Is the emphasis on a rational grasp of reality destroying the creativity and insight that come from dreams and myth?

Manhole cover in Perth, Australia
© Ole Reidar Johansen with CCLicense

The indigenous peoples of Australia have fantastic Creation myths, peppered by archetypes and universal stories that have been given local color and significance. These people are not only keeping alive a sacred tradition, they are living it. Because of the particular qualities of that tradition, known as the Dreamtime, they have an extremely unique relationship to their land and to the creative spirit.

The Dreamtime existed in the beginning, a place of unbridled creativity and surprises unhampered by logical reality. It was from this place that creation sprung and souls took the form of humans, animals and plants. This is a very intelligent way of dealing with that which is valuable and yet not literal. It acknowledges that…