Mythology

Science studies the tangible world — things we can touch, see, measure.

In the Middle Ages, Christian thinkers studied nature to understand God’s creation. They believed uncovering the basic elements meant peering into the mind of God. This drove the growth of modern science.

But this is just the world of things, where the action takes place. It’s a backdrop for the game that takes place in our heads. We construct personal narratives or myths to make sense of our lives as we go along. We always tell ourselves stories about who we are and what we do.

We are all storytellers. These stories are not fictional — they are our interpretation of reality. The most important question is: what myths are you telling yourself about what is going on? What are you doing? Are you winning?

Those stories unfold in a fictional space in our heads which is a reflection of the world around us. But as we know reality is much more than we can comprehend. So we pack the parts of it into the mind map in our head. The map of meaning.

Science measures and explains the world of things. The map of meaning is more abstract. Scientific maps chart physical territory. Maps of meaning chart the psychological and emotional terrain of our inner world.

Ask yourself: What do you believe is going on in your life right now?

Your map of meaning is built from personal experiences, cultural stories, upbringing, and beliefs. It shapes how you interpret events and define your values. It steers the story you tell yourself. What do you believe is going on right now?

Science deals with the measurable. The map of meaning deals with purpose, morality, existence. This is where religion, philosophy, and personal reflection come in. We tell ourselves stories. One of them keeps coming back.