Table of Contents & Extract on line!
A working version of the Table of Contents and an extract is available online. Download as a PDF @ Inner Traditions: click here
Table of Contents
> Introduction - The Origins of Our Questions
> Chapter One - Life and Meaning in Myth
Unearthing the Evidence and the Methodology of Initial Study
> Chapter Two - Myths of Creation and the Arising of Self
Origins and Evolution of the Sumerian Creation Myths
The Beginning in Sumerian Creation Myths
Comparisons between Egyptian and Sumerian Creation Myths
The Sumerian Creation of Men and Women The Egyptian Creation of Men and Women
The Summing-Up
> Chapter Three - A Dialogue of the Ages
A Conversation between Friends
Final Comments
> Chapter Four - Gilgamesh: The Struggle for Life
The Meeting of Gilgamesh and Enkidu and the
Two-sided Nature of Being
 The Character of Enkidu
Aspects of the Foundation of Personality in Gilgamesh and Enkidu
The Partnership Continues
Further Illusions in the Land of the Living
Difficulties of Matching Aspirations with Abilities
The Power of Discrimination; The Story of the Flood
An Important Aspect of the Love of Self
> Chapter Five - Ancient Egyptian Myths of the Arising of Self
Our Basis of Understanding of the Osiris Myth
Myths of the Mystery of Existence in Ancient Egypt
Symbols of Family Relationships
The Myth of Osiris and Isis
The Roles of Osiris and Isis
The Continuing Situation of Osiris in Relation to the Egyptian Experience
A Bald Generalization from the Egyptian Myths of the Mystery of Existence
> Chapter Six - Journeys through the Netherworld
Ancient Egyptian Literature and Tradition on Consciousness
Creation Symbols That Accompany the Creation of Atum The Dwat
Reflections on the Nature and Effects of Entropy Continuation of the Main Theme
Concepts of the “Afterlife” in the Sumerian Tradition
Evaluation of Differences between the Sumerian and Egyptian Netherworld
Egyptian Symbolism of Time A Summary
> Chapter Seven - Search for Wholeness and the Self
Two Principles of Creation: The Personifications of Heka and Maat
The Case for the Importance of Heka
Characteristics of Heka Relating to the Arising of Self
The Relationship between Heka and Maat
The Need to Awaken to the Larger View of Reality
A Final Word
> Appendix 1 - Lineage of Myth
The Egyptian Lineage
The Sumerian Lineage
The Potential for Some Shared Influences Distinguishing Ancient from Primitive
> Appendix 2 - Meanings Contained in Glyphs
> Appendix 3 - Creation Represented in Number Systems
> Notes
> Bibliography
> Index