Title: Create, Create, Create...

Gender: Male

Age: 38

Sun Sign: Taurus

Chinese Sign: Metal Dog

Location: Denver, CO

Myth must be kept alive.
The people who can keep it alive
are artists of one kind or another.
The function of the artist
is the mythologization of the environment
and the world.
—JOSEPH CAMPBELL
read in context

When I discovered Joseph Campbell's work in the early '90s, I was deeply attracted to his emphasis on art. Since then I've explored the creative impulse with particular focus on the role of the artist within the context of a newly emerging mythos—i.e., the overarching worldview or “story” a culture accepts about itself and its place in the universe.

Joseph Campbell insisted throughout his work that a living, effective, mythological system functions by putting the subject culture in accord with the natural order. When an individual or a group is living in accord with nature, then nature yields its bounty.

Looking at our planet today, the mythos by which we live, on a collective, global level, does not appear to be placing us in accord with nature, let alone with each other. “Dysfunctional” or “ineffective” are arguabley much more accurate descriptions of our current state of environmental harmony. This position obviously requires qualification, so please consider it merely an initiator of dialogue.

As a “Creative,” I strive to embody the role as one of many vehicles through which pours the current mythos for the global community: to study the mythological foundations of my being, achieving a personally relevant understanding of the myths of the past; to deeply regard my dreams, visions and interior messages, and take personal guidance from them; and to share my insights with others through the medium most appropriate to my specific competencies and experience (i.e., music, writing, social/cultural development projects, and more).

A Little More About Me:

I am the developer of MYTHOS for Creatives™, a program focused on waking artists/creatives up to their vital roles as prime functionaries of an emerging global mythos—i.e. the overarching worldview, or “story” a culture accepts about itself and its place in the universe. This program is the result of fifteen years of practical reflection on how to align oneself intentionally with the very creative principle that has given rise to life.

From 1999 to 2006, I was a key member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation leadership team where I developed on-line and off-line community, including co-producing the Joseph Campbell Centenary conference at Esalen Institute in 2004, and planned future Internet initiatives, including the Campbell Digital Archives and Works projects.

In 2003, I co-founded Threshold Passages, a rites of passages and mentoring program in Colorado that practically applies the theories of Joseph Campbell, Robert Bly and many others regarding the need for effective rites of passage for the young men in our society.

In 2007, I served on the national host committee for the U.S. Tour of the Medium of Tibet's Chief State Oracle, Ven. Thupten Ngodup.

Currently, I produce for Gaiam, Inc., engaged in refining the company’s Spiritual Cinema Circle and Earth Cinema Circle web presences to perpetuate the appeal of their film offerings–as well as producing the Conscious Media Institute in partnership with Naropa University–and consequential contributions to the Gaia.com(unity) project.

A dedicated meditation practitioner, I utilize methods that emphasize and strengthen service to Gaia and Spirit during this unprecedented era of global awakening.

I live in Colorado with my wife, Blue Haley Otto.

Member Since: Thursday, April 20 2006

Last Visit: 27 days ago.

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