Living Myth

What is the soul? It's described as the essential connecting force of life, bridging the physical and spiritual realms. Each soul is on a unique adventure, facing challenges that awaken inner creativity and nobility. We explore our original soul agreements and how societal influences shape our journeys. Discover the importance of reconnecting with our inner guide for true happiness and personal transformation. Through life's crises, we learn about spiritual awakening and the bonds that connect us to eternity.

Dive into the ancient tale of Pandora's Box and uncover its true origins, focusing on the impulsive nature of Epimetheus. Explore how this myth reflects today’s societal anxieties and the folly of so-called strong leaders. The contrast between blind ambition and foresight highlights the chaos unleashed by human actions. Discover how authentic hope can emerge from confronting despair and embracing creativity. Finally, recognize your unique purpose in healing the world and supporting collective renewal.

Explore how our personal stories intertwine with the world's great drama, revealing deeper connections to nature and myth. Discover how fear can catalyze awakening but can also isolate us. Unearth archetypal themes of creation and renewal through ancient myths, emphasizing the divine feminine's role in fostering unity. Navigate the dynamics of duality, recognizing how chaos can inspire creativity. Finally, reconnect with your inner essence and the cosmos, as collective transformation unfolds amidst personal journeys.

Explore the vital role of elders in guiding wisdom and leadership, emphasizing their significance as cultural and spiritual guides. Discover how traditional societies revered elders for their deep insights, contrasting it with today's often undervalued authority. Delve into the concept of the 'inner elder,' highlighting the difference between mere knowledge and profound, heart-based wisdom. Listeners are encouraged to awaken their inner elder to navigate life's challenges with greater perspective and maturity.

A teacher sparks controversy by standing firm on inclusive classroom posters, championing her students' rights amidst societal pressures. The discussion dives into the conflict between institutional policies and educators' beliefs in fostering a nurturing environment. It highlights the essence of true education, advocating for creativity and individuality over conformity. Additionally, hear a touching story of a grandmother sharing magical crystals with children, emphasizing connection, kindness, and the pursuit of authentic values in our busy lives.

The discussion kicks off with the historical evolution of propaganda, tracing its origins and transformation into a tool for manipulating public opinion. It highlights the challenges of navigating truth amidst misinformation in our polarized world. Emotional and psychological effects of rapid-fire propaganda are explored, revealing its goal of sowing division. The conversation also emphasizes reconnecting with our inner nobility and wisdom to counter negativity, suggesting that these timeless truths can withstand the noise of modern narratives.

In a world swirling with chaos, the discussion highlights the importance of self-awareness and inner guidance as essential tools for resilience. Delving into the relationship between radicalization and identity, insights from Rumi illustrate personal growth amid despair. The exploration of a deep self reveals a universal connection that aids in understanding during turbulent times. The podcast also addresses the struggle between ego and essence, advocating for shedding the ego to embrace transformation and inner wisdom for meaningful growth.

This episode of focuses on the dehumanizing aspects of autocratic movements. The increasing uncertainties about the future create vacuums that would be dictators and autocrats seek to fill with big lies and fraudulent claims that are presented with a false sense of certainty. The autocratic playbook that they all inevitably follow requires that they enforce forms of economic and informational isolation and instill a siege mentality that depicts the outside world as being hostile, unfair and dangerous.   Authoritarian leaders deliberately seek to polarize people and radicalize what would otherwise be civil societies. They intentionally promote divisiveness and force people to take sides, while also demanding undivided loyalty to themselves. Autocrats cannot succeed unless others in power or seeking power assist them in creating an alternative reality. Eventually, those who enable and help justify the authoritarian regime lose their own ability to resist the inevitable descent into brutality, nihilism and violence.   When questioning the judgment or actions of a leader equates to blasphemy, when blind loyalty overrides individual ethics and collective values, and when healthcare, science and education become tools for serving the agenda of the self-proclaimed savior rather than for seeking for truth and understanding, then a society has entered a critical phase of a life threatening socio-political disease.   Autocratic leaders do not simply undermine institutions and sabotage basic freedoms, they also seek to normalize dehumanizing behaviors that make social and political violence unavoidable. If some people are denied their part in the whole of humanity, that leads to a diminishing of all the people.    Ultimately, history is written in the depths of individual human souls and the story we are in is still being written. If we allow those in power to deny a genuine sense of humanity to some, we can only continue to lose our way and further lose our souls. If we open ourselves to the understanding that we are literally all in the same story, each suffering in our own way, we may find genuine ways to help heal and protect each other and have no need and no room for would be autocrats or self-appointed kings.   Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his free online event “Radical Resilience” on Thursday, March 27. Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.    You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 650 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth.   If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

Exploring the dual nature of the king archetype, the discussion highlights how positive leadership can be overshadowed by tyranny and hubris. Delving into figures like Donald Trump, the dark side of power is examined, revealing the reckless behaviors that arise from excessive pride. The conversation extends to historical contexts, illustrating the impact of Hubris Syndrome on leaders and society. Amidst rising autocracy, a call for clarity and connection emerges, urging a return to community engagement and understanding.

Michael Meade explores the transformative power of facing our fears and embracing darkness as a pathway to wisdom. He emphasizes the difference between simple knowledge and genuine wisdom, which fosters unity and healing. The discussion highlights how confronting sorrow can lead to deep personal growth and a nobler character. By engaging with fear and life's challenges, individuals can discover hidden resources and cultural practices that enhance fulfillment and community well-being.