Mythical Consciousness & Existential Connectedness Among Children: Findings from a Case Study at a Himalayan Village

Abstract

Folk stories are integral to cultivating cultural rootedness and connectedness with the natural surroundings in us. In the contemporary educational and social context, emotional wellness and sustainability issues are at the core of popular educational pedagogies, government policies, and healthcare practices. But, unfortunately, due to overemphasis on objectivity across different spheres of life, the human psyche is becoming increasingly fragmented, disoriented, and disconnected from nature resulting in multiple grave mental health challenges, and environment-degrading behavior. In this backdrop, myth can be relevant as a prime modus-operandi to positively modify human consciousness during younger age. Realizing the above, we have sought to explore the utility of mythical stories in shaping the younger selves. In particular, we analyzed prevalent mythical stories and Himalayan natives’ reflections regarding their meanings and process of influencing cognitions and behaviors related to existential connectedness. By using thematic analysis, we found that younger sections of the Indigenous community in the Central Himalayan region acquire several values and norms instrumental for broadening existential connectedness and experiencing the absence of stress and sedentary lifestyle habits.