Coming of Age as Rebirth

This episode begins with the contemporary psychological theory of a "reminiscence bump" which attempts to explain why we remember certain songs and events from our youth, while forgetting most other things. The theory includes the idea that our sense of identity comes from an internalized story that we construct to make sense of our life. Michael Meade contrasts this kind of mainstream psychology with the ancient idea that youth is not simply a stage or a phase in life, but more of a meaningful, symbolic condition connected to something eternal and enduring in our souls.

In ancient myths and fairy tales it is the youngest sister or youngest brother who represents the eternal youth that is part of the natural inheritance of each person's psyche. Although considered too slow or weird or dreamy to begin with, the youngest part of the psyche carries the dream of one's life as well as our innate connection to the roots of nature and the realm of spirit. In terms of myth and depth psychology, the eternal youth of the soul turns out to be the only one able to find a way forward when everyone else has become fearful, discouraged and stuck in life.

The old idea of "coming of age" involved coming in contact with the inner dream of one's life and the enduring passions and unique inner story already seeded in one's soul. Ultimately, the thing we are secretly trying to save is our own authentic lives. And at each critical turning point in life it is this youngest inner sister or brother that tries to awaken further and connect us with what has been long forgotten and what is being newly imagined. When the future of the world is in question, it is the youngest part of the psyche that knows what people have forgotten and what human culture most needs in order to heal, transform and reconnect to the dream of life.

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