The Hero's Journey and the Spiritual Path w/ Dada Maheshvarananda

The spiritual path is in one sense very rational and scientific. We encourage   
everyone to meditate and improve their health with a natural lifestyle, and there is   
an ever growing mountain of scientific papers and mainstream media programs   
supporting the value of these techniques in reducing stress. At the same time,   
often hidden from the public view, there is tremendous fierceness, magic, and   
mystery on the spiritual path. I would like to point out the power of these mysteries   
by comparing them to the work of American historian Joseph Campbell.

Campbell (1904–1987) studied myths, religions, and narratives from around the   
world. His famous advice, “follow your bliss,” came from the phrase satcitananda   
in the ancient Upanishads, meaning “being, consciousness, bliss.” Campbell said   
he wasn't sure about being and consciousness, but he could understand bliss! He   
taught many years at Sarah Lawrence College, at that time an all-women's   
institution. He always told his graduating students, “Whatever you do, don't do   
what Daddy says, because he is only interested in your security. If you bargain   
away your life for security now, you will never find your bliss.”

* Dada Maheshvarananda is a monk, activist and writer. His latest book is After Capitalism: Economic Democracy in Action.   He is the director of the Prout Research Institute of Venezuela. http://www.amazon.com/After-Capitalism-Economic-Democracy-Action/dp/1881717143