Ian MacKenzie: The Masculine Longing for Mythic Imagination
Mar 14, 2023
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Ian MacKenzie, filmmaker and host of the Mythic Masculine Podcast, discusses mythopoetic masculinity. Topics include the history of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement, the value of myth vs fact in exploring truth, and Ian's four year cycle of fasting in the wilderness.
Moving beyond a literal understanding of issues like climate change and masculinity by adopting a mythic lens can lead to new dimensions and deeper understanding.
The mythopoetic men's movement has limitations in creating lasting change due to its focus on weekend retreats and lack of integration into everyday life, highlighting the need for a genuine and sustained cultural shift.
Recognizing the value of myth in understanding and exploring gender, building and sustaining real culture, and embracing intentional trauma in rites of passage are important aspects discussed in the podcast.
Deep dives
The Collapse of the Mythic Imagination
The collapse of the mythic imagination is discussed in this podcast episode. The importance of moving beyond a literal understanding of issues like climate change and masculinity is emphasized. By adopting a mythic lens, new dimensions and deeper understanding can be accessed.
The Limitations of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement
The mythopoetic men's movement is explored, and its limitations in creating lasting change are acknowledged. The movement's focus on weekend retreats and lack of integration into everyday life is highlighted. The need for a genuine and sustained cultural shift is emphasized.
The Power of Myth and the Importance of Real Culture
The value of myth in understanding and exploring gender is discussed. The podcast dives into the significance of building and sustaining real culture, rather than relying on anti-culture. The concept of intentional trauma in rites of passage is explored, along with the importance of humility and the role of the hero archetype in personal growth.
The Importance of Myth and Mythopoetic Thinking
Myth, often relegated to movies and popular culture, plays a crucial role in how we perceive and make meaning of our lives. Mythopoetic thinking offers a deeper understanding of our experiences beyond the literal, allowing us to tap into a richer dimension of existence. It is essential to recognize that myth is not solely psychological or internal; it also relates to our connection with the world and the spirits of place. Neglecting this broader perspective can lead to a loss of connection with the world and an overemphasis on the self.
The Pitfalls of the Internal and the Role of Community
In a culture that prioritizes individualism and self-care, there is a danger in focusing too much on the self and internal experiences. Social media platforms like Instagram often promote a self-oriented narrative, perpetuating the idea that the refuge from the self can be found within the self. However, true healing and transformation require more than self-focus. They necessitate genuine community, shared experiences, and rituals that create alchemical spaces for growth and understanding. Initiations, rituals, and communal gatherings are crucial in providing a sense of belonging, witnessing, and transformative growth beyond individualistic pursuits.
Today Ian Mackenzie returns to Life is a Festival to discuss mythopoetic masculinity. Ian is a filmmaker, essayist, and host of the Mythic Masculine Podcast and A Gathering of Stories. He is teaching a new online class called Re-storying Masculinity with Advaya which starts on March 14th.
Our conversation begins with a history of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement and its splinter, Men’s Rights activism. We talk about how mainstream culture is really an anti culture that eats culture, including mens work. Ian shares the value of myth vs fact in exploring truth and some of the lessons from three years of interviews about masculinity on his podcast. Ian also shares the story of his four year cycle of fasting in the wilderness for a four day “sit.”
Ian has written on subjects ranging from Burning Man to Occupy Wall Street and made films on topics like Sacred Economics, and Tamera the Love School in Portugal. He hosts the Mythic Masculine Podcast and A Gathering of Stories and his most recent offering is Re-storying Masculinity.
