I read once that mythology begins where madness starts. I believe we are either mythically or security driven. “A person who is truly gripped by a calling, by a dedication, by a belief: by a zeal, will sacrifice his security, will sacrifice even his life, will sacrifice personal development; he will give himself entirely to his myth,” wrote Joseph Campbell. Christ suggested this to his followers when he said “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

I have long been gripped by this zeal, by a calling, and I understood that I was sacrificing my security, I have turned myself over to my myth. I mean to live a meaningful life, to grow spiritually, to stand in my truth even though that upsets, even enrages others sometimes. In our world, a mythically driven life is disturbing, threatening, and on this path, there is anger everywhere. There is also love and understanding. I sometimes think it would be wonderful to retreat into my farm, my life with Maria, my life with animals, my writing and my photography. But that is not a meaningful life, it is another way to hide from myself.

I don’t wish to run from life, but to embrace it and accept it and learn how to live with it. Life is my secret partner, it follows me everywhere, it is rich and wondrous and awful and joyous. I am struck with the awakening of awe, of fascination, of the search for and experience of wonder, of mystery – the awareness of my bliss, of being seized by something so that I am pulled out of myself and out into the world. Along the way I will come to know who I am and why I am here. For me, mythology did begin with madness, and may end there as well. Crisis and mystery and love are just around the corner.