The story of the Chilean miners who descended into the earth and were ultimately retrieved and reborn – is a mythic tale. It’s fascinating and has the most profound meaning that’s inherent in all cultures and for all time. It’s a story about shamans or healers, about the underworld of the subconscious mind, about rebirth that even touches on the story of Jesus who rose from the dead. Interestingly enough, Chile has a deep tradition of Shamanism or healing and provided a perfect location for this mythic tale.
Shamans and Healing
Shamans came to this earth to heal and teach. But first they had to undergo their own transformation – and in some cases, this process was painful, arduous, even tragic – as they often went to the brink of death. They underwent illness and suffering, and when the time was right, they awakened to new life. They were then ready to be healers and teachers.
The Healing Mission of the Miners
The Chilean miners had a healing mission too. They were underground (in the mythic underworld) for two months. The first 17 days brought suffering, starvation, and life-threatening conditions. Their healing mission was to bring hope (“esperanza”) to others in the world who also are struggling with having fallen into their own types of underworlds. The love they brought to the surface when they came back from their underground world brought healing and happiness, if only for the moment, to the world.
The Subconscious Mind
So it is with the deep subconscious mind – especially if someone is going through profound challenges like illness, loss, or strife of any kind. It’s a time of travelling to the underworld of the deep inner mind with all of its fears and darkness. But there is a time when the travail is over and the healing happens. This process can take place in healing sessions as well, in which you may go to the deepest inner place of human dilemmas and finally emerge with wisdom and strength.
What the Miners Found
The miners went down deeply into their subconscious and experienced their fears. They then found the superconscious, their faith and connection with God, and then they came back to earth, the conscious mind, where they emerged as transformed beings. They can never be the same again.
A Story of Rebirth
The Phoenix (or Fenix) capsule in which the miners were brought back to the surface – penetrated the opening into the mine – and through this action, a rebirth could take place. It’s primal and is the story of birth and rebirth of all beings, with the exception only of those brought here by divine conception alone.
The Meaning for Everyone
It’s okay to descend into the depths of the underworld. There are profound lessons there – shaping and molding character, developing courage and faith, and coming back to the surface as a transformed being. This is the story that is shared by all of us, and it’s the mythic tale of enlightenment and healing that is the cornerstone of life.
I enjoy your writings and this one in particular I feel hits a chord with many people as to what is happening in their lives.The world is going through a wonderful rebirthing and we are part of that process.The best message I feel is, that no matter what presents itself,learn from it and most important…..DO NOT EVER GIVE UP!! Many Blessings,Barry
Thanks for your comment, Barry. Yes, we need to learn from everything and move forward. Blessings to you!
Yes — “diabasis” as the Greeks called it — going into the nether world, processing what is found there, and then return to the conscious plane to utilize those gifts and guidance.
Thank you Marilyn, once again, for sharing your insights and enthusiasm. You bless all of us through your presence.
Namaste, Mary WD
Thank you, Mary, for taking the ideas here to another level. It’s quite profound, and I appreciate your taking the time to respond.Thanks again!
It truly is a mythic tale and thank you for writing such a clear article illuminating this. I think there are many profound insights to be learnt, not only for the men and their families, but us who watched as the events unfolded.
Thanks, Ben. Really great to hear your comments!
True, this story is so filled with ancient symbolism. I had been following it for a couple of weeks and another universal interpretation hit me:
“The mysteries were concerned with man’s problem of freeing his soul from the world. In the mystery symbologies the earth was always represented as the underworld, and the soul was lost in this underworld until freed from it by wisdom, faith, and understanding. Persephone, for instance, was abducted by Pluto, Lord of Hades. Persephone is the soul of man, whose true home is in the heavens.”
– from http://phoenixrise.awardspace.com/cayce.htm
Goodness. I certainly never saw those comparisons in the Chilean miner story.
And you presented them with such lucidity particularly the part about the role of suffering and disease. Nobody talks about that in mainstream society.
I can’t completely understand everything you’ve written, that’s for sure.
I hope you didn’t gain all this insight through personal pain.
I appreciate your comments, Luke. I’m glad you liked the different angle to the story of the miners. Yes, life does have a way of deepening one’s understanding of things. Thanks for taking the time to write and respond. Be well!