003 | Exploring Beliefs Through the Hero's Journey on Myths & Samara
How does storytelling contribute to a greater understanding of mental and spiritual states? We dive into the story of Vishnu's avatar, Nara Simha, as an illustration of karma, reincarnation, time and the universe. Episode 3 (<15 mins) is available on April 29th, 2025.
Myths & Samsara
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This episode isn’t about religion.
It’s about how stories are shaped by culture, how people interpret them, and how those interpretations keep evolving.
Video is available April 29th, 2025: https://youtu.be/5JW6hXSQ5QA
We started the visual presentation with a Lord's Prayer from co-host Lisa G.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with Your holy gifts.
Let my weakness be penetrated with Your strength this very day that I may fulfill all the duties of my state conscientiously, that I may do what is right and just.
Let my charity be such as to offend no one, and hurt no one’s feelings; so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.
Assist me, O Holy Spirit, in all my trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness, help me in all my needs, protect me in temptations and console me in afflictions.
Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour Your light into my heart, my soul, and my mind.
Assist me to live a holy life and to grow in goodness and grace.
Amen.
Prior to hitting the record button, Lisa and I were having a moment. For one, I could hear the eight fold-path. Charity translates to 'dana' in my world. We are all seeking a means to reach a higher plane, one not ruled by desire, fame, and fortune.
It's important to note that Lisa and I come from distinctly different backgrounds. We grew up in different cities, we are both strongly attuned to our respective religions, and we are influenced by education, cultural background, and our experiences. Yet, we come together as our fathers did more than 50 years ago when they immigrated to Canada.
The Overlap of Buddhism with Catholicism
A Snapshot of the Human Realm
The image above illustrates the Human Realm with its parallel Lower Heaven Realms (Blissful Realms) and overlapping Animal, Hungry Ghost, Asura, and Niraya Realms (Deprivation Realms).
From her Catholic background, Lisa was enthused to see the Formless Realms and the Form Realms.
Here is where the Holy Spirit lives.
Here is where Jesus, the son came from.
Here is where Heaven is and Hell.
Here lies Earth or the Human Realm caught in the middle.
Asuras are angels and fallen angels living in both the Blissful Realms and the Deprivation Realms depending on their desires and attachments.
The image illustrates the influence of good and evil in the Human Realm. People come in every shape and form. Some are no better than animals, some hold god-like status. Some can be as depraved as the devil. That we all aspire to escape the cycle of Samsara, and reach a higher heavenly level is illustrated.
See, Catholicism and Buddhism overlap.
Extraordinary, eh?
What Keeps you in Samsara Makes for Great Character Development
I summarize the ten fetters as: Ego, Lack of Faith, Dependence on Ritual, Sensual Gratification, Malice & Antipathy, Desire for Material Wealth, Desire for Immaterial Wealth, Obsession with how you are Seen, Ruled by Anxiety and Boredom, and Lack of Knowledge. (For the original translated list here's a wiki page.)
A tyrant, set on sensual gratification, full of malice and antipathy for his subjects, desiring material wealth and power who is obsessed with his image will ultimately be born in the deepest of dark hells. You can see where I'm going here.
On a less extreme level, we look at a hero who saves a populace of humans from enslavement and murders the tyrant. The population of humans go on to deify him with every subsequent generation embellishing on the story. A thousand years pass and the legend of Nara Simha, the lion-headed god, as protector is established. The being called Nara Simha also killed the tyrant. (In my book) he becomes more human and animal, devolving, for having committed murder. He is both evolved and devolved.
The people he encounters, either love him or hate him depending on their past exposure. He is met with adversaries who seek to discredit and destroy him. His reputation for having a hot temper and elemental strength proceed him.
So, are his actions his choice or do they become a result of the past karmas and the people he encounters?
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