Why Myth?
The character traits of "The Hero"
The use of myth has always functioned as a sociological and pedagogical tool with the goal of teaching people how to live in this world together while simultaneously providing examples of how to realize the personal gifts each individual brings to the world. Today this method closely resembles what is known as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
Alchemy, Inc. provides a healthy masculine model and strategies that set youth on the right course to stay in school and become successful, responsible family men and professionals rather than being sidetracked by the false appeal of apathy, anger, drugs, violence and victim-hood. Our program is embraced by young men because of its authenticity and realness. Young males who are alienated, disengaged, and cynical towards life are drawn to our program because we offer a way to answer their "call to manhood."
We are a program that does not question or criticize their masculinity but repositions its positive aspects to show the way from boyhood to manhood. Our values are steeped in the character traits of "The Hero." The model of The Hero inspires youth to persevere, learn to make the necessary sacrifices, overcome obstacles, and serve their community. We are more about cultivating wisdom than teaching knowledge.
German Philosopher Max Müller on Myth:
Parts of mythology are religious, parts of mythology are poetical, but mythology as a whole is neither religion nor history, nor philosophy, nor poetry. It comprehends all these together under that peculiar form of expression which is natural and intelligible at a certain stage, or at certain recurring stages in the development of thought and speech, but which, after becoming traditional, becomes frequently unnatural and unintelligible.
Alchemy Youth Answer: Why Myth?
A Different Way of Life
“Adolescent males should use myth and stories because it shows us a different way of life than what we see
today.”
-Sergio
Myth is Like a Parent
“I feel myth is great for urban youth. It relates to the days we are going through now. Myth is like the parent that’s with you every second.”
-Tyrell
It Gets Into Our Minds
“Because it’s not real but then again it is real. So instead of directly telling us how to get better you do it indirectly which gets into our minds.”
- Isaiah
The Dogon of Africa in the Pale Fox
"The myth, is for the Blacks, only a means by which to explain something; it is a consciously composed lore of master ideas which may not be placed within reach of just anyone at anytime. Certainly it constitutes a form of "slight knowledge' ...sometimes available to the average man. It conceals clear statements and coherent systems reserved for initiates, who alone have access to the "deep knowledge." The myths present themselves in layers, like the shells of a seed, and one of their reasons for being is precisely to cover and conceal from the profane a precious seed which appears to belong rightly to a universal, valid body of knowledge."
James Hollis, Tracking the Gods: The Place of Myth in Modern Life
The range and richness of mythic motifs is virtually endless; it moves across centuries and across cultures and, if one reads carefully, may even be seen between the lines of today's newspaper... Collectively, they tell the whole human story and the cosmic drama. Each one expresses a fragment of the whole, part of a chapter. Each of us lives one verse or another, moving to rhythms deeper than consciousness can plumb. Let us be grateful for these images even as we are grateful for our dreams; they tell us in visible form of the invisible at work in history and in us."
myth, n. [LL. mythos: GR. mythos, word, speech, story, legend.]
a traditional story of unknown authorship, ostensibly with a historical basis, but serving usually to explain some phenomenon of nature, the origin of man, or the customs, institutions, religious rites, etc. of a people: myths usually involve the exploits of gods and heroes.
such stories collectively: mythology
any fictitious story, any imaginary person or thing spoken of as through existing.such stories collectively: mythology
any fictitious story
any imaginary person or thing spoken of as through existing.
mythology, n.; pl. mthologies. [LL. mythologia; Gr. mythologia, a telling of tales or legends, legendary lore; mythos, myth, and -logia, from legein, to speak.]
the science or study of myths or legends; that branch of science which investigates the meaning of myths, and the relationship between the myths of different countries or peoples.
a book of or about myths.
myths collectively; especially, all the myths about a specific being, or those myths, fables, or traditions interwoven with the history, origin, deities, etc. of a specific people.