Myth, creativity, consciousness
podcast links and other news
“Noting these tokens and examples some have saidthat a share of divine intelligence is in bees,and a draught of (a)ether: since there is a god in everything…”—Virgil, The “Georgics,” 29 BCE Stories from contemporary indigenous cultures convey an ecological … Continued
We are an impossibility in an impossible universe.” ― Ray Bradbury The impossibilities of our existence are more than a matter of statistics and probabilities. Our stories remind us of the tensions that we are called to … Continued
“He is now struck with wonder by what’s wonderful in him…”—-Ovid’s Myth of Narcissus, translated by Allen Mandelbaum In the most popular version of the myth of Narcissus, a beautiful young man rejects many adoring suitors and falls in … Continued
Our notion of “self” is one of the deep and enduring mysteries of human existence. The concept of self is both obvious and unfathomable, the meanings elusive and diverse. It can range from the concrete “me” to the illusory– … Continued
What is animism? Anthropomorphism? How are they different, and why might these ideas matter to you? My friend and colleague Rohini Walker recently invited me to talk with her about these questions. Our conversation was recorded as the … Continued
Birds have a unique place in our cultural imagination. Observing their habits, our ancestors learned about home building, foraging, and partnership. Their presence inspired our earliest art forms and culture. Today birds still teach us about sorrow and death, … Continued
