Navigating the Waters of Life: Michael Meade's Insights on Masculinity
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Chapter 1: The Dual Nature of Substances
My grandfather, a pharmacist by trade, had a rather unconventional approach to medicine. He would even dispense rat poison—specifically strychnine—from a large jug labeled "Strychnine Poison" in the basement of his drugstore. In those days, it was a common blood thinner. For those with a valid prescription, he would dilute it accordingly, while for others, the poison was poured straight.
Interestingly, right beside the strychnine was another jug filled with Tincture of Opium, often used in cough syrups. The takeaway is that many bioactive substances can serve vastly different purposes depending on their dosage; the same substance can be harmless, medicinal, or lethal.
Dosage is everything.
Testosterone: The Fine Line Between Health and Harm
This brings us to testosterone, another bioactive substance that presents similar challenges. Both insufficient and excessive amounts can lead to health issues, with the latter posing a risk not only to the individual but also to those around them.
Note: This discussion is part of a broader series on Myth and Gender. It initially explored myth and later shifted to the scientific aspects of gender and heroism.
The Complexities of Gender and Hormones
While testosterone is often linked to masculinity, this is an oversimplification. Gender is a multifaceted construct shaped by both cultural and biological factors. At its most fundamental level, gender serves to perpetuate the species, governed by one of our primary endocrine systems—specifically, the sex hormone system. In human development, there are critical hormonal surges: one during fetal growth and another at puberty, with women experiencing a third surge during menopause.
Although we often refer to hormones as "male" or "female," a balance of both is essential for everyone. This hormonal equilibrium significantly influences health throughout life, extending beyond the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. For men, adequate estrogen is crucial for overall well-being, while women navigate complex estrogen cycles throughout their lives, including fluctuations during pregnancy and a notable change during menopause. Interestingly, women actually possess more testosterone than estrogen, albeit usually less than men.
Testosterone and Its Impact
Men's typically higher testosterone levels facilitate muscle growth, leading some to misuse synthetic variants like steroids. Some female bodybuilders even monitor vocal tone to detect drops linked to testosterone, adjusting their usage to avoid masculine traits like facial hair.
Insufficient testosterone can compromise health, but excess testosterone can result in adverse psychological effects, including anger, aggression, depression, and mania. Research suggests that dosage is indeed crucial, as with any drug.
Introducing Michael Meade
This discussion leads us to Michael Meade, a prominent figure in the mythopoetic tradition. Meade's work contrasts with Joseph Campbell's concept of a universal monomyth and Carl Jung's interpretation of these narratives as a journey toward self-integration. Meade's focus expands from the individual to encompass groups and cultures, addressing behaviors that could be described as testosterone-driven.
Unlike Campbell or Jung, Meade advocates for active social practices, often through workshops or group therapy sessions, aimed at transforming individuals and, consequently, society. He delves into the repercussions of anger, aggression, violence, and trauma, offering a simplified perspective on the consequences of excessive testosterone or prolonged testosterone exposure. He discusses the importance of myth and narrative in this context, likening aggression to fire and suggesting that its balance lies in water.
Men and the Water of Life
Meade's biography is notably masculine; it includes his experiences in a New York City street gang and a period spent in solitary confinement during the Vietnam War for refusing to fight. A central theme in his book, Men and the Water of Life: Initiation and the Tempering of Men, is the necessity of initiation for men to channel their tendencies toward anger and violence into constructive community service.
The narrative framework of fire and water serves as the backbone of his work: water symbolizes life and community, while fire has the potential to nurture or destroy. Initiation, according to Meade, is what binds fire to the service of water.
Meade's Evolution in Thought
Although initially aligned with the Men's Groups movement of the 1990s, Meade has since distanced himself from it. His 1993 book was followed by The Water of Life: Initiation and the Tempering of the Soul in 2006, which repositions these themes to be more inclusive. He currently offers a podcast series titled Living Myth and online courses designed to harness the healing power of myth and storytelling, inspiring creativity and genuine hope.
The Transformative Power of Story
Meade's interest in storytelling can be traced back to his early adolescence when he deftly talked his way out of a confrontation with older boys. His storytelling prowess not only saved him but also triggered a positive change in his friend's relationship with his abusive brother.
A significant turning point in Meade's life occurred during the Vietnam War, where his refusal to engage in combat led to 16 months of solitary confinement. This experience deepened his understanding of trauma and violence, both personally and collectively.
Meade's Approach to Healing
In his teachings, Meade employs narrative cycles that can extend across multiple sessions. One such story involves a boy and his father, culminating in a dramatic choice that symbolizes deeper familial conflicts and intergenerational trauma.
The emotional resonance of this tale prompted discussions among men of all ages, as they connected their own experiences of paternal relationships to the narrative. Meade believes that storytelling has the power to bring unspoken conflicts to light, integrating them into collective consciousness rather than allowing them to manifest destructively within families and communities.
Meade’s Perspective on Society
Ultimately, Meade's work focuses on societal transformation through initiation rather than solely psychological insight. He posits that initiation is necessary to bind our tendencies toward violence and self-destruction to life-affirming values like community and sustainability.
As Meade articulates, "The Water of Life," which is sorely lacking in contemporary society, has a healing effect that cools excessive aggression while invigorating passivity. Tears can act as a balancing force, reducing testosterone levels in those prone to violence while potentially elevating it in those with low levels.
In conclusion, understanding dosage—whether of hormones or emotions—is crucial. The balance between our inner fires and the waters of life is essential; otherwise, we risk destruction or oblivion.
For deeper exploration, refer to other installments in the Myth and Gender series:
- Part One: The Night Sea Journey in Campbell and Jung
- Part Two: Myth and Gender in Jungian Psychology
- Part Three: Gender vs. The Springhill Mining Disaster
For further narratives aimed at fostering understanding and creating a better world, follow Fourth Wave. If you have a story or poem centered on women or marginalized groups, we invite you to submit it to the Wave!
Michael Meade shares insights on the intricate balance of masculinity, initiation, and community in "Holding the Thread of Life."
Explore transformation and healing with Michael Meade in "The Heart of Transformation."