Joseph Campbell, who died in 1987 at age 83, is perhaps best known for this simple but profound saying: “Follow your bliss.”

Campbell was a scholar, who studied the role of mythology in cultural and human development, especially in the areas of spiritual, psychological and religious development. (Side note: Campbell was a big fan of psychologist Carl Jung, who I’m a big fan of, too.)

I’ve only read snippets of his writings, but I want to read more. His ideas fascinate me, and many resonate with me.

If I understand Campbell correctly, the most important thing you can do for yourself and the world is “follow your bliss” … because that will lead to your own fulfillment and meet the needs of the world.

Yet, according to a blurb on the Joseph Campbell Foundation website, “it is important to note that following one’s bliss, as Campbell saw it, isn’t merely a matter of doing whatever you like, and certainly not doing simply as you are told. It is a matter of identifying that pursuit which you are truly passionate about and attempting to give yourself absolutely to it. In so doing, you will find your fullest potential and serve your community to the greatest possible extent.”

I appreciate what therapist Margaret Paul wrote in reference to Campbell’s saying: “Following your bliss - following what brings you joy - is the way toward your highest good. How wonderful that we have such a direct and profound way of knowing what is in our highest good!”

Now, if only following my bliss was as easy as it sounds! I find it difficult to trust my bliss.

To that, Campbell might say, “… don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Campbell’s life and ideas, check out the Joseph Campbell Foundation website and the Joseph Campbell Wikipedia entry.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm and is filed under Emotional & Spiritual Development, Personal Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.