December 1, 2011

On Immortals - A Review by Benton Rooks (Cinema Discourse)


Immortals, Mythology and Metaphysics

A Review by Benton Rooks
Cinema Discourse

“…Myth remains the proper language of metaphysics.” –Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

There are three essential layers and functions for any mythology: social, psychological and metaphysical /spiritual. The dualistic social function varies significantly from culture to culture—myths have often been used by the media, Church and the State as tactics of control to subdue the “masses”—but they are also educational tools for illustrating how mere mortals can achieve spiritual perfection or immortality through divine acts. A myth, then, cannot always be said to be false, at least not metaphysically, and therefore it may in fact be more true than some of the mythical narratives our consciousness weaves for us in the day-to-day routines we often find ourselves hopelessly trapped in.

Continued. . .