Homers Odyssey: A key to the inner journey

Homers Odyssey: A key to the inner journey

June 24th, 2004.

New Acropolis LondonOpening: why are we talking about the Odyssey almost 2800 years after its been written? Odysseus story is basically the human story, its our story. Understanding Odysseus journey is about understanding our own journey, who we are and where we stand. That is why the Odyssey is as relevant now as it was in the past.

1.The language of symbols

Language of the unconscious different from rational language (acknowledging us as a whole, both rational-thoughts and symbolic-dreams)

Example of the dragon symbols are to be lived several layers of meaning

(dragon as a child: magic, scary; later: heavenly crature, then: duality, engaging with symbols, ultimately seeing the dragon as an image of the universe and of cosmical processes, e.g. St. George and the dragon, chinese dragon)

Hidden messages: myths talk to everyone, but in different levels, profound wisdom is hidden They are not simple stories for entertainment

Sacred knowledge has always been coded

Reason for myths being timeless: they talk about human nature and our evolution path in a symbolic way, they speak of the future, of what is to come

Approach taken: not sociological or historical, but rather symbolical, whats deep within us and make us human, whats common in all cultures and human beings, because myths repeat themselves in particular cultural contexts. Some social norms and morals will also be highlighted which are more on the surface of Homer.(the Odyssey as a great allegory: differences in classical X current analysis)

2. Context of the Odyssey

Historical context

- Bronze Age: period when Mycenae was rich in gold: 1400-1200, rich culture and prosperity. At that time they had various links with the East.

- Date of Troy: 1184 BC End of the Mycenaean period.

- Age of invasions (1184-850 BC) : dorians, loss of writing system, fragmentation, little trade with the East.

- Greek Renaissance the Hellenic period Classic Greece :

Homer writes after the Dark Ages when the alphabet was borrowed and adapted from the phoenicians, his role can be compared with the one of Confucius in a way, a recorder of ancient traditions. Homer was taught all over Greece in the city-states.

Greatness of Athens and Sparta

Homer is less extraordinary in terms of magical elements than his counterparts in the East.

References of Bronze Age elements (armoury) and Iron Age in Homer (mixed elements)

Heroic Era

Helped bring a certain ideological unity among fragmented city-states

Why it is so important:

Beginning of literature in the west, great influence in the western civilization, archetypal journey, part of the Epic Cycles other accounts of heroes coming back from Troy, important part of greek culture talk about heroes, gods images of the characters are always depicted in greek art

Canon of values, moral, religion (contrasts with christianity: humility vs. gloria)

Inspired Virgil (Aeneid), Dante, Milton, Tennyson, Kazantzakis (The Odyssey), James Joyce (Ulysses)

A record of oral literature, verse structure.

Alexandria School: compilation of the greek Epics by greek scholars in 3rd BC. Earliest complete manuscript of the Odyssey: 10th or 11th AD

Date: disputed, between 850 and 750 BC, this date is established because there seems to be very few post 8th century practices or artefacts referred to in the poems.

Homer probably only wrote a story, a myth that was already being told for generations

3. The story itself

The story would take between 20 and 25 hours to be told, this version will be only 10 minutes

Tradition of the bards: greeks, celts, important function of story telling in non-literate societies

The old ways: knowledge was passed from mouth to ear, no notes

Tell me, Muse, the story of that resourceful man who was driven to wander far and wide after he had sacked the holy citadel of Troy.[...] Tell us this story, goddess daughter of Zeus, beginning at whatever point you will.

Odysseus leaves Ithaca

Challenges on the way:

Cyclopes

Circe

Teiresias

Phaecians

Calypso help of Athena

Suitors

Telemachus and Penelope influence of Athena

Union of the family again

Athena makes peace

4. Interpretation - Frameworks

Background (general framework):

- Recurrent sequence of events in myths and fairy tales (Mahabharata etc.)

- Struggles are different, but follow the same general pattern, even though they happen in distinct levels, e.g. the urge to change, the conflicts, harmony etc., always moving up

1. Leaving home The call to adventure, breaking the inertia

Look for symbols in our life that are calling us, change to the new (the frog, the forest, the fairies, call of the mysteries) Voices whispering: come, comethere is a whole world out there to be unveiled, what catches us but we dont quite know what it isIt happens when we least expect it.. Like the frog giving the golden ball to the princess.

2. The war in Troy 1st trials

3. Going back home Main trials (meeting with the opposite etc., agony x bliss duality in the path)

4. Magical help Athena (nature helping him, following the nature of life)

4. Returning home - Meeting Penelope and Odysseus becoming whole: Return to Camelot

Virtues he gains, vices he leaves behind

Insights for our own journey

Philosophical Framework

1. The triad Central theme:

Platonic

Chinese Version

Christian Version, Egyptian Version, Babylonian Version

Concept of Unity: the mistery of the three in one

What makes us human, the unveiling of our potentials Becoming Human

Athena: unifying element, helps us become whole and come from a place above us. She helps us becomes indivuals (one). She is in the centre, she is who we really are when we become whole. She is our future. (Research continuation of the Odyssey). Pallas Athena: Maiden Athena symbol of purification.

Difference in relation to Hercules who marries Hebe and goes to Heaven.

The arrows pointing from the centre outwards show them in the beginning of their journey and the arrows pointing to the centre show them in the end of their journey, when they are together, as one, unified by an ideal.

Common final challenge: the triad they succeed because they help each other Penelope sets the contest, Telemachus and Odysseus kill the suitors.

There is suffering when they are separate, but not when they are united.

Different roles for each one of them in the killing of the suitors:

- Odysseus: Leading role, kill the suitors himself

- Telemachus: helps Odysseus kill the suitors

- Penelope: sets us the stage for the competition

Acknowledging different roles without prejudice: Penelope has a fundamental role but is not the initiator. She is the source of Odysseus inspiration, being very intelligent shes on the backstage making things happen.

Analogy with Platos republic about each one of us fulfilling a different role (which is not necessarily related to gender, its better take it as a Yang and Yin role which we take up in our lives in different moments) Time to sow, time to reap, time to rest, time to celebrate Different forces in us are activated in different moments in our lives Law of the cycles, the four seasons.

So, its fundamental to become aware of who we are so that we can make better use of these forces we have within us.

Odysseus is a prime example of the human experience. He is always moving in the kingdom of Poseidon, the Middle Earth.

They are always looking for each other, alone they are incomplete.

We often talk about our dual nature, but we also have a triple nature. Duality is the basic form, but from it, the three emerges.

Odysseus: Chien sets the wheel in motion he leads

Kun: Penelope

Telemachus: our actions become intelligent

Symbolism of Pallas Athena (grey-eyed)

goddess of war and wisdom

she is always worried about Odysseus: our higher self

too dim of a voice to be clear about: a call far deep into us, a low voice (the inhabitant of the 5th floor)

daugher of Zeus

integrates the three elements, talks to the three of them.

association with Morrigan

she gives hope to Telemachus that Odysseus is alive (our higher self giving us guidance and hope)

The three of them prove their value and manifest themselves as they should.

Not only Penelope is faithful. They are all faithful to each other.Symbolism of number three:

Synthesis

Wholeness

Aristotle: contains a beginning, a middle and an end

Can be divided into duality and unity: 2 +1 = 3

Phytagorean: completion

Multiplicity: The one gave rise to the two, the two gave rise to the three, three gave rise to all numbers

2. The archetype of the hero

The future, our potential, what we shall become

The super man (Nietze)

The wise

The extraordinary

Geniality that is within of us waiting to be unfolded

5. Analysis of the story Main events

Leaving home

Odysseus accepts the challenge of fighting in Troy, leaving behind his wife and new born son (parallel with Budha). It depicts the call for adventure, the breaking of inertia, the will to live higher adventures, venture in new knowledge, discovers one self and the meaning of life. Our inner voice saying: there is something out there that urges to be discovered.

Cyclopes

The first big challenge. The cyclope who is heavy, big and has only one eye can be a representation of matter. Odysseus blinds the beast with his intelligence, a depiction of mind over matter. After he overcomes his challenge, he calls the next ones, hes worth more trials in order to prove he is a true hero and grow to the greatness he has the ability to achieve. Poseidons rage represents the forces of life which actually offer us challenges as gifts as we evolve Challenges as opportunities. Analogy with Morrigan, the celtic goddess who gives Cuchulain challenges.

Mastering of the physical body (sevenfold constitution of the man). He leaves behind his attachment to matter represented by the men taken by the Cyclopes, but he still carries pride with him.

By blinding Polyphemus, the most powerful of the Cyclopes, Odysseus is bidding farewell to the past, to the beast in himself, to the one eyed almost blind creature. Poseidon brings then, the natural next challenge, the human realm, his current experience. We need to kill Polyphemus as well. But, we may be aware that by killing Polyphemus, well stir Poseidons rage against us, but his rage represents the natural challenges well face as we evolve in our human condition. Polyphemus is son of Poseidon and a sea nymph (the human realm, our challenging of truly becoming humans and distancing ourselves from our animal nature). Odysseus calls the tests, so they come But despite all the challenges, the gods help him

Vices: ambition, desire

Circe

The instinctive forces in him become very evident, his fellow crew members are turned into animals. It shows loss of consciousness. However, his higher self (Hermes) comes to aid him, depicting duality within himself, on one hand his instictive nature pushes him down, on the other hand, his god-like nature frees him and teaches him how to deal with Circe, the trigger of his animal side. The divine in Odysseus resists the drugs given by Circe, showing once more the hero nature in himself. He initially falls, but is later rescued by his god-like nature. When dominating his animal nature, he is ready to go to the underworld and have visions about the mysteries of life.

Teiresias

His higher mind triggers this experience. Teiresias is both male and female, a blind seer who has internal vision. For the first time, Odysseus ventures into the underworld, the kingdom of Hades.

Model of three worlds (Zeus, Poseidon and Hades). Most of the time he is in the intermediary kingdom which shows our nature, crucified between heaven and earth.

Being in the underworld is being deep into himself, beyond whats on the surface and he would ordinarily experience. It depicts a symbolic death of old Odysseus to the new one. What threatened him (Circe) now helps him to reach the underworld. Its an image of our personality now being a servant of the soul and allowing us to have far reaching visions. Our personality becomes our ally, not an obstacle Discipline replaces lazyness, love replaces jealously, altruism replaces selfshiness.

Deep inside we know our destiny, our dream and Teiresias is a depiction of that. Overcoming challenges allows Odysseus to see far ahead his own destiny.

In the underworld he sees many men and women, heroes and is told about their lives and destinies, similar to Krishna revealing himself to Arjuna. He has a transcendental vision of the mysteries, the unfoldment of life on earth and of his own life. When meeting heroes from Troy he understands better his own experience an enlightenment moment. When he sees much he becomes scared, he is probably not ready to see beyondZeus: sky, the divine

Poseidon: middle kindgom sea, psyche, men, human condition

Odysseus journey is in the sea He goes to the underworld, but never to the sky

Hades: underworld, earthHelpers: sea deities

Being left alone - Strong wind sent by Zeus

After being left alone, a further strong wind is sent by Zeus, one of his last challenges in the sea, when he is alone with himself, he has to persevere in surviving. Being alone is very symbolic. We are ultimately alone in our journey. Being alone also has to do with having only one voice speaking within us, our centre is built Odysseus is walking towards being one and not multiple The voices of his men and their actions represent all the voices speaking within himself. Alone, its only one voice. Its when the spirit starts to speak, the Voice of the Silence

CalypsoHe finally arrives in the beautiful Calypsos palace. He is well treated, bathed and loved by Calypso, but he longs to go back home. Even in confortable conditions Odysseus doesnt belong there. His true partner is Penelope. Calypso means concealer, what seems to be a paradise is actually holding him back. He is engaged in the world, he knows his destiny is to go back to Ithaca and not stay with Calypso, even though she is a goddess, more beautiful than Penelope and able to give him immortality. It may be that moment when we reach a certain state of inner balance and comfort, but we know that the battle continues and that we have to keep fighting in order to arrive at our final destiny. Odysseus was kept in a cave, looking deep into himself, but trapped, for Calypso was not his true wife, not his final destination. She persuades him to forget Ithaca. Odysseus spends 7 years with Calypso, the longest of his trials.

Calypso: daugher of Atlas who holds up the heaven, separating heaven and earth - force of duality. Her mother is from the sea Nymphai.

Further distress in the sea

Odysseus faces difficulties in the sea once more, looses his boat and one of the sea goddesses helps him. She gives him guidance to arrive at the Phaecians island and asks him to throw his clothes at the sea. He arrives in the Phaecians island completely naked a symbol of major purification and clear objective. He is alone (only one voice) and naked (clean, purified, himself).

Nausiaca and the Phaecians

Athena appears to Nausiaca in her dreams: intuition, power of dreams

The Phaecians island are blessed and a place like heaven for Odysseus, a place for him to rest before going to Ithaca. They recognize the greatness in him. There he puts experiences together, processes what happened throughout his journey and gets ready for the challenge of the suitors. Time to rest and gather new energies for the next challenge part of cycle, outside work, inner work, great activity, rest. He receives many gifts and is very well treated, but this paradise is different from being with Calypso, because they dont conceal him, but rather help him move forward.

Penelopes strategy of the shroud

She refuses to marry those who are below Odysseus, because he is her true partner, her faithfulness reveal the need for our fidelity towards our higher principles. In a more social context, it also shows faithfulness in relationships The story of the Little Prince, taming and being tamed and what makes each one of us unique. Ancient stories: words are unbroken, love is forever, aspect of fidelity, deep bounding and relationships. That also shows her intelligence, she is insightful. Love of the mother and of the lover/wife.

The suitors contest and their killing

Symbolism of the killing: it seems odd and violent But should we pity our vices envy, lazyness, jealously? We should be merciless towards them and kill them all. It is the same symbolism of the witch. She needs to die.

Principle of karma (action and reaction). Homer is always saying: The suitors brought their own fate

Killing the suitors is also killing the old in ouselves which can be painful.

The suitors (kuravas) cannot recognize light where it is. When the spirit leaves (Odysseus), Chaos appears (suitors).

Just the worthy pass the threshold There is no pretending

The last blow on his vices who were around Penelope and Telemachus as well. Odysseus: light coming in to dissipate darkness But he wouldnt have been able to do so without Penelope and Telemachus Hes the initiative, the one that starts, the creativebut he needs love and intelligence.

Odysseus: power of will to kill the suitor free will, our decision to kill the suitors. Our will is helped by love and intelligence our three high faculties.

There is no such thing as who is more important, because they are all one, part of the same unity.

companions, but they are also there (vices we choose to keep).Odysseus as himsef and Penelope

They are the true partners for each other, recurrent symbolism of the Divine Wedding.

Similarities between Odysseus and Penelope: they are both self-restrained and witful.

Penelope: skill in handicraft, excelent brain and genius for getting her way, beautiful , even though she often cries depicting her lower feminine side. But, that is a caracteristic of Homer: very human, he shows both sides of human nature even in heroes. Heroes are not semi-gods.

Odysseus and Athena

Athene is often a double figure, bringing both help and disturbance (parallel with Morrigan again). He helps with the fight, but then brings peace. Message of the final destiny of things being decided by the gods reverence towards the divine message to the greeks overall.

Special aspects to consider

Symbolism of the King

Odysseus: god-like, but not god yet (both sides always: wisdom, prudence, endurance, but also, vanity, pride). A man who rules himself. Symbolism of a king, a noble king who rules himself first following on Platonic philosophy. According to him, the best should rule in us and outside us. There is a right position for everything within us and outside as well. Whats superior should rule.

Zeus (higher order) says that Odysseus is the wisest man alive and has been the most generous in his offerings to the immortals. Paralel with ancient China: the king should have the mandate of the heaven. Odysseus in this sense, becomes a tool/an instrument of the gods. Athena is Dharma helping him, like Krishna when he says let them fight whats right and wrong is different for the gods. That is why she brings both challenges and help. Social Norms (messages at all levels)

Generosity with giving gifts like in Arabian nightswell.

Penelope: even with Odysseus disguised, she is kind, gentle and generous.

The unfaithful mistress doesnt recognize Odysseus and mistreats him.

Telemachus alone is weak, he needs Odysseus, relation between son and father (Confucian ethics)

Hospitality: present in the whole story

You reap what you sow

Power of the gods

Maturing of the caracters over time. Odysseus who blinded the Cyclopes and the one who killed the suitors is a complete different man. Before, he was full of pride, later he was humble and taking the suitors destiny as part of the gods deeds.

Zeus: men bring evil upon themselves (karma)

6. What helps us become whole

1. Wisdom (Philosophy):

Represented by Athena A conscious pursuit for whats higher, for whats good, just and beautiful (as the greeks would say). Athena as a higher call to put us together. That comes from having a clear purpose, direction in lifeThe unifying element is not from this world but belongs to a plane above us.

PHILO SOPHIA

LOVE WISDOM

2. Internal war: vices X virtuesGenerally we are all trying to become better, but the difference is in how committed we are with refining our caracter and helping humanity. Trading vices for virtues.

Final message:

Listen to Athena

She is whispering all the time in us. She is our call to adventure, our impulse for the unknown, our strength when fighting. The pursue of Wisdom and the urge of being whole is what makes us more human and closer to Odysseus each day.

1st Logos (Odysseus): Atma, Will, Justice

Chien: Yang, the creative, conceives, initiator, leader

Main virtues: persistence, (witful, resourceful)

Knowing the direction

The spirit, being after love and intelligence

Athena

3rd Logos (Telemachus): Manas

Intelligence, Form

Virtues: Thoughtful, courage on his quest for his father.

Intelligence being enlightened by the Spirit and nurtured by Love.

2nd Logos (Penelope): Budhi

Love, Wisdom

Energy-Life

Kun: Yin, the receptive, gives form to things, Main virtudes: loyalty, faithfulness

Love nurturing both the intelligence and the will