Your Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell, a scholar of myths, discovered the Hero’s Journey when he recognised a common pattern in all great mythological stories from cultures far and wide. He found that all the stories he encountered, though separated by oceans and centuries, shared a similar structure. He called this structure the “monomyth”, or the common template that each of these stories were based on which, he realised, was the universal process of making a hero. We know this in its more popular term as “the hero’s journey”.

The birth of his famous work, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, was a journey in itself. An editor suggested he write a book on mythology, but Campbell, ever the trailblazer, decided to write about “how to read a myth” instead. His inspiration came from various sources, including the works of Leo Frobenius and Arnold van Gennep, who had studied myths and initiation rites. Campbell saw that their findings mirrored his own - the hero’s journey was not just a story structure, but a universal human experience.

Over time, Campbell refined his ideas and the phrase “the hero’s journey” was born. The idea that all heroes in history and in myth have taken a common path, have since spread out like ripples in a pond and influenced countless artists and storytellers. Campbell's work has inspired and guided almost every great movie that has been made since and resonated with all age groups and audiences everywhere because we all share the attributes as well as the trials and tribulations of heroes as we embark daily on our own quests and face our own dragons; sometimes managing to find the treasures we are seeking and sometimes failing spectacularly. 

The defining Hero is not necessarily one who invariably succeeds. Indeed, the most captivating of heroes do not embark on the journey with any assurance of success, and often with the odds stacked against them. And it is not the fact that they always succeed - which draws us to those heroes – but instead their defiance and resolve, and the grace with which they face potential as well as actual failure.

Every great story ever told has invariably been about hero – a brave protagonist embarking on a thrilling quest, wrestling with a crisis and returning home, not just victorious, but fundamentally transformed. But the template has since evolved into many dimensions – quite noticeably on the silver screen. There are also equally compelling stories based on anti-heroes – or the irredeemable protagonist embarking on a vengeful quest, creating new crises and deepening existing ones, who seek only to avenge the world and therefore stubbornly refusing the forgiveness, empathy and inner transformation necessary for their own redemption. The story of Arthur Fleck in the 2019 ‘Joker’ is a classic example of this. Both these journeys mirror the paths we can take in our own personal and spiritual evolution. 

In the theatre of life, we often find ourselves on the precipice of daunting challenges that push us beyond our comfort zones, compelling us to face our deepest fears and insecurities. These moments are our personal “Calls to Adventure”. It is during these pivotal times that we are afforded the opportunity to embark on our own journey, and it is our choice whether we take the path of the hero or anti-hero. We can embrace the path of the Hero – to heed the call, follow the mentor, endure hardship and return transformed. Alternatively, we can rail against the injustice that have placed us at the precipice and resent the fact of being called to take a perilous and arduous journey. If we can summon enough courage and honest self-reflection, we would be able to discover times we have taken both the path of the hero as well as that of the anti-hero.

The hero’s path is arguably more difficult and requires the protagonist to have cultivated the virtue of courage to embark on a path that we know will lead to hardship, a willingness to sacrifice the comforts of familiarity and the vulnerability to be transformed. Yet, it is the path to fulfilment and growth. The alternative is the hell of stagnation. The template of the Hero’s Journey serves as a compass, pointing us towards the heroic adventure as well as helping us contextualize our circumstances and develop a positive vision for what is ahead of us – even if it is the deepest trials and darkest crisis that await us. It reassures us that hurdles and obstacles are not just unavoidable but essential stepping stones on the path to growth. It does not deny the metaphorical “dragons” that lay ahead in our path but reassures us that we have what it takes to vanquish them and emerge stronger and wiser.

Incorporating the Hero’s Journey into our lives is a process of self-discovery and personal growth. Here are some practical steps to do so:

1. Keep your sword sharpened and your quiver full: The values we live by and the habits we cultivate, the strength of our character and the wholesomeness of our friendships will be the weapons we carry on our hero's quest. So focus on cultivating those so that you are ready to heed the call to adventure even when you least expect it.

2. Respond to your call to adventure: This is the first step in your Hero’s Journey. It could be a personal goal, a challenge you’re facing, or a change you want to make in your life. It’s something that pushes you out of your comfort zone and compels you to take action.

3. Embrace the journey: Understand that the journey will not be easy. There will be obstacles and setbacks along the way. But these challenges are not meant to defeat you. They’re meant to help you grow and become stronger. Embrace them as opportunities for learning and growth.

4. Seek guidance: On their journey, heroes often have mentors who guide them and provide wisdom. In your life, these could be teachers, coaches, friends, or family members who support and inspire you. Don’t hesitate to seek their advice and learn from their experiences. You may equally find an able, ever present and devoted mentor within you. Be open to all the channels through which genuine mentorship can flow into your life as various times.

5. Face your challenges: Every hero faces trials and tribulations. These are your moments of growth. Face your challenges with courage and determination. Remember, it’s not about winning or losing, but about how you face these challenges and what you learn from them.

6. Incorporate your shadow: Acknowledge and accept your flaws and weaknesses. They are a part of who you are. By incorporating your shadow, you become a more authentic and whole person. This is a crucial step in becoming the hero of your own story.

7. Celebrate your victories and learn from your defeats: Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. Celebrate these moments. They are proof of your growth and resilience. At the same time, don’t be disheartened by defeat. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

8. Return transformed: At the end of your journey, you will not be the same person you were when you started. You will be stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Share your story and the lessons you’ve learned. You never know who might be inspired by your journey.

Remember, the Hero’s Journey is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous process of growth and transformation. So, keep going. Keep growing. And keep being the hero of your own story.