What is the Odyssey really about? Beneath the adventures, the monsters, and the gods, what deep wisdom about life has kept this story relevant for millennia?
With Nolan’s film adaptation bringing renewed attention to the Odyssey, I decided to sit down with mythographer, filmmaker, and bestselling author Phil Cousineau. Phil has spent over 50 years studying Greek myth, and in his latest book, The Wisdom of the Odyssey, he mines Homer’s epic for insights we can apply in our own lives.
Phil calls the Odyssey “the original seeker account”, seeing Odysseus as a man on a quest to win back his soul. In our conversation, we explore the spiritual wisdom of the epic and the lessons it can teach us to live more wisely ourselves. Some of the questions we touch on are:
- How do we heal the wounds that violence and temptation open in our souls?
- What can help us choose life over the false paradise of pleasure?
- How can telling our own story help us reclaim our lives from trauma and addiction?
- What is the force that can help us endure the dark night of the soul?
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover Homer’s masterpiece, and that it serves you as a companion on your own odyssey through life.
With love and gratitude,
Simeon
P.S. You can order Phil’s new book here. Your purchase would earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.
