The Hero’s Journey: A Transformative Framework for Personal Growth

Recently, I’ve been revisiting the work of Joseph Campbell, whose books had a profound effect on me as a teenager and young adult. In brief, at age eighteen, I suffered a serious spinal injury that warranted many surgeries. Things did not go according to plan, thoughts spiralled, and I entered an extended dark night of the soul. I remember the unrelenting pain, feeling lost, confused, less than, emasculated, and that my life as I knew it was over. Surgeons had told me that it was unlikely that I would work again, and believing them, I found myself feeling deeply suicidal. Not one doctor asked me about my childhood &/or any inner psychological or emotional struggles and with prescriptions being the norm, I found myself dependent on opiates and anti-depressants.

When the student is ready the teacher will appear: one night, whilst dreaming, I found myself sat in an expansive field staring into a fire. I remember, as I type this, the unique blend of earth and smoke that filled my nostrils, the colour and intensity of the flames, and the heat as it licked against the exposed skin of my arms and face. At one point I glanced across the fire to find an elderly man sat staring back at me, which jolted me somewhat. As we took in one another, I realised that it was an older version of me, positioned somewhere in my eighties. He looked regal like, calm, composed, strong, wise, unflappable… Suddenly, I noticed that the intensity of the flames had retreated and that he was extending his right hand toward me, his index finger curled, beckoning me to ‘come closer.’ As I leant forward, he leant towards me also, and out of nowhere he let out the biggest scream: “WAKE UP!” And, wake up I did, flying backwards out of bed and hitting my head on the bedroom wall. That dream, that moment, changed my life. The next day, and I am not advising anyone to do this, I stopped the anti-depressants and opiates cold-turkey, rode the necessary waves, and enrolled in several courses at college – homeopathy, sign language, computers and a diploma in counselling. In subsequent meditations and downloads received, I set my sights on becoming a dentist. Whilst everyone, including those closest to me, doubted me, failure was not a possibility for that beautiful, wounded, young man. A lion had awakened within him and he had answered the call—and awaken he did…(a story for another day)

To this day, I still find Joseph Campbell’s work rich, powerful, and inspiring. In the following words, I begin with a brief description of him and then offer an abridged version of the basic steps of the Hero’s Journey. If you haven’t heard of his work, I invite you to search for’ Hero’s Journey’ on any search engine and click on ‘images,’ which will show the steps. His book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, was the first book I read after my dream, and to say that it blew me open would be an understatement…

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Joseph Campbell, the American mythologist, spent years studying myths, legends, and stories from various cultures. His groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, uncovered a universal pattern in these tales—a deep structure he called the “Hero’s Journey.” This journey represents a deep, transformative process that anyone can embark upon, that there are many different ways that this hero’s journey can unfold, but they all share a common framework. Campbell’s framework offers a roadmap to understanding our own path of growth, challenge, and self-discovery.

The Hero’s Journey consists of several steps stages, each representing a significant milestone on the road to personal transformation. Below is a short exploration of these and how they relate to our own life experiences.

  1. The Calling

The journey begins with a “calling,” an event or experience that invites us to step into something greater than ourselves. This could be a crisis, a challenge, or even an inspiring moment of joy. The call often emerges when something in the world needs to be healed, created, or renewed. This is not about fulfilling the ego’s desires—wealth, fame, or status—but rather about responding to something that calls our soul to grow, evolve, and serve the greater good.

Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now, believes that the soul’s primary function is to awaken. This calling is an invitation to awaken to our higher potential and contribute to the world in meaningful ways. The call may come from suffering or joy, but it always asks us to transcend our ordinary existence and take on a new purpose.

  1. The Refusal of the Call

Although the call is powerful, many heroes initially refuse it. Fear, doubt, and insecurity can create resistance to stepping into the unknown. The refusal is a natural part of the journey, as it can be overwhelming to leave behind the safety and comfort of the known world. Society, family, or our inner voice may also reinforce the reluctance, urging us to avoid the challenge. But eventually, the hero, if they are to honour the call, must summon the courage to accept the call, even if it seems daunting.

  1. Crossing the Threshold

Once the hero commits, they cross a threshold into uncharted territory. This is the point of no return, where the hero leaves their comfort zone and ventures into the unknown. The journey becomes unpredictable, filled with challenges that require new skills, strength, and resilience. It’s the start of a transformative experience, where the hero begins to confront their deepest fears and limitations.

  1. Finding Guardians

As the hero navigates this unfamiliar world, they encounter “guardians”—mentors, teachers, or supportive figures who provide guidance, tools, or encouragement. These guardians are vital for helping the hero stay on track. While the journey is deeply personal, it’s not a solitary path; the hero must find support from those who have walked similar roads or possess wisdom that can help them overcome obstacles.

  1. Facing Demons and Shadows

One of the most challenging parts of the Hero’s Journey is confronting the “demons”—the fears, insecurities, and negative forces that stand in the way of the hero’s growth. These demons can manifest externally (like adversaries or life crises) or internally (like self-doubt or addiction). The hero must learn to face these challenges, not by fighting them, but by transforming their relationship with them. Understanding that demons are often reflections of our inner shadows is key to the hero’s transformation.

  1. Developing an Inner Self

As the journey progresses, the hero must develop what’s called an “inner self”—a deeper connection to their intuitive wisdom, emotional intelligence, and spiritual understanding. The hero learns to navigate life’s challenges with greater self-awareness, resilience, and trust in the larger flow of existence. This stage is about mastering the “inner game” of life—managing stress, failure, and the emotional ups and downs that come with growth.

  1. Transformation

Through trials and challenges, the hero is transformed. This stage represents the internal growth that occurs when the hero faces difficult obstacles and learns to create new solutions and strengths. The transformation is not just about personal success but about creating something new in the world—whether that’s a new perspective, creation, or contribution to the community.

  1. The Return Home

The final stage of the Hero’s Journey is the return home, where the hero shares their newfound wisdom and insights with the world. This return is essential for the integration of the lessons learned during the journey. The hero must find a way to bring the transformation back into their ordinary life, often facing resistance from others who may not understand the changes. This stage is about giving back to the community and ensuring that the journey’s lessons are shared for the collective benefit.

Final Thoughts

The Hero’s Journey is not a linear path but a cyclical process of growth and renewal. Many individuals can experience many hero’s journeys in a lifetime and several smaller journeys within one main journey. Each stage offers an opportunity for deep reflection and personal development, pushing the hero to grow beyond what they thought possible. Whether through external challenges or inner conflicts, the journey asks us to evolve, heal, and ultimately return to the world transformed.

By recognising the stages of the Hero’s Journey in our own lives, we can find meaning in the challenges we face and navigate them with courage, resilience, and wisdom. The journey may be difficult, but it is through this transformative process that we discover our true potential and our deeper purpose.

Some questions to ponder…

Q: What is life calling from you – what is the calling of what you are currently feeling challenged by?

Q: What is the situation calling you to become?

Q: Imagine you are on your death bed at eighty eight years of age, having lived a rich, full live. What would you like your gravestone to read (an extended version is always welcome)?