Mythology as source of Metaphor

Hello everyone,

I am curious to know if there are Ericksonian therapists who use mythology as a source of therapeutic metaphor. I ask because I know of several people in my life (myself included) who have read in classical or other mythologies and become inspired by the stories and figures therein. This inspiration has certainly helped them (and myself) to persist in situations that seemed overwhelming at the time.

For instance, the Odyssey of Homer is FULL of metaphors about not only how to, as Casteneda might say, "live as a warrior", (where words and actions are used for benficial purposes instead of just out of habit) but also about many basic, useful patterns for living. (Slaughtering people who attempt to marry your mother is NOT one of these patterns. :) Sticking up for yourself when you are being blatantly used may be a better interpretation for our time.)

Odysseus describes himself as a person of many sorrows. A lot of clients, I imagine, see themselves as having had to deal with an unusually large amount of difficulty in life. If a client were able to identify with the someone like Odysseus, he may be able to generate some new behaviors. Although Odysseus is continually plagued by misfortune, he does not let it cripple his ability to continue living life in the best way he knows how.

It seems to me like there are a lot of parallels like this to be found within various mythologies. What do you think? Does anyone utilize mythological stories to promote change in a client?

- Dan Gorrell

Replies:

Considerations on that (and admiration for Odysseus), by Steve Lankton, 06/05/01 Re:Considerations on that (and admiration for Odysseus), by Daniel J. Gorrell, 06/06/01 Re: Cheshire Cat, by Steve Lankton, 06/09/01

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