

Erratum:

Snow Owl remembers the night That descended on your soul

You flew into the darkness And forgot you weren’t born alone

You were made to take the cold You were born to bear the cross

You asked the light to bring the flame To those who were lost

You call in the rain You cry in the snow

You’re sick of the lies And you don’t want to know

— Shivanand Oss.