I have just begun the research for a paper on the archetype of story. My first thoughts are to begin by talking about the brain. There are references to the idea that our brains are "hard wired" for story. I am interested in the structures and nature of story.
Later in the paper I could address the power of story and the ability of story to bring about healing/change.
It seems to me that myth lives within the archetype of story for story is the overriding archetype.
I would love to hear any thoughts, suggestions, possible references for the archetype of story.
Thank you,
Jane
Replies
Stories, are to me, like poetry and arts– they channel a soulful language. Many soulful stories follow a “labyrinth pattern” - the labyrinth used in matriarchal cultures and specially walked ritualistically in equinoxes (balance of opposites) is proved, as far as I read, to have a positive effect in the brainwaves. The labyrinth has a thesis, an antitheses and a synthesis; has the beginning of the hero`s journey, the finding the treasure and the returning metamorphosis. The center in the labyrinth, the mandala in the story - often as Marie Louise Von Franz says, those golden balls, rings, or other instruments that symbolize the same center: the Self. Many connections as we are told in the axiom; As within so without.
Fascinating! Thank you so much. Although I have walked the labyrinth, I need to do more research. Do you know of any sources that would be helpful?
Best wishes, Jane
Thanks Jane! you can go to http://www.labyrinthos.net/ and http://www.veriditas.org/ for interesting information.
Blessings,
Vera
Jamie, I came across the idea that listening to a story changes the brain. I will be following up on that information. Another idea is that the brain is "hard wired" for story.There are people like Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madronah , M.D. who says that stories can heal. There are others who say the same thing. There is something called the storyteller trance and it may have something to do with getting the rational mind out of the way.
Hi Jane,
I have worked with Christopher Vogler's, The Writer's Journey, based on Joseph Campbell's hero's journey ideas. I had thought that the three-act story structure could be used with some of the youth-at-risk I taught, having them right/write their lives. For kids who had fallen through many cracks, taken many wrong turns and stumbled into places such as the one I taught in (residential treatment/juvenile hall), I believe writing could have been used as an opportunity to pause, reflect and then be more intentional about their choices. Each act has several stages with its own qualities, challenges and revelations. And now, with the overlay of myth coming out of this class, the curriculum could get even more fun!
Thank you, Claire. I certainly will take a look. It sounds like you are doing great work with these young people.
Jane