THE HERO'S JOURNEY

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls." - Joseph Campbell

A journey about self discovery, "following your bliss".

The hero's journey was his all embracing metaphor for the deep inner journey of transformation that heroes from every time and place that hero's seem to share- a path that leads them to great movements of 

- Separation

- Descent

- Ordeal

- Return

The journey stages may be avoided, repeated or shifted depending upon the needs of the individual's story. The heroes journey is just as much as an 'inner voyage' as it is an 'external adventure'.

THE HERO'S JOURNEY

Typically there are 12 steps:

1) The Ordinary World -  where we all start, where the hero is a lesser version of himself- just like all of us. Most fall into the trap of society's doctrine and end up following the status quo like everybody else, we do what our family, friends and society tells us to do. Deep down we know that there's more to life. 

2) Call To Adventure - Destiny has summoned the hero and gives them the opportunities to embark on a new quest.

3) Refusal of the Call - The hero will almost always refuse the call (at least in the beginning, due to fears, insecurities, resistance and the unwillingness to change.

4) Meeting the Mentor - The hero encounters a mentor who gives them wisdom, insights and guidance that will help them on their journey. However, meeting a mentor doesn't have to happen physically.

5) Crossing the First Threshold - When the hero goes from the 'ordinary world' to the 'special world'. It's a metaphor for going into the unconscious and into the unknown- this is where the adventure of self-discovery truly begins! This is also the point of no return. After the hero crosses the first threshold, life will never be the same.

6) Test. Allies. Enemies - The hero learns the rules of the new world. Challenges, walls, conflicts arises. You meet new friends and have new experiences but at the same time, you face more challenges. The most important function of this stage int he story is the testing of the hero to prepare them for the ordeal that lies ahead.

7) Approach to the Innermost Cave - The 'innermost cave' may represent many things in the hero's story such as an actual location which lies a terrible danger or an inner conflict which up until now the hero hasn't faced yet. In many myths, the hero has to descend into hell to retrieve a loved one or into a cave to fight a dragon and receive the treasure. The dragon in mythology represents everything that you fear which guards the most precious treasure. This is a metaphor for life, it's when you break through the order side of what you fear most that bares the biggest rewards and growth - but this isn't easy by any means. It is at this stage in the hero's journey which the hero has to make a very tough decision. 

8) The Ordeal - This is usually the biggest challenge the hero must face, such as a deep inner crisis or hitting rock bottom. Only through the form of death can the hero be reborn, experiencing a metaphorical resurrection that somehow grants him greater power inside - which is necessary in order to fulfil his destiny. This is the high point of the hero's story and where everything he holds dear is put on the line. If he fails, he will either die or life as he knows it will never be the same again. 

9) The Reward, Seizing the Sword - After triumphing the ordeal in the innermost cave, the hero receives an award. Whether it's a physical object, knowledge or even love. The true, all healing elixir is the achievement of inner change.

10) The Road Back - After the hero gains a reward, we move into Act 3. The hero isn't out of the woods just yet, this stage marks the decision to return to the ordinary world. The hero realises that the special world must eventually be left behind, and that there are still dangers, temptations and tests ahead. If the hero has not resolved the issue with the conquered villain, in real life this refers to the shadow. It comes after him with a vengeance. In psychology, this refers to neurosis, bad habits, old addictions and the dark pasts coming back to haunt us after we thought we were done with them forever. 

11) Resurrection - During the resurrection, death and darkness are encountered one more time before they are conquered for good. Danger is usually at the peak of the entire story, and the threat is to the entire world, not just the hero. The stakes are at their highest, the hero uses all the lessons learned from their journey and is transformed into a new being with new insights. This could represent an ego death, for example - which triggers an enlightening experience. This is a critical point in the hero's journey where he or she realises that they had the power within them the whole time.

12) Return with the Elixir - Once the transformation is complete, the hero returns to the ordinary world with the elixir. A treasure, or a new understanding. Returning with the elixir means that the hero can now implement change in his daily life and use the lessons from his adventure to heal his wounds and help others in the ordinary world. This is important, because unless something is brought up from the ordeal in the innermost cave, the hero is doomed to repeat the adventure until the lesson is learned- which many of us stay stuck in - like a karmic cycle. 

The hero's journey isn't a linear path that you reach ones and finish forever. It is a cyclic journey of personal transformation where you constantly face challenged and resistance -which helps you to constantly grow and gain wisdom.



THE HERO'S JOURNEY IN 'THE HUNGER GAMES'

1) The Ordinary World - Introduction to Katniss Everdeen and hr living conditions in District 12.
2) Call to Adventure - Katniss' sister Prim gets chose to take part in The Hunger Games.
3) Refusal of the Call - Katniss doesn't want to join, but she has to for her sister.
4) Meeting the Mentor - She meets Haymitch, her mentor for the Hunger Games.
5) Crossing the First Threshold - Katniss arrives at the Capitol. 
6) Tests. Allies. Enemies - Katniss trains for the games and meets the other competitors.
7) Approach to the Innermost Cave - Katniss enters the arena and must survive.
8) The Ordeal - A hive of trackerjackers attack Katniss.
9) The Reward - Cato gets eaten alive by the mutts, leaving Katniss & Peeta as the survivors.
10) The Road Back - The capitol changes their rules again, making them choose who to live.
11) Resurrection - Peeta and Katniss plant to commit suicide together to die as martyrs.
12) Return with the Elixir - Peeta & Katniss survives, rewarded by privilege and luxury.