The Hero's Journey: How We Grow, One Quest at a Time

Scratch the surface of most books, movies, and plays, and you'll see that the story line is some form of  The Hero's (or Heroine's) Journey.  Why does this template resonate with us, and make us feel like we "just couldn't put that book down"?

We feel this resonance because we have experienced this journey in our own lives.  These quests result in changes in our level of understanding and growth. Some of us are going through this process now.  Those of us who are willing to grow and stretch will set out on more of these journeys. 

The Quest may look to be mostly inner or outer, but we as humans have a holistic nature.  The journey will change us in both ways.  Most of us don't go somewhere like Machu Picchu (pictured below)  just "because it was there."  It may look like an outer quest, but we are changed to the core when we return.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/The Power of Forever Photography

This is the first post of a series I have planned on this topic.  In this post, I'd like to give you an overview of the Quest structure, and then we'll explore the first few phases more closely in the next post.

If this post brings to mind one of your journeys, and you're willing to share it, please click "Comments" and tell us about it.  I believe that the more we use this blog to create community, the more we can enrich each other.  It's especially valuable in this time of economic sluggishness.

O.K., here's the overview of the Hero or Heroine's Quest, along with relevant photos:

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/PeskyMonkey

1) The hero-to-be  is at home, enjoying relative calm.
2) He hears the Call of the Quest.
3) He resists the Call because it has unknown risks, and he hesitates to leave his comfortable,  familiar environment.  He doubts that he can successfully complete the Quest. 
4) The Call gets too loud to resist.  Something or someone he cares about deeply is at risk.
5) The Hero accepts the Call, and he leaves his familiar environment to set out into the unknown.
6) He meets some unlikely but helpful friends along the way.
7) He's faced with a series of inner and outer obstacles along the way.
8) The most crucial part of the mission must be faced by the hero alone.
9) The successful hero returns home with a new perspective of himself and of life.  

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/DNY59

Thanks,

Susan

P.S.  I  would like to give you a clear look at what I deliver as a Coach.  I'll discuss these items in more detail in future posts.  For now, I'll share the main points with you.

What I Bring to Our Coaching Relationship

~I enrich your "thinking environment."~

~I'm a catalyst for positive changes in you, so you can become the person you need to be to reach your goals.~

~I assist you in creating action plans that will carry you forward between our sessions.~

If you have any questions, or you'd like a complimentary exploratory session (by phone or in person), you can reach me here.

P.P.S. My post from June 21, 2012, called Enlightenment, the Sequel, is on the list of my top 
ten most popular posts, according to my Blogger stats.  Please check it out!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of  the TriCounty Network at www.tcnetwork.org.***

How an Enlightened Person Views the World

Welcome to Part 3 of the Enlightenment Series! (See 5/15/12 and 6/21/12 for the earlier posts.)  I'm not an expert on the topic, but I do find it fascinating!  This post will focus on what it might be like to see the "Earth Angels'" view of the world.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Vicky Leon

Enlightened folks understand the holistic nature of our world.  They are patient, because they keep in mind, for example, that for the flowers in the photo to bloom, lots of elements and processes must be present and come together in a certain way to make these flowers.  A lot of what goes on can't be seen. 


I think we all expect this with flowers, but we forget it when we are trying to manifest dreams and goals over a long period of time, and we don't see any indication of change yet.  "Earth Angels" see everything in a holistic framework, so they trust in this natural way that our world works.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Daniel Halvorson

  

Those enjoying enlightenment also understand that in this world, what you see is not what you get in the time/space arena.  As physical beings, we must operate with this illusion of time and space.  But when we get help from the Unseen, it does not have the restrictions of time and space.  This is why "Distance Reiki" can exist as an energy practice, to name just one example.  


If this idea seems difficult to grasp, that's because it is!  You're not alone, and you don't need to fully understand it.  You just need to be aware of  it.  Because we are both spiritual and physical beings, we've been given this interesting adventure of having a foot in each camp!


I'd love to see your thoughts on this!


Thanks,
Susan


Mind Spa Coaching and Reiki

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org.***

   

Enlightenment, the Sequel

My last post, from May 15, 2012, is called "Shedding Some Light on Enlightenment."  In that post, I mentioned that, even though I'm no expert on the subject, I have lots of opinions about it!  :-)

Today's post explores a few more facets of the subject, based on my friendships with people who certainly seem to be well on their way to enlightenment.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Andrea Haase

I love this photo of the Yin/Yang symbol.  We're all familiar with it.  Enlightened folks live it as much as they can.  They know this symbol of balance applies to everything.  Here are a few examples:

Balance of...

• an individual's male (yang) and female (yin) energies
• action (yang) and inaction (yin)
• light (yang) and darkness (yin)
• helping others (yang) and stepping back and allowing (yin) them to learn by doing
• strength (yang) and and self-restraint (yin)
• the energy in a space (Feng Shui)
• chemicals in the body
• the foods we eat 

If you would like a challenge, observe and aid in the balancing of these energies, and see if you can think of more examples for the list.  Then click on "comments" below so we can work on this as a community.  Please let us know the results of your challenge.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Brian Jackson

An enlightened person is simply amazing when helping others.  Just imagine for a few moments that you are the person being helped, one-on-one.  The first thing you might notice is her soothing positive energy and the great effect it has on you.

She will give you 100% of her attention...that is so rare these days!  She's not in a hurry, and she knows how to listen.  As you speak with her, you'll soon realize that she sees your potential, and she's talking to you from that perspective.

This person frames suggestions in the most constructive way possible.  She's very open-minded, and you can see her love for humanity in her eyes.  She thrives rather than strives, and can help you do the same.  She is openly grateful for the opportunity to assist you.  Not only does she enjoy it, but she sees a tipping point at which positive energy can do even more good in this world.  And you, if you wish, are being recruited into the gentlest group of people you may ever know!

If there is any sort of boot camp at all, you were probably already there when you arrived, which could be why you're there in the first place!  It's that "dark night of the soul" boot camp, and you have come to the right person to assist you.  She can't get you out on her own, but she can point the way back to the light, if you're willing to take the many trusting steps that are required...not by her, but by your own psyche.....

I see my friends who are like this as Earth Angels.  Sometimes I ask them to turn around, so I can check for wings or a few stray feathers sticking out! :-) 

With gratitude,
Susan

Mind Spa Coaching and Reiki

with Susan Cleaver

P.S. Remember to fill us all in about the challenge above and about being in the company of these Earth Angels.  I know that many of you reading this are Earth Angels yourselves...be careful about those stray feathers!  :-)

P.P.S. Here's another post from the top ten most popular on creative4life.  You can find it in the archives under 2/22/12:

"Stewardship, Self-Care, and...Multi-Tasking?"

***All of Susan's posts on creative4life are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of the TriCounty Community Network at www.tcnetwork.org ***