On Bliss - (Joseph Campbell Essentials) by Joseph Campbell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first in a series of beautiful pocket gift books compiling world-renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell's short reflections on the mystical joy of following one's passions, perfect for carrying everywhere, bedside reading, or gifting as an invitation to a life fully lived.

Joseph Campbell's beloved quote "follow your bliss" has guided generations of students and readers to follow their inner calling in pursuit of a life fully lived. Rooted in Campbell's exploration of mythology, philosophy, and personal experience, and compiling passages from across his works, this volume reveals bliss not as fleeting pleasure, but as a profound, guiding energy that connects us to our true selves and the mysteries of the universe.

Drawing on wisdom from spiritual traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient myths, Campbell explores how bliss can serve as a compass for navigating life's challenges. He believes that following our bliss is not about avoiding difficulty but embracing the full spectrum of experience, asking us to seek the multifaceted rapture that emerges when we align with our deepest passions and purpose. Bliss offers both a refuge and a challenge to transcend the ordinary, on a hero's journey as well as in the quiet moments of everyday life. Bliss is the pulse of life itself, a divine signal within, guiding us toward creativity, spiritual awakening, and personal fulfillment.

Part of the Joseph Campbell Essentials series highlighting recurring motifs in Campbell's work, On Bliss offers short, accessible renditions of his timeless teachings. It is sized to be a perfect companion, easily tucked away or gifted as an invitation to step into a life of authenticity, fulfillment, and spiritual renewal -- where bliss is not a destination, but a way of being.

About the Author

Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was a renowned American author and scholar of comparative mythology. His groundbreaking work The Hero with a Thousand Faces (1949) introduced the concept of the "hero's journey," a universal pattern found in myths across cultures. Campbell's theories were influenced by his studies in Europe, the work of Picasso and James Joyce, and Freud's and Jung's theories about the human psyche, as well as his lifelong interest in Native American cultures and his translation with Swami Nikhilananda of the Upanishads and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. In 1988, the PBS series The Power of Myth brought his ideas to a global audience, solidifying his legacy in the study of mythology.