Gilgamesh Part 3: Crossing the Waters of Death

“Here is the epic of the fear of death.” Ranier Marie Rilke

This program is the third and final episode in my telling of the ancient Sumerian myth of Gilgamesh, the hero-king of Uruk. When he was a young man he terrorized his people, but at the end of his story they say that Gilgamesh was wise, that he traveled the world and knew secret things. 

What happened to Gilgamesh? He faced his fear of death.

Death isn’t something that we’re generally encouraged to contemplate and yet this existential problem (to put it mildly) is a universal task, the catalyst for the quest for purpose, love, and meaning, and the impetus for myth. 

Death looms large in these times of mass extinction and cultural disintegration and I believe that we must grapple with it to be fully alive and present, to do what each of us is here to do with courage, creativity, gratitude, and love. 

I hope your journey with Gilgamesh guides your further down your path to meaning.

A transcript of this podcast is available at http://www.mythicmojo.com

Thanks for listening and keep the mystery in your life alive.