Customer Reviews

The Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor as Myth and as Religion

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"Mythology may, in a real sense, be defined as other people's religion," Joseph Campbell observes in his recently released book, THOU ART THAT (2001); "and religion may, in a sense, be understood as a popular misunderstanding of mythology" (p. 8). In this reissued collection of lectures delivered between 1981 to 1984 (originally published in 1986), Campbell travels through inner and outer space to explore that premise in greater depth. This 148-page book was the last book Campbell completed before his death in 1987, and as such, THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE may be read as the final frontier Campbell was exploring with his pioneering mind before his death.

While our country was probing outer space, Campbell was travelling through the "wonderland of myth," and exploring the far-reaching relationship between mythology and comparative religion. He made some startling discoveries along the way. He writes, it "occurred to me that outer space is within inasmuch as the laws of outer space are within us; outer and inner space are the same" (p. 2). For Campbell, "the seat of the soul is there where the outer and inner worlds meet" (p. 5). "From the outer world," he writes, "the senses carry images to the mind, which do not become myth, however, until there transformed by fusion with accordant insights, awakened as imagination from the inner world of the body" (p. 5).

In this book, Campbell draws from Space-Age discoveries to demonstrate how mythology allows us to realize and participate in the "transcendence, infinity, and abundance" (p. xx) of religion. Although it shuttles through some familiar Campbell territory, THOU ART THAT, THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, and THE POWER OF MYTH may offer a better introduction to his work. But for those readers interested in experiencing the relationship between mythology and religion in all its depth, this book should be considered one giant intellectual leap for mankind.

G. Merritt

In THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE Joseph Campbell repeats some of the familiar observations of his earlier works in which he shows how certain mythic motifs can be found buried in all of the world's religious traditions. The similarities may not be easily recognized because the same motifs are usually understood and developed in different ways because of cultural differences. These repetitive motifs are called elementary ideas and in the local forms where they appear in various religions they are known as ethnic or folk ideas. As examples of elementary ideas Campbell offers the concepts of the Promised Land and the Virgin Birth. In writing about the similarities of symbols found in ancient civilizations, Campbell mentions discoveries among such diverse societies as those that existed in the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Ireland.

Because of the great advances in learning which have become accelerated and dramatized by space exploration, Campbell points out that our old gods are either already dead or dying. The big question now is what new mythology will emerge from a modern understanding of a unified planet amidst a vast universe.

The creation of any new mythology will certainly depend in part on the contributions of art because artists will be the ones who will produce the images of the future. Those images will come from our knowledge of a constantly changing and expanding universe. Campbell writes about the connection between art and mythology with conviction, no doubt due to the long-standing influence of his wife, Jean Erdman, a well-known dancer and choreographer.

The most remarkable feature evident in THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE is the breadth and depth of the author's knowledge and understanding of mythology. Joseph Campbell led an enviable life driven by a singular passion and his writings are the best reflection of that life.

This book was--the back cover says--Campbell's last. I can imagine Campbell working on the manuscript between conversations with Bill Moyers: it feels like this book works out some of the open questions raised in The Power of Myth.

What a brilliant book! By turns thought-provoking and breathtaking, I found myself rethinking many long-held ideas. And this for someone who has read and seen many Campbell works in the past.

The last chapter, The Way of Art, really flattened me. Campbell writes thoughout his work of the mythic role of the artist, but here is the clearest statement of the artist's power and responsibility.

THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE is one of the books being published by The Joseph Campbell Foundation as part of THE COLLECTED WORKS OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL. I agree with another reviewer that it makes sense to first read THOU ART THAT which is an earlier volume in this series.

Any book by Campbell will usually be loaded with insights. In THE INNER REACHES OF OUTER SPACE one of my favorite chapters deals partially with a discussion of the Infinite and in this segment the author's extensive knowledge of Eastern religions and mythology is most apparent.

After reading this book it is even easier than before to appreciate why Joseph Campbell has managed to acquire such a devoted following.

Joseph Campbell introduces us to the world of mythology and reality making the case that for most of human history, they are one in the same.

I give this book 5 stars because it is the best presentation of this type of information for laymen I have found.

His writings have brought up the argument that what is lacking in America today is an education in mythology. This is something that would not only enhance an individuals life by adding value to our culture which is in my opinion too often dismissed as empty, but also would enhance our connection with our past and our future.

Joseph Campbell has influenced many people and many creative efforts. George Lucas credits Mr Campbell with making StarWars a better movie. In fact Mr Campbell's interviews with Bill Moyers (on many PBS stations) was taped at Skywalker Ranch. I found this link indranet.com/welcometoearth having searched for information about Mr Campbell.

In addition to those seeking anthropological or spiritual information, if you enjoy magical stories like Harry Potter or science fiction stories then you will enjoy The Inner Reaches of Outer Space.

If you've never purchased a book by Joseph Campbell, please do yourself a favor and get this one. Yes, it's that important for you to read and understand. After this, read "Transformations of Myth and Time."

I know, I know, everyone will point to Campbell's astonishing Hero with a Thousand Faces, and his 4-part book series on different traditions, but I love this book. I think it's because it is Campbell in his later years, synthesizing all he has learned over decades of study, and applying it to the future. It also is one of the more accessible Campbell books in terms of folks who don't usually read high-end academic works being able to follow it without re-reading every other paragraph. (That is NOT a criticism -- Joseph Campbell packed a lot into each of his brilliant thoughts). Another book I'd recommend is the biography on him, "Fire in the Mind."

Especially interesting is the explication of James Joyce's definitions of "proper" and "improper" art.

"Improper art is of two orders: art that excites desire for the represented object, and art that arouses loathing or fear of it. Art that excites desire, Joyce calls pornographic. All advertising art is in this sense pornographic...."

"All improper art, whether pornographic or didactic, thus moves one to action... whereas proper art is static. We speak of esthetic arrest. One is not moved to physical action of any kind, but held in sensational (esthetic) contemplation and enjoyment."

"It is this elevation of mind and, with the mind, the eye, above desire and loathing, desire and fear, that brings the way of art and the artist inot relation to that of the mystic." (pp. 123-4)

Campbell draws comparisons between the interweaving dark and light lateral nerves along the spine of the yogic cakras to the caduceus, the crucifixion of Christ, Sumero-Akkadian serpent-god,Ningishzida and twined serpent images in Aztec and Navaho culture as well as others. The common theme is of duality twining around a central spine, support or path. One of those twines or sides is inner and the other outer. We are what they twine around.
The depth of his insight is like viewing a familiar landscape from place both higher and yet closer. Some sentences are very long and need to be deciphered more than read. That is most likely the result of trying to elucidate the ineffable.

Joseph Campbell has been my mentor for years. He brings our consciousness to another level with this one!!!