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I am still learning the art of unlearning how to be distracted. Life is all about love. I declare I will establish peace (the perfume of God) in this world in my lifetime. I wanna have my kicks before the whole shithouse goes up in flames (God forbid...) All is well within.

Joseph Campbell also said this:

Michael Toms and Joseph Campbell:

TOMS: What about the desire to follow a guru? We see religions and cults based on the teacher-disciple relationship flourishing
everywhere.

CAMPBELL: I think that is bad news. I really do think you can take
clues from teachers � I know you can. But, you see, the traditional
Oriental idea is that the student should submit absolutely to the
teacher. The guru actually assumes responsibility for the student�s
moral life, and this is total giving. I don�t think that�s quite proper
for a Western person. One of the big spiritual truths for the West is
that each of us is a unique creature, and consequently has a unique
path.

There�s one quotation I ran into in La Queste del Saint Graal which
hit me as being the essence of what I�d call the European or Western
spirituality. The knights of King Arthur�s court were seated at table
and Arthur would not let the meal be served until an adventure had
occurred. And, indeed, an adventure did occur. The Grail itself
appeared, carried by angelic miracle, covered, however, by a cloth.
Everyone was in rapture and then it withdrew. Arthur�s nephew
Gawain stood up and said, "I propose a vow. I propose that we should
all go in pursuit of this Grail to behold it unveiled." And it was
determined that that was what they would do. And then occur these
lines which seem to me so wonderful: "They thought it would be a
disgrace to go forth in a group. Each entered the forest that he had
chosen where there was no path and where it was darkest." Now, if
there�s a way or path, it�s someone else�s way; and the guru has a
path for you. He knows where you are on it. He knows where he is
on it, namely, way ahead. And all you can do is get to be as great as
he is. This is a continuation of the dependency of childhood; maturity
consists in outgrowing that and becoming your own authority for your
life. And this quest for the unknown seems so romantic to Oriental
people. What is unknown is the fulfillment of your own unique life,
the likes of which has never existed on the earth. And you are the
only one who can do it. People can give you clues how to fall down
and how to stand up; but when to fall and when to stand, and when
you are falling, and when you are standing, this only you can know.
And in the way of your own talents is the only way to do it.

TOMS: Isn�t it important to respect our own uniqueness?

CAMPBELL: I think that�s the most important thing of all. That�s why,
as l said, you really can�t follow a guru. You can�t ask somebody to
give The Reason, but you can find one for yourself; you decide what
the meaning of your life is to be. People talk about the meaning of
life; there is no meaning of life � there are lots of meanings of
different lives, and you must decide what you want your own to be.

Helen: Thank you for the inspiring Joseph Campbell quote. He is an inspiration. That being said, I am not exactly sure why you have posted that particular quote here. Is there something else YOU want to say? Do you have concerns or objections about the particular path I am on? What, exactly is YOUR point (not Joseph Campbell's)?

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