Erin King- Landscapes of the Sacred

One of the most prevalent concepts from the book deals with Myths, and the role they play in our everyday lives. Myths are narratives that give an ultimate perspective, a picture of the cosmos. I think this concept was one of the most interesting, and hardest to wrap your head around. There is a distinction from truth, which is about something and reality, which is "that thing" about which truth is. Using those definitions, the statement,what flows into you from myth is not truth but reality, becomes much more interesting. Myth is not considered to be an abstract idea like truth, but an actual being itself. Myth is a necessary and positive art. In religious sense Myth creates the world and cosmos(ordered reality.)In this way the power of myth can be observed. Myths are not just apart of life, like a truth, but are the sources of existence. What is real in life flows into us from the myths. I think the section of the book was difficult to understand at first. Myths in today's societies are not as prevalent as they once were. However, most sacred places have a myth that connects them to society in someway and Myths that are understood are no longer myths. The use objectivity that comes with the analysis through history or psychology does not have real power on us. Myths are needed for the spiritual journey, and are an essential part of human life.