We’ve become so intellectual that we’ve forgotten the power of stories. Earlier societies were illiterate, and so history and stories were passed down by ear- either through recitation or song. Hence, we have remnants of sagas, myths, legends and stories that recorded what was culturally important. Were all these stories true? Of course not- at least not in the literal sense.  But what the stories carried were essential truths of something basic and fundamental. Take the Greek myths for example- those stories carried truths about the human condition, about relationships, about behaviors and reactions. So much so, that many of these myths have been used to understand human psychology- as for example- the Oedipus complex, or Narcissistic behavior.  The truths those stories hold are universal, archetypal and often unconscious.   Most religious stories and mythologies have some sort of similar root, some sort of global archetypes. Maynard James Keenan Humans use stories about themselves all the time, often to their detriment. You become convinced that you are not pretty/handsome enough, not smart/capable enough, not talented/skilled enough to do or accomplish something. That belief is so strong that your actions and behavior are controlled by that over-riding presumption. But are those “stories” factual evaluations of you?  No!  They are concoctions of your subconscious mind, which may seem true to you, but are…….