I think we are all on a hero’s journey.
As Joseph Campbell has written, the archetypal hero’s journey is a recognizable path in movies, novels and screenplays.
In this paradigm, the individual is called to adventure, crosses a threshold that moves to the unknown, has to overcome many challenges and temptations, has a revelation or epiphany, transforms, atones for his/her previous choices and returns as a hero.
I think our hero’s journey is within, not a journey out.
We are seeking wholeness.
We are seeking meaning and fulfillment.
Where does this lie?
I think it only exists within each of us.
A journey to ourselves.
Each of us faces challenges and temptation, and learn that acquiring more, feeling superior, being in competition and battling is never fulfilling.
No matter how much we achieve or have, there is something missing.
What is it? I think it is ourselves.
Not the superficial reflection in the mirror, but our real selves that underlies the reflection.
The real us that allows the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the mind to think, the body to breath and live.The poet and philosopher Rumi said:
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase ‘each other’ doesn’t make any sense.”
In addition, the French philosopher and priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said:
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
I think these two wise men highlight our spiritual roots and I believe that is our journey – to to come full circle from our temporary earthly existence to recognize our eternal spirit.
The poet T.S. Eliot said, “We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”
This is our hero’s journey to fulfillment and wholeness.