“Midway upon the journey of our life,
I found myself within a dark forest,
for the straight way had been lost.”
— Dante Alighieri, Inferno, Part One of The Divine Comedy
Here we are, somewhere in the middle of life—navigating an unclear road ahead, where the familiar paths have vanished, and our compass spins unpredictably. Social tensions simmer. Climate change rages. Technology accelerates so quickly it feels less like innovation and more like a tidal wave, leaving us amazed, overwhelmed, and bewildered. The future feels like a tenuous Jenga tower, one bad decision away from toppling.
And yet, even in this wild forest of uncertainty, there is something steady—a quiet whisper that pulls us toward something deeper, something timeless: the mythic path.
This isn’t some near enemy-of-the-truth meme, nor is it about optimizing your life for perfection.
The mythic path begins with an inward journey, where we connect to the soul’s story—the unique, symbolic narrative that guides our life. Mythologist (and MEA faculty member) Michael Meade says, “In order to understand the conditions we are in, we must place ourselves not in the mainstream of life but in the timeless stream of myth.” This is an invitation to step into the deeper currents of existence, the symbolic and archetypal stories that have guided humanity through every age of upheaval and transformation.
I didn’t fully understand the pull of this path until I heard it calling me. Last year, at 60, I enrolled in a post-graduate program in Depth Psychology. It wasn’t a decision made from logic or career ambition—I already have advanced degrees and a fulfilling career serving businesses and leaders, helping them evolve their organizations. It was a decision to dive deeper into my story.
But you don’t have to pursue a degree to live the mythic path. As James Hillman beautifully wrote, “We are carrying a great treasure within us—an invisible gold waiting to be discovered.” To live the mythic path is to see beyond the surface of your daily life and connect to the symbolic and soulful dimensions beneath. It is to experience life as a rich, layered narrative full of beauty, struggle, growth, and meaning.
Part of the beauty is that you’re not just the main character in your story. You’re also the author, director, and narrator. You shape the story as you go.
In the language of Depth Psychology, “mythic” doesn’t mean fantasy or make-believe. Living mythically means asking, “What larger story am I part of? What is life asking of me right now? What am I asking of it?” It means seeing even the mundane—the long commute, the waiting room at the doctor’s office, the grocery line—as part of something much greater: your story.
When life feels uncertain, remember this: the mythic journey is about being fully present for life’s experiences. It’s about stepping forward with curiosity and courage, trusting that the story is unfolding as it’s meant to—even when the way ahead is unclear.
As the poet-philosopher John O’Donohue wrote, “I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”
This is the invitation of the mythic path: to flow with the twists, turns, and tumult, however small, however unknown. To lean into mystery. To listen for the whispers of the soul and trust that your story is the one you and the world need.
So, step into your story and follow Mary Oliver’s instructions for living: “Pay attention. / Be astonished. / Tell about it.” The forest may be dark or bright with promise, but the path is yours to make. Your story is waiting to be lived and told, and the world is waiting to hear it.
-Steven
From creating artwork to studying Depth Psychology and training in Somatic Experiencing, MEA alum Steven Morris is an ever-curious brand and culture-building expert, best-selling author of “The Beautiful Business,” and seeker who’s served 3,000+ business leaders at more than 275 companies — discover more at: https://matterco.co/