MATERIAL VS. SPIRITUAL #2
 The Hero/ine's journey

In future blogs we will also talk about:

Positive Psychology 

 Research on Gratitude

How our Subconscious sabotages our progress and how to counter it with Imagination 

As well as how they also all interconnect and support one another.

The Hero/ine's (which we have discussed before in the light of the wilderness experience) has many shades and can be done at all levels of self-actualization as well as deeper levels of Self-realization. It can occur because of deep yearning or inner calling that propels us out of who now are to who we might become. However, it can also be a kick in the butt that propels us in the right direction and out of our complacency.

Outward Bound organization takes folks of all ages and skills into nature and gives them increasingly difficult skills to perform assuring their success leading to self-mastery, concept, worth, esteem and even self actualization. Maslow "Survival" Needs embrace these principles. These also take place in our lower three survival chakras especially the third which is ego and our power base. We have to somewhat master these chakras before we graduate to the higher "Growth" Needs above the diaphragm. Its best not to skip chakras. Outward Bound has taken many students on a hero's journey to master these energy centers.

Once we graduate to the higher chakras the journey changes in intent and we become "Inward Bound. Now we are more aware of the need for going transpersonal and transcending up the chakra hierarchy to a greater Self-awareness and Self-Realization. The Ancestors prefer the word "Becoming" since we are never really Self-Realized - there is no end point - there is always room for more spiritual perfection and enlightenment.

"Stuff" and attachment to things and fame or our persona and ego will get in the way of the Hero's journey.

Rumi said; 

Give up owning things and being somebody. Quit existing."

and Lao Tzu;
Care about people’s approval & you will be their prisoner.

There are three phases to the Hero's journey (Van Gennep.) Van Gennep studied rites of passage and initiations in indigenous societies and defined these stages which are similar to Joseph Campbell's description of the archetype.

Separation
Threshold
Incorporation

In Separation the calling leads the hero to leave friends and family behind to embark on the journey. Here fear will always come up and resistance also because friends and loved ones are inducing you not to go. This may be because they are protective or they themselves have similar yearnings but lack the courage to proceed. In the typical archetypal journey the hero is give an object of power  (classically a sword or some such.) In our modern world it might be being inspired by a book, a workshop, a friend or anything else.
The "involuntary" journey is often propelled by loss of a job, a loved one or loss of health. One has a choice as to what to do in this instance - turn the shit into manure - or as the Buddhists say "take your suffering and make something useful out of it" or resign to a victims fate - understandable but not useful. In every catastrophe there is opportunity for growth and transformation rather than resignation and desperation. Fear is always part of the Separation as it is with all phases of the journey.



 Threshold is often the dark night of the soul where instead of facing the archetypal physical fear of being mauled by the wolf threatening the village one faces the inner demons arising out of inner fears. The latter is usually part of the "involuntary" journey which is forced upon one. A victory is won against all odds over the inner and outer threats and the heroine returns with the grail - for instance recovering from an ordeal with breast cancer and now a commitment to help other women in similar circumstances.
The difference between the Hero and the Warrior archetype is that the hero come back to give away the grail. The Warrior also goes through separation and threshold (e.g. the olympic gold medalist) but usually keeps the grail for himself - the family or the corporation... The hero gives it away to serve.
The key factors for the journey is a receptivity to the power of the archetype that gives the intention to transform no matter the challenge. Passion and will are huge here. The process usually involves a humbling or subordination of the ego to the Higher Self. Those who have the furthest to go gain the most but this takes time to process. When emerging from Threshold especially when its not voluntary and just happens, there can be initial resistance because the prospect of change is so daunting. Hence there is often a need to peel the outer layers usually of material stuff and other attachments out of the way of the goal. Its been said that;
"Its not what happens to you but what you do with it that counts."

The Incorporation is often the most difficult i.e. holding the vision or following one's myth or bliss. As we will see this is about finding one's true archetype and destiny or as Seligman says being in the flow of one's signature strengths. Being the father of positive Psychology and therefore a scientist he does not speak of Hero's journeys or spiritual practice. The combination of positive psychology, the hero's journey and spiritual practice enhances the power of his principles enormously. 

A regular spiritual practice to keep one on the path and aligned with the intuitions and dreams for your vision is key.

The Ancestors

There are some tips about Incorporation besides the spiritual practice that holds it together. These also support Seligman's teachings that will be in another blog.

A community or Buddhist like sanga of like minded seekers is hugely supportive. Walk the talk (or the aha from the journey,) do not talk the walk. Do not cheapen your vision and put it on the mantel piece for anyone to see and to maybe invalidate or criticize. Let others notice changes in your behavior rather than your speech. Keep your day job - there is no value in going into survival mode. You may need to live out the vision in your spare time. Do not necessarily expect to get paid - volunteer. The journey is a long one and takes time. Be patient. It is ever evolving and changing and may be very different to what you first thought it would be. Beware the "fall" - be careful of losing the mission or the way. Attend to needs rather than wants - simplify - clear the decks! If you cannot change what you do change the way in which you do it. The decision then may be to advance one's spiritual understandings so that one sees things in a new way. Maybe find a Buddhist teacher and a sanga.

This description  of Singing Stone is one of a Native American Vision quest of a spiritual warrior eventually meeting his Ancestors in the place he is meant to be.

As Dogen said;

"When you find your place where you are practice (the work) begins."

 Zen saying s;

Before enlightenment chop wood carry water,

after enlightenment, chop wood carry water (but in a new way of service to others and not oneself.)

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