There is no difference between Myths and Dreams
The appropriate interpretation of myths and dreams is not less significant than a doctor’s prescription or a word of wisdom from a philosopher.
Technically, obviously, two of the phenomena are different.
However we are comparing the two things from a symbolic perspective, the one which helps us draw out something meaningful.
Starting with myths.
If we let go of the authenticity debate of myths and only care to derive meaningful insights from them, it becomes clear that myths are unconsciously woven stories.
It is something like —
When we were developing myths, we observed ourselves, we observed others, and then came up with story that represented what appeared like the truth.
If we are already looking at myths from a symbolic point of view, it is necessary to not take them literally.
Another reason why we shouldn’t take them literally is because they were never meant to be.
Most of the myths that we find today were stories and were preserved as stories only.
Coming back to the point — Myths are meta-stories.
They take into consideration innumerable stories and boil it down to one single thing from which hundreds and thousands of interpretations could be made.
One of the most significant myths in the study of psychoanalysis is the hero myth.
The outline of this myth is — The hero slays a dragon and rescues the captive from its captivity.
Yes, this piece of myth is pretty easy to interpret.
It's simple right, be a hero, then detect the monster or the root of the problem, solve it down by slaying it, and then rescue a better reality that lies beyond it.
It is still not absolutely obvious.
Just for a moment think of it as just another movie plot with no intention of learning anything from it.
Well, that’s how incompetent movies and entertainment today are — Myths without a meaning.
The point is —
Myths are extremely weird; they don’t make any obvious sense.
Sometimes they sound gruesome like the ones that include insest. Freud’s Oedipus complex is a perfect example to back this up.
Concluding the nature of the myths, it is safe to say that they are messy.
Cling on to the word “messy.”
Now let’s introduce the second part of the discussion — Dreams.
Every individual who has ever dreamt would agree that dreams are messy, this is inarguable and a self-evident fact.
This makes myths and dreams, already technically similar in nature.
We are not even into comparing the two from a symbolic perspective.
Therefore argument number one, myths and dreams, both, are messy.
Secondly, we should understand that dreams play inside the unconscious realm of the psyche.
However, they take into account the conscious life of the dream.
And if you think about it, the absolute conscious dreams on the other hand are goals.
Myths too have a conscious element in their making.
Even if they are unconscious representations of reality, they are represented and interpreted using conscious effort.
So the second argument is that myths and dreams alike are formed within the unconscious sphere.
And they need conscious and subjective interpretation.
Subjective interpretation of dreams and myths is not a choice, it’s a necessity.
A myth holds no glory if it does not appeal to individuals’ subjectivity.
The third point is that dreams and myth have something important to tell.
Their appropriate interpretation is not less significant than a doctor’s prescription or a word of wisdom from a philosopher.
It is relatively believable if someone says, “myths inspire individuals,” but it is not a popular opinion to say that dreams do too.
If not inspire, dreams at least offer a solution to a subjective neurosis.
If not solution, they introduce you to the problem (which is like halfway through the solution).
Myths and dreams alike lay out a drama that allows individuals to peek into their own shortcomings and also suggests remedies to overcome them.
This is why each of us have a subjective artistic taste.
This makes sense right?
Else, why does everyone has a different music taste?
Now just ask “why?” and it would be too complicated or ill-structured discussion.
The answer seems something like this —
The artistic piece that individual enjoys is the closest to what the unique combination of their conscious and unconscious complexes seek.
It would be too dull to say that we have our favorite art.
Art has so much more to it.
It helps us reach our problems and that’s not the only thing.
Art helps us excel.
Art brings peace.
Art triggers ambition.
We choose our myths but we can’t choose our dreams.
You can’t create your dreams but they are exclusively created for you.
In other words, dreams are handpicked myths for individuals.
Conclusively, the third and final argument would be myths and dreams direct us towards virtues.
