Have We Misunderstood the Science of Mythology?
By Maria Anna van Driel, www.medium.com
Mythology is an artistic performance, so, yes, this study overlaps the ART in STE(A)M.
Once our whilom Earth saw an evolution in where people across oceans and vast tracts of land to then step onto and conquer, the territory of others. This sounds to grisly moments in history but this has not always been done with war-like thoughts and aggression. Many ancient civilizations have ‘conquered’ an uplifting and rich knowledge through sacred storytelling, aka Mythology and Folklore which express the beliefs and values about these subjects held by a certain culture, including our own.
Whether the story told lies in the framework of sacred symbolism drawn on the wall of a cave, the historical events shown in a documentary or, in science fictional movies, stories always brought the transformation of people’s surroundings into something else, something more than what was physically in front of their eyes.
In this I do not mean the entertainment that is produced for us, and that we consume. I mean the stories that are playing out in the midst of your life and that need to be told. The sacred story that unfolds in the ordinary moments, and in the midst of the joy and tragedy of being alive. Because yes, sacredstories are far from being a thing of the past.
Storytelling was of great importance to many civilizations from the past. Nowadays we tend to think of ‘stories’ being a 10 minute bed-time-story about fictional worlds and its habitants for our children to enter a dreamy world. But, storytelling is still holding this same importance, its meaning and our traditions which are often best conveyed not by theological statements or scholarly arguments, but by simply telling them.
Through storytelling, the “other” becomes real, human, and knowable, and barriers between seemingly separate individuals are erased. Stories can open our hearts in a way that few things can. They teach us about our origin both psychical and spiritual.
Why is the study of Mythology, Myth and Folklore important?
Regrettably, storytelling is often overlooked in contemporary education. Unusual or surprising, as it might sounds to those who tend to think of ancient stories falling in the remit of being ‘cinematic’, but mythology is an artistic performance, so, yes, this study overlaps the ART in STE(A)M.
The study of myth with its storehouse of narratives and images can help guide us by facilitating our personal and collective transition into a more vibrant reality. Myth reveals the unconscious narratives of both past and present, making the study of myth vitally important to our time and thus young people.
“If we think of myths as existential or fundamental stories—stories that without which we would not be us— this allows us to view mythology both in past and in present times, and to distinguish these stories from the wider term of “religion.” Anthropologist and Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, Tok Thompson says.
“All religions have myths, and as far as I’m aware—creation stories of how, for instance, people came to be. Myths can be distinct from institutional religion.”
By telling our story, whether it be adapted from a folk tale, sacred text, or a personal experience, we draw upon what can be considered as “the Torah of our lives” – the sacred text that lives within us all. Storytelling, like music and other creative endeavors, is a way to break through analytical modes of understanding.
In the books “The Truth of Myth” and “The Ancient Mythology of Modern Science: A Mythologist Looks (Seriously) at Popular Science Writing” the authors explore and argue that mythology, like science, is a means for approaching “truth”, and that mythology, through its powerful narratives shapes the sort of questions they ask, and the categories they assume to be natural.
“Myths are very much a part of our present day lives”, Professor Thompson explains. “Both myths in Western culture (like Jehovah creating the world, and mankind, or even of Ancient Aliens coming down and crafting our world), and those outside of Western culture (say, Native American myths, which are still very strong for many groups today— or indeed, in just about any non-Abrahamic tradition in the world.”
Pre-historic cave paintings, etchings in stone, tombs, and monuments, they all suggest that, long before human beings set down their myths in words, they had already developed a belief structure corresponding to the definition of `myth’.
The study of mythology is something we should encourage young people to enroll. Not only because this key-unlocking scientific field is exploring the interpretation of traditional and sacred tales of a culture, aka myths or, the collection of such stories which deal with various aspects of the human condition, it also express the beliefs and values about these subjects held by a certain culture and addresses the meaning of life and death, the afterlife and the gods or a god. So, what one might call ‘cinematic storytelling’ in the present day was of great importance to ancient civilizations.
In this we may say that both Mythology and the (sacred) stories told, are the origin of the, philosophical, life questions we are still asking ourselves. I wonder if this why they are still so powerful today?
A personal thought
Personally, I think that we have become this remote from the, or any, “truth” lies in the rapid evolution of artificial technologies creating a form of ‘creative laziness’. I mean, once we created our world(s) by voicing our thoughts, dreams and (spiritual) experiences. Today we accept the avalanche of information we read on this electronic highway, aka internet, without giving it a second thought. Creativity has almost disappeared from our existence and thus this world what once connected us with ourselves, other humans and animals on a psychological level. Sadly, but today we are being ridiculed, rejected, when expressing the believe in, for instance, the Akashic records. Why, because dozens of articles have written it all in this box what is labeled “Crap Factor”.
Still, these same people who call it, among others, ‘hypothetical nonsense’ do apply mathematical equations to their theories in order to proof the correctness of it. But, did you know that math is Mother nature’s logical philosophy on chaos what, in turn, seems to connect every species on both this planet and in the universe?
With my humble knowledge in Mythology, I am pretty sure that we can find several ancient stories speaking of such a connection which can be connected to, for instance, the Pythagorean Theorem.
Hum, it seems that we are allowed to remove this silly label from that infamous box after all.
Reiki; Does it Brings the Human Psyche Into an Alternative State of Reality?
With the owner and president of the company Austen & Parker and Reiki practitioner, Davina Zarnighian
Proponents and practitioners of various esoteric forms of spirituality and alternative medicine refer to a variety of claimed experiences and phenomena as being due to “energy” or “force” that defy measurement and thus are distinguished from the scientific form of energy.
Reiki is a Japanese form of alternative medicine called energy healing. Reiki practitioners use a technique called ‘palm healing’ or ‘hands-on healing’ through which a “universal energy”, aka Chi, is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing.
Even though the concept of “qi” (energy) appears throughout traditional East Asian culture, such as in the art of Feng Shui and Chinese martial arts, there seems to be no scientific evidence for the existence of such energy.
I am your host Maria Anna van Driel and you’re listening to “The Next Truth; Where Science and Myth Meet”. This week I am speaking with the owner and president of the company Austen & Parker and Reiki practitioner, Davina Zarnighian and discus with her the pro’s and con’ of Reiki and, how jewelry is related to this ancient energy healing.
[Top]Should We Take a Second Look at How We Teach These Days?
With Microsoft Certified Trainer, Dr. Keith McNally
“The earliest roots of science can be traced to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in around 3000 to 1200 BCE. Their contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and medicine entered and shaped Greek natural philosophy of classical antiquity, whereby formal attempts were made to provide explanations of events in the physical world based on natural causes.”
Nowadays, young people have a free access to a high speed electronically world we have become to know as ‘The Internet’. Wikipedia in this, is a frequently visited site for students to upgrade their already possessing knowledge.
But how reliable is the written knowledge we can find on the internet? I mean, are we in the position of adding a form of creative an critical thinking to this avalanche of information? Are we allowed to take this information, discuss it , break the taboo and convert it all into a new evolution in science?
I am your host Maria Anna van Driel and you’re listening to “The Next Truth; Where Science and Myth Meet”. This week I am speaking with Dr. Keith McNally who has created a project-based learning environments in college classrooms for the past dozen years.
“Young People Science” May/June 2021 – Out Now!
TNT-Young-People-Science-May-June-2021Scroll your mouse/cursor over the cover with the scientists and click (at the bottom of the cover) the box with the little arrows. This way you can read this month’s edition of your scientific magazine “Young People Science”.
Or, click here to download the interactive PDF via MagCloud.
From Philosophy to Microbiology…from Engineering to astrophysics, regardless which field is holding you in its grip, is firing up your curiosity… we can all agree on the fact that science is in no way boring, it rocks!
“Science Rocks!” This is an amazing message what should reach young people on a global scale. But sending this message into the world, what is improving the career opportunities for our future experts, for them to build on the incredible knowledge, discovered and refined by renowned scientist from both the past and the present, is TEAM work which in turn is an essential STEM skill.
In this edition of Young People Science we discuss some STEM, or STE(A)M subjects which are not just a subject at school it’s a way of thinking and doing and an important skill set that could see your generation working together to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
For print-on-demand and the interactive digital issues of The Next Truth magazines visit: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/1512517
The Truth of Myth
An interview with Anthropologist and Associate Professor, Tok Thompson.
‘Mythos’ is the Greek word for story-of-the-people, and ‘logos’ stands for word or speech. Myth, or Mythology, is the spoken story of a people and has played an integral part in every civilization throughout the world.
Pre-historic cave paintings, etchings in stone, tombs, and monuments all suggest that, long before human beings set down their myths in words, they had already developed a belief structure corresponding to the definition of `myth’.
Studying mythology is the interpretation of traditional and sacred tales of a culture known as myths or the collection of such stories which deal with various aspects of the human condition. For instance good and evil… the origin of place-names, animals, cultural values, and traditions. But also, the meaning of life and death, the afterlife and the gods or a god.
Myths… they express the beliefs and values about these subjects held by a certain culture. So, what one calls “mythology” in the present day, was the religion of the ancient past. But what it the truth behind these ancient stories?
Click here to be directed to Prof. Thompson’s book (Amazon)
The Lost City of Atlantis, Alien Abductions and Ghostly Apparitions; Can We Explain the Unexplainable?
An interview with freelance writer, editor and author, Kathryn Hulick
A ghostly apparition walking through the wall, an odd shaped craft hovering in the sky or strong ripples on the surface of a lake indicating that there might be a sea monster swimming by! Even though many people have seen and reported these rare but remarkable events, they do not have an explanation for what they have witnessed.
Are those, in the dark hiding, eerie shadows, truly disembodied humans who are lost or, is this an effect of Sleep Paralysis.
Is walking through a forest at night only creepy because we are breathing in these, released by the trees, small amounts of methane gas while the pineal gland in your brain is detecting the ultra– and infra sound-waves are bouncing off on the trees after it has released by your own body? Or is there something malevolent hiding behind the shrouds, waiting for you to become its prey?!
The lost city of Atlantis, alien abductions, shadow figures and haunted houses; can we explain the unexplainable?
I am your host Maria Anna van Driel and you’re listening to “The Next Truth; Where Science and Myth Meet”. This week I am speaking with freelance writer, editor and the author of the book “Strange But True: 10 of the world’s greatest mysteries explained”, Kathryn Hulick and explore with her which scientific explanations there are for what it is that is haunting our dreams.
Will a Collective and Directed Consciousness Let Us Evolve Into a Type III Civilization?
With radio host, UFO investigator and author, Philip Kinsella
Imagine what we can accomplish if we all focus our consciousness toward creating more sustainable ways of generating energy, cleaning the earth, reducing hunger or, finding solutions for interstellar travel, and educating. Focusing your motive power on one goal, towards the right direction of movement, will accelerate the velocity and will move you closer to your goal.
According to the great mind of Nikola Tesla, that is the secret formula for increasing the collective human energy, how we raise our intelligence and evolve as a species.
But all this energy emanates from one single center, one single source what maintains all human life and supplies all human energy…the sun!
Can we, with a collective and directed consciousness, address this eternal energy in the Universe? Bundle it and build advanced technologies like a biological Dyson sphere, in order to save the Earth and evolve into a type III civilization?
I am your host Maria Anna van Driel… and you’re listening to “The Next Truth; Where Science and Myth Meet”… and this week I am welcoming back clairvoyant medium, UFO researcher and co-host of the radio show “Twin Souls”, Philip Kinsella…and discuss with him if building up the human energy means higher levels of operating power for our consciousness what, eventually, might let us evolve into a type III civilization.
[Top]STE(A)M Is For All!!
Regardless if it is an online (news) article that triggered our curiosity or, a document sent by email, we click the link and start reading. This is a skill many of us take for granted without thinking twice. But there are a myriad people in the world who cannot rely on their vision fully or partly. They are, for instance, born blind or, have lost their vision after an accident.
For parents whose children are blind or, those mentors, teachers, who are working with children whose eyesight is visually impaired, below you find 3 STEM articles which can be downloaded as a PDF. Just hit the ‘read-out-loud’ function on your computer/laptop after downloading the PDF’s, for your children and/or students to listen to the articles.
The Very First Letter of STEM is ‘Science’
By Maria Anna van Driel, www.medium.com
“The earliest roots of science can be traced to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in around 3000 to 1200 BCE. Their contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and medicine entered and shaped Greek natural philosophy of classical antiquity, whereby formal attempts were made to provide explanations of events in the physical world based on natural causes.” Source: Wikipedia
Nowadays, young people have an almost free access to an interactive world we have become to know as ‘The Internet’. Wikipedia in this, is a frequently visited site for them to upgrade their already possessing knowledge.
But how reliable is the written knowledge we can find on the internet? I mean, are we in the position of adding a form of creative an critical thinking to this avalanche of information? Are we allowed to take this information, discuss it , break the taboo and convert it all into a new evolution in science?
“My research field does not quite fall within the framework of the standard model of STEM subjects.” Too often I hear this and similar comments from people experiencing this feeling of dissatisfaction what is, in my opinion, not something that should be screaming in the background of anyone’s passion for researching the myriad possibilities all sciences has to offer in the modern era we have counted to be the twenty-first century. This is not the true meaning of science. Science, regardless which field is firing up your curiosity, should start with exploring the question asked! Even if this questions falls slightly outside the frameworks of ‘accepted’ science.
So, are we allowed of breaking this problem, this taboo, and widen the boundaries that indicate the, in this line of thought, tunnel vision what seems to be taught so abundant since the removal of, for instance, Plato’s teachings?
It seems that here we are addressing that one particular sore spot in what the general public, as well as some scientists, think to understand about science. Unfortunately, this also leads to young people being taught that STEM subjects are those sciences which fall within the, by the majority, acceptable boundaries of what science is standing for.
Why is creativity necessary to science and art?
Personally, I am of the opinion that STEM (STEAM) should speak of young people gaining the opportunity to explore all corners of science without this fear of being ridiculed. Young people should have this freedom of expressing their creativity in what we have become to understand as the standard model for science. This creativity is necessary in all sciences because it involves imagination, and imagination equals visualization. In other words, creativity in itself has ‘created’ the world we live in today.
Think about it, would a mathematician really be able to solve the problem in the moment he or she is focusing on the flat numbers only? Visualizing the numbers, use them as coordinates and connect them and, convert it all into multidimensional objects floating in a Euclidean space, seems to be a much easier way to solve a math problem.
Did you know that mathematics can be discerned in arts such as music, dance, painting, architecture, sculpture, and textiles? And did you also know that these are considered to be the first ‘technologies’ used in cultures and societies? I wonder how a skyscraper would look like when this creative visualization (thinking outside the box) is not taught to, for instance, an engineer.
How it all connects
Even though Science is with humanity for centuries, it is still in its infant moment but that does not mean that as soon as you find yourself not agreeing with someone’s research results you should sweep it under the carpet and label it is as pseudo-science or, ‘hypothetical nonsense’.
You know that, at one point in time, the pony express was thought of being the fastest way to transport messages but, in that same period the Romans already had the intelligence to think of VLC (visible light communication) what most likely was copied from their Egyptians neighbors who understood the effect in charging light even more by using ‘mirrors’. Today we understand this as photon trapping which is something that is accepted by the majority.
Centauries later this term VLC, as well as its engineering, went beyond its own borders due to the curiosity of those who applied critical thinking to their scientific research. And if they did not had done so, none of us would have touch screens, internet, cell phones, electricity, a car… and physicists would not had the possibility to discover the Higgs Boson. Never forget, once upon at time there were scientific adventurist, visionaries, pioneers, who thought up an apparatus you know today as an accelerator.
So, for all who are convinced that their research field is a bit outside the remit of any STEM subject, this thought falls within the range of being incorrect and seems to be based on a behavior of the majority accepting knowledge in a democratic manner. I wonder, how would the world today look like if Leonardo DaVinci, Nicolai Tesla, Albert Einstein, Carl Gustav Jung, Erwin Schödinger, just to name a few, had not applied this way of thinking to their research? Would we had the opportunity to speak with each other through this medium we call “Internet” and read the psychology between the lines of an email?
Remember that the very first letter of STEM is Science which is from the Latin word scientia, meaning “knowledge” what can refer to a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject and can be acquired in many different ways and from many different sources, including but not limited to perception, reason, memory, testimony, scientific inquiry, education, and practice.
According to Wikipedia, “The philosopher Plato famously pointed out the need for a distinction between knowledge and true belief in the Theaetetus, leading many to attribute to him a definition of knowledge as “justified true belief”. The difficulties with this definition raised by the Gettier problem have been the subject of extensive debate in epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge) for more than half a century.”
On the latter, do I have to say more?
[Top]Why Our Brain is Translating Logical Objects Into Mythological Creatures and Eerie Shadows
With California State University’s Prof. of psychology, Matthew J. Sharps
Have you ever seen a dark shadow or silhouette at night while you cannot make out an attribute or features…just darkness. You might think it is your own shadow cast on the wall by a misplaced light. But as you stand still, the shadow…suddenly…moves.
Throughout the history many cultures and nations have documented their experiences regarding this phenomenon what has become know in modern parapsychology as…the shadow people.
Many theories ´have been written ever since about what these shadowy figures are. Are they ghosts? Spirits, demons, angles? Or are they something entirely else?
Psychologists studying religion have long suspected that a belief in the paranormal can be a kind of shield from the even harsher truths of the world. The idea is that when something unexpected happens – a death, natural disaster, or job loss – the brain scrambles around for answers, looking for a meaning in this chaos.
Cognitive psychology has some explanations for this behavior as well. It turns out that understanding the “messages” of unseen agents is directly related to how we comprehend the minds of other human beings. Have we all became hard-core solipsists?
I am your host Maria Anna van Driel… and you’re listening to “The Next Truth; Where Science and Myth Meet” and this week I am welcoming back California State University’s Professor of psychology, Matthew Sharps… and discuss with him the influences of modern and traditional religion have on the paranormal and why our brain is translating logical objects into mythological creatures and eerie shadows.
[Top]