Overview

Joseph Campbell: Mythos I – The Shaping of Our Mythic Tradition is an all-encompassing primer on the idea of myth and its emergence in ancient societies. In this fascinating lecture series, Campbell connects the core ideas necessary for understanding myth to the psychological insights of Carl Jung, exploring broad topics such as the formation of religion, gender roles, and societal evolution. Presented across five compelling segments, this volume lays the foundation for understanding myth's enduring role in our lives and introduces Western mythos through history, psychology, and biology, all through Campbell’s engaging and accessible style.

Details

PBS Ended TV-14 US EN Documentary

Episodes

• E01 Psyche & Symbol: The psychological impulse for and response to myth
• E02 The Spirit Land: How myths awakened American Indians to the mystery of life
• E03 On Being Human: The emergence of myth in early hunter-gatherer societies
• E04 From Goddesses to God: The gradual shift from the Goddess to male, warlike deities
• E05 The Mystical Life: Non-biblical mythic strains that helped shape the Western spirit

Overview

In Mythos II – The Shaping of the Eastern Tradition, Joseph Campbell explores the spiritual realms of the East, focusing on Hinduism and Buddhism. Through a series of engaging lectures, Campbell examines how myths evolve to reflect changing beliefs about nature, God, and life, delving into the core myths of the great Asian religions, the Buddha and enlightenment, the connections between East and West, Yoga and transcendence, and Kundalini yoga with the seven chakras. Presented in the final years of Campbell's life, this collection illuminates how Eastern traditions shape consciousness and spiritual understanding.

Details

PBS Ended TV-14 US EN Documentary

Episodes

• E01 The Inward Path: The core myths of the great Asian religions
• E02 The Enlightend One: The Buddha and enlightenment, East and West
• E03 Our Eternal Selves: Yoga and transcendence
• E04 The Way to Illumination: Kundalini yoga and the seven chakras
• E05 The Experience of God: Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual journey that is death

Overview

Mythos III: The Shaping of the Western Tradition presents Joseph Campbell's recorded talks from the final years of his life, in which he reflects on the great themes of Western myth, love, and the path of the heart. Hosted by Susan Sarandon, this features key lectures where Campbell shares insights on how myth shapes our understanding of life, explores the journey "beyond space and time," and delves into the interplay between pairs of opposites. Part of his legendary final speaking tour, Mythos III offers a culminating perspective on Campbell’s lifelong study of the Western imagination and spiritual tradition.

Details

PBS Ended TV-14 US EN Documentary

Episodes

• E01 Love as the Guide: The Arthurian romances, including Tristan and Iseult
• E02 The Path of the Heart: Parzival and the Grail Quest
• E03 Beyond Space and Time: The Romantic philosophers
• E04 Between Pairs of Opposites: Thomas Mann and The Magic Mountain
• E05 Into the Well of Myth: The Joseph novels and modern myth