What does it mean to be an adult? How will I know when I'm there? I'm a big believer in the potential for modern psychology to provide us with answers to these questions. It's why I've devoted a whole page of this blog to my ideas about adult development. And yet, the field of psychology often lacks the depth of humanity and emotional impact of myth and art. Reading the myths and symbols of people who lived thousands of years ago, viewing a painting, listening to a song...these experiences are qualitatively different than reading the stodgy prose of a 20th century psychologist. So what are those myths, those works of art, that I've found to be the most helpful models for the adult I want to become?
The Hero's Journey (i.e. Follow Your Bliss)
Joseph Campbell, who studied the myths and legends of seemingly every culture since the dawn of human history, had a powerful take on the universal art form of the "hero story." To Campbell, hero tales are, simply put, accounts of individual human beings finding the courage to "follow their bliss." This means following one's inner voice and identifying those things in life that provide one with bliss, and building upon them. The modern hero, then, is the person who, against the pressures of family and society, can find the strength and perseverance to create their own unique, blissful path through life, rather than follow a path already tread by others. This is the hero's journey. And it's a reading of myth and legend that I want to always remember as there will always be times when I become fearful of following my inner voice. As an additional note on this concept, I want to point out that the hero's journey is in no way a selfish endeavor, as might be implied. In following our bliss, we are able to reach our human potential and provide society with rejuvinating, healthy energy.
My Inner Jesus/Buddha
Jesus and The Buddha represent many of the goals I have for myself as an adult...peace, compassion, honesty, humility. They represent my most positive manifestation as a human being. And, for this reason, the myths of Jesus and The Buddha have become helpful to me as a model of adult development.
