you are here: the journey > way as metaphor > hero’s journey the hero’s journey People have always told each other stories. An important theme, in all cultures and in all times, is the story of the hero’s journey. For instance: the search for the Holy Grail, or the adventures of Ulysses. Each story is different. On the other hand it appears that underneath all the great stories of heroes of the past there is always a certain “pattern”. (> alongside, left). This pattern also is found in many modern movies about heroes, like “Star Wars”, “The Matrix”, “The Lord of the Rings”. The classical pattern of the hero's journey is, very briefly, as follows. The hero is challenged to step out of everyday life and to search for a "treasure": a greater understanding. After many trials and with unexpected help, the hero finds the treasure and he / she goes back home to share it with others and –in doing so- contributes something substantial. We think the Camino also is such a special journey for many pilgrims: a wonderful experience in itself and a source of inspiration for the next stage of the way (of life), after returning home. Here we will work out the metaphor of the hero’s journey in 7 stages, in connection to the Camino: you are challenged to take to the road > the call you accept the challenge > the departure you encounter the unknown > on the way along the road there are not only “dangers” awaiting, you will also find support, by others (> companions), and in yourself > companions you discover the “treasure”: you know what really is important to you > the arrival you incorporate your experiences into your daily life, also for others > the home coming. So the hero crosses two important thresholds: going on a journey, and coming home. In myths these thresholds are often represented by a gate or bridge, or by the opening of a dark wood or cave. The thresholds are often guarded by impressive watchmen, who represent the doubts of the hero: Do I really want this? Can I do it? Do I dare it?

L’Esprit du Chemin - the hero’s journey

introduction

Esprit-cards

START Camino

on the way 
the other

yourself

arrival

you are here: the journey > way as metaphor > hero’s journey

the hero’s journey

People have always told each other stories. An important theme, in all cultures and in all times, is the story of the hero’s journey. For instance: the search for the Holy Grail, or the adventures of Ulysses.

Each story is different. On the other hand it appears that underneath all the great stories of heroes of the past there is always a certain “pattern”. (> alongside, left). This pattern also is found in many modern movies about heroes, like “Star Wars”, “The Matrix”, “The Lord of the Rings”.

The classical pattern of the hero's journey is, very briefly, as follows. The hero is challenged to step out of everyday life and to search for a "treasure": a greater understanding. After many trials and with unexpected help, the hero finds the treasure and he / she goes back home to share it with others and –in doing so- contributes something substantial.

We think the Camino also is such a special journey for many pilgrims: a wonderful experience in itself and a source of inspiration for the next stage of the way (of life), after returning home.

Here we will work out the metaphor of the hero’s journey in 7 stages, in connection to the Camino:

1.you are challenged to take to the road > the call
2.you accept the challenge > the departure
3.you encounter the unknown > on the way
4.along the road there are not only “dangers” awaiting, you will also find support, by others (> companions), and
5.in yourself > companions
6.you discover the “treasure”: you know what really is important to you > the arrival
7.you incorporate your experiences into your daily life, also for others > the home coming.

So the hero crosses two important thresholds:

going on a journey, and

coming home.

In myths these thresholds are often represented by a gate or bridge, or by the opening of a dark wood or cave. The thresholds are often guarded by impressive watchmen, who represent the doubts of the hero: Do I really want this? Can I do it? Do I dare it?

Live your dream, and join us on a journey! OK?

yes > the call

or first make an excursion to:

•the Esprit-cards, and
•START Camino (coming soon)

The knight of the Holy Grail, by Frederick J. Waugh (1912)

The search for the holy grail by Parsifal, one of the knights of King Arthur, is a beautiful metaphor for the life and development of everyone, with its ups and downs. Everybody feels, at times, “sent into the woods” and at times we all have to go through a deep ravine (Par-si-fal literally means: through the valley). But that doesn’t keep us from our quest for our own essence.

“Myths are the reflection of the human soul. They remind us of our capacities, of the divine possibilities of our existence.”

Most of the quotations in “the hero’s journey” come from this book.

Video: the structure of the hero’s journey (= “The Monomyth”), illustrated on the basis of the movie “The Matrix”. Mentioning more stages then we do, but -of course- following the same pattern.

The American professor Joseph Campbell has done a lot of research about the great, mythical heroic journeys. He has shown, that they can still inspire us so much because they contain ancient insights, which are transmitted in catching images. One of his most famous books is: “The hero with a thousand faces” (1949). With that title he underlined that those heroes and insights where it is true universal, but that each human being makes his or her own, unique journey through life, in search of himself or herself and his or her role in society and in the world.

the journey - stages