"New Zealand's Mythic Merge - Creating a New, Regenerative Maori - Western Mythology" - "A Call for Research & Collaborators - Initial Questions & Research" by Mythologist William George Paul, Wellington, NZ. Dedicated to Mark Knopfler, my Angel.

Preludes -

Christ Love is one of Regeneration

Took what he had
Saw the scene
Live the truth thru love
Lived the lessons for us

Come back in our hearts to continue God's plan for us

Christ love is one of regeneration

He gathered what we knew
Made the scene
Brought truth thru love
And lived the lessons for us

Come back in our hearts to continue God's plan for us
We are one community and free

WOX

+ + + + + + +

I have a lot to learn about the Maori spirit and vision. This is my hand shake in respect and love.

WOX

I. Initial Research Questions -

How do we define myth in NZ? Tis there "old" myth and "new" myth?

How does the bi-lingual education mandate impact new myth making in New Zealand?

Are kids really telling stories? To who? How?

What are the dominate symbols and archetypes in Maori mythology?

Is a hybrid, contemporary mythology possible that blends Maori and western mythic reservoirs?

What are the main Maori family and tribal values and traditions? How do these compare to the western myths?

The family is under attack in the west. How is the family doing at the Maori home?

What role do ritual and indoctrination play in both cultures?

When is myth just religion?

What is acting negatively on the Maori story base? Consider: Technology? Sexual Pressures? Racism?

Are the Maori creating new traditions?

How can regenerative principles and values help to morph old myths or to create new myths in other culture?

How do dreams influence each culture's myths?

Is social media supporting or confusing story generation?

How are where are the Maori and western myths classing? Any known mediations?

Is Maori "pop culture?"

Is architecture a catalyst or a barrier in the creation of new mythology?

+ + + + + + +

II. Some Background Information -

Regenerative Media Principles and Values (from willipaul.studio)

The Studio's design values are forged with the community first and shares priorities from the permaculture with the transition towne movement. We put Nature and sustainability first.

Purpose-driven Decision Making – Make every decision in service of an inspirational purpose.

Conscious Leadership – Cultivate awareness with resiliency.

Transparency and Accountability - Update budget and deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.

Community Investment & Networking – Connecting clients with the larger movement.

Connecting Local to Global Solutions – Support neighborhoods and build up.

+ + + + + + +

III. Helpful Quotes

Often when we say that something is "just a myth," we mean that it isn't real or that it lacks a factual basis. However, the word "myth" itself refers to a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

In American culture, myths produce, clarify, and regulate ideals of identity. These myths are usually based off of significant time periods in history, and popular literature is a primary source for creating, reflecting, supporting, or undermining these American myths.

The novels in the fall book discussion series of Let's Talk about it attest to the myth-making power of fiction. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a book that few people have read but everyone knows. Stowe brings Christian mythology to bear on the American conscience, but also uses slave narratives to create new myths that remain cultural reference points even today.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is a "mythopoetic" story told starkly yet lyrically through haunting, boldly original images. The title character dedicates his every action to achieve "the American Dream," but becomes a classic victim of that myth as well.

Jack Schaefer's 1949 novel "Shane" reenacts, for a weary post-World War II audience, a rousing battle between good and evil, while also reaffirming the myth of the American as a rugged individual and the West as a sanctuary for the free and brave.

Myths often grow out of war and the Civil War has been mythologized in many classic novels. Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain" references these works, yet revises them as well.
One of the values of any myth is that it preserves mysteries that lie buried in every soul and society. Elizabeth Strout's "Olive Kitteridge" is both mythic and mysterious while also being terrorizing and fascinating.

Amanda Dekker, Cumberland County Public Library

"But love does lie in one's heart, where memories are but shadows lingering in your soul. Love is giving someone the power to break your heart, but trusting them not to. You are simply giving the other person the right to make their own choices without your disappointment. Loving you is a choice, and it can only be real if it is given freely, without wanting anything in return."

Malou Carreon, Burlingame, CA 2018

"Visuals dominate in our life. Sound seems to play a secondary role. We wanted to break that habit. Normally you collect paintings, graphics, classics of product design or sculptures and put them into exhibitions and museums," write Daniel Chun and Jan Derksen in their press kit. "But very few curate sound."
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/90232412/these-familiar-sounds-will-soon-disappear-from-our-world

Meg is especially interested in bringing the concept of Islands of Sanity to Transition Towns. Building on the strong identity of community that's been established, sane leadership is the necessary next step. Sane leadership is the unshakable confidence that people can be generous, creative and kind. At this time when fear and polarization predominate, and people find it increasingly difficult to work well together, how do we create the conditions for people's best qualities to manifest within the community on behalf of the issues we most care about?

Passage from a recent Transition Towne online meeting

Referenced Links -

https://www.maori.info/maori_history.htm

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/maori-view-their-natural-world

http://www.firstfound.org/david%20miller.htm