I really enjoyed this perspective on myths and meaning. It got me thinking about how I see things in my own life.
Personally, I don’t feel a strong need for a new myth because I already find meaning in dharma and karma. I see dharma as a kind of natural calling—something that gives life direction—and karma as a reminder that our actions have consequences, even beyond this lifetime.
For me, life itself offers plenty of shared experiences—family, aging, responsibility, and personal growth—that connect us all. I don’t necessarily feel the need for a grand narrative beyond that. But I can see how myths help people make sense of things, and I think everyone finds meaning in their own way.
This article definitely made me reflect on where I find meaning, so I appreciate that!
I think everyone finds meaning from a different source. It seems that our era is so individualized in many ways, and I love that we have the option to find many different sources from which we feel a personal connection of meaning and spirituality, as in your case, dharma and karma provide.
It may be that those natural callings are "myths born from within," as I like to call them. What has connected me to spirituality most closely is Carl Jung's Individuation, which I see as a 'personal myth.'
It's hard to pinpoint where these spiritual frameworks aim for us collectively. There seems some unifying substrate under all the frameworks aimed at the good, and that as long as everyone interfaces with it in whatever way works for them, we'll make it to the right place.
It seems that new sources (i.e., new myths) are taking hold and I hope that they align with existing ones that give people meaning and align us toward the good.
I will definitely explore it more given my curiosity—Thank you for reading and your input 🙂
I really enjoyed this perspective on myths and meaning. It got me thinking about how I see things in my own life.
Personally, I don’t feel a strong need for a new myth because I already find meaning in dharma and karma. I see dharma as a kind of natural calling—something that gives life direction—and karma as a reminder that our actions have consequences, even beyond this lifetime.
For me, life itself offers plenty of shared experiences—family, aging, responsibility, and personal growth—that connect us all. I don’t necessarily feel the need for a grand narrative beyond that. But I can see how myths help people make sense of things, and I think everyone finds meaning in their own way.
This article definitely made me reflect on where I find meaning, so I appreciate that!
Love this reflection, Mark!
I think everyone finds meaning from a different source. It seems that our era is so individualized in many ways, and I love that we have the option to find many different sources from which we feel a personal connection of meaning and spirituality, as in your case, dharma and karma provide.
It may be that those natural callings are "myths born from within," as I like to call them. What has connected me to spirituality most closely is Carl Jung's Individuation, which I see as a 'personal myth.'
It's hard to pinpoint where these spiritual frameworks aim for us collectively. There seems some unifying substrate under all the frameworks aimed at the good, and that as long as everyone interfaces with it in whatever way works for them, we'll make it to the right place.
It seems that new sources (i.e., new myths) are taking hold and I hope that they align with existing ones that give people meaning and align us toward the good.
I will definitely explore it more given my curiosity—Thank you for reading and your input 🙂