Growth | Hero's Journey - Joseph Campbell (1990)

🐵 I. Quick Summary:

The "Hero's Journey" is a term coined by mythologist Joseph Campbell in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." It describes a common pattern that runs through many of the world's mythological and storytelling traditions, and is considered to be a fundamental structure for successful storytelling.

1. The Call to Adventure

• The hero is called to embark on a journey, often leaving behind their familiar world to face challenges and obstacles.
• The call can come from a variety of sources, such as a mentor, divine intervention, or their own inner yearning for something greater.

2. The Refusal of the Call

• The hero may initially resist the call to adventure, either out of fear, comfort, or a sense of obligation to their current life.
• This refusal can be an important part of the hero's growth and transformation, as they must overcome their own resistance to embrace their destiny.

3. The Meeting with the Mentor

• The hero meets a wise mentor who provides guidance and support along their journey.
• This mentor can be a wise elder, a supernatural being, or a trusted friend, and they often give the hero tools or knowledge that they will need to succeed on their journey.

4. The Crossing of the Threshold

• The hero crosses a literal or metaphorical threshold, marking their departure from their former life and the beginning of their journey.
• This can be a dangerous and transformative experience, as the hero faces new challenges and obstacles, and must adapt to their new circumstances.

5. The Belly of the Whale

• The hero experiences a profound transformation or rebirth, often symbolized as being "swallowed" by a metaphorical whale.
• This represents the death and rebirth of the hero, as they let go of their former self and embrace a new identity.

6. The Road of Trials

• The hero faces a series of trials or challenges along their journey, each one requiring them to draw on their newfound strength and skills to overcome.
• These trials can be physical, psychological, or spiritual in nature, and serve to test the hero and help them grow.

7. The Atonement with the Father

• The hero must face and overcome the source of their greatest fear or conflict, often symbolized as a "father figure."
• This can be a literal father, a king or authority figure, or even an inner psychological figure, and it represents the hero's ultimate challenge.

8. The Ultimate Boon

• The hero successfully overcomes the trials and challenges of their journey, and receives the reward they sought, often symbolized as the "elixir."
• This boon can be a physical object, a newfound understanding or knowledge, or even a personal transformation, and it represents the hero's ultimate victory.

💯 II. Key Takeaways:

1. The Hero's Journey is a common pattern that runs through many of the world's mythologies and storytelling traditions.
2. The hero's journey is a journey of transformation, as they leave behind their former self and embrace a new identity.
3. The hero faces trials and challenges along their journey, each one helping them grow and become stronger.
4. The hero must overcome their greatest fear or conflict in order to achieve the ultimate boon.
5. The Hero's Journey is not just a story structure, but a metaphor for the human experience and the quest for personal growth and fulfillment.

🛰️ III. Quotes:

• "The adventure of the hero is the adventure of being alive." - Joseph Campbell
• "The goal of life is to make your vocation your vacation." - Mark Twain "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." - Carl Jung "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived." - Søren Kierkegaard