Joseph Campbell

EPL- INFORMATION FOR YOUR BUILDING SOUL

Joseph Campbell (1904–1987) was an American professor of literature, mythologist, and writer best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His most influential idea is the concept of the “monomyth”, or the Hero’s Journey, a universal narrative pattern he explored in his seminal book:

📘 The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949)

In this book, Campbell outlined a typical path that heroic characters follow across many myths, legends, and stories from different cultures. This journey involves:

1. Departure – The hero leaves the known world.
2. Initiation – The hero faces trials, receives aid, and transforms.
3. Return – The hero comes back changed, often bearing a gift or new knowledge.

He famously summarized this philosophy as:

“Follow your bliss.”

This idea encourages people to pursue what deeply inspires them, suggesting that doing so aligns them with the deeper structures of the universe (as represented in myth).

📚 Other Key Works:

• The Power of Myth (1988, with Bill Moyers) – A televised series and book-length interview that made his ideas popular with mainstream audiences.
• The Masks of God (4-volume series) – Explores mythology across different cultures and epochs.
• Myths to Live By (1972) – Essays on how ancient myths apply to modern life.

🔥 Influence:

Campbell’s work shaped:

• George Lucas’s Star Wars saga (Lucas credited Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as a key influence).
• Psychology (especially Jungian concepts).
• Spiritual and personal development movements.
• Comparative religion and literature studies.