The Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor as Myth and as Religion (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)

This book gives many examples of the relativity apparent in religious symbols during the worlds time line. It is a book to study not a quick read. The center of mystical relativity is focused more on yoga Chakra, then Buddhism outward until beliefs that barley touch modern logical scientific thinking. Yoga meaning: oneness with one's inner-self," matches the the book's title. This book answers a question I have heard muttered many times, "Why is America having so many social behavioral problems?" "Why is the world in chaos?" The book explores the quantum leap advancement of mankind in relationship to the archaic belief systems; dissolving the very foundations of the collective unconscious mind.

I love Joseph Campbell's works. Although this is very scholarly written, and at times difficult to read, It's worth culling out the key important points of Myth, Metaphor and Religion. Earth's new view of Religion and Myth should be any photo of our known Universe as viewed through the telescopic view of the HUBBLE TELESCOPES and later advanced telescopes. The Bible and the Koran and other religious texts written with a world view 2000 or more years ago just doesn't fit the Mythology of today.

Myths and ReligionShows and describes certain mythic motifs that are common to all. Ancient artwork is shown in this book. "The Buddhists speak of Buddha Realms. These are planes and orders of consciousness that can be brought to mind thourgh meditaions on appropriately mythologized forms. Plato tells of universal ideas, the memory of which is lost at birth through philosophy." Joseph CampbellMuch is forgotten after we incarnate, yet through Philosphy we remember much of what we knew before we incarnated into physical form.Discussed many cultures mythology and also had great stories from India.

He draws some interesting parallels between prehistoric myth and various religions. The Abrahamic religions seem to draw on these prior myths for the stories of a great flood and concepts of how the world began and man's place in it. His basic thesis is that modern technology is leading us toward a new myth paradigm that fits our expanded base of knowledge and man's place in the larger universe.

If you like Joseph Campbell you'll like this. He penetrates the surface as only he can do. I wish he was around today to interrupt new archaeological finds like those in eastern Turkey.

This book is a classic. Just by the autor , Joseph Campbell you can be sure has quality, is well fundamented, profound, and yet, easy to read. It connects Inner realities with Outer realities in an amazing way. The edition is well prepared.

I learn from all his writings like I am in his classroom. He does not preach but expose universal truths. This last chapter in particular "The way of the artist" makes remarkable correlations between the artist and the mystic.

Always good to get a Joseph Campbell book. Every age sees his ideas in a new perspective, so having any of his books at any age and rereading and rereading, is always a plus and interesting revelation.What a phenomenal mind!!!!

I was delighted with this book, it is one I did not have and it resonated with what would have been in his lifetime.., the beginning of what Quantum Physics would reveal in the decade after his death. As the DOS of Servants of the Light School I highly reccommend ALL Campbell's books as background reading. Although he remained a committed Catholic during his life, his was mind that was open to new ideas and never closed to a different interpretation.

Excellent book really enjoyed, alot of information on abit of everything.

As always thought provoking and beautifully written. Slightly different than the more complex works but great nevertheless. As an artist I found the "Way of Art" chapter especially interesting.