Siddhartha Gautama

The Hero’s Journey What’s in it for you?

What is the Hero’s Journey? It is the archetype (paradigm) of all human experience through major life transitions, particularly the transition from adolescence into adulthood. It is the archetype (paradigm) of all human experience through major life transitions, particularly the transition from adolescence into adulthood.

Individuation (term, coined by Carl Jung) It is the process of the development of the self, achieved by resolving the conflicts arising at life’s transitional stages, in particular the transition from adolescence to adulthood (term, coined by Carl Jung) It is the process of the development of the self, achieved by resolving the conflicts arising at life’s transitional stages, in particular the transition from adolescence to adulthood

Hero’s Journey - 3 Basic Elements  Transformation (confronting Shadow)  Transformation (confronting Shadow)  Return (to Community)  Return (to Community)  Separation (after Call)  Separation (after Call)

The Pattern of the Quest Threshold The KnownThe UnknownThe Known Challenges Return at a Higher Level

Harry Potter?  Recall from Book 7 (those who read it) the steps in the Hero’s Journey Harry fulfilled. Identify a time he journeyed into the unknown, faced big challenges/ was transformed and returned to the community (as a hero!)

Siddhartha Gautama

Why was Prince Siddhartha unhappy, even though he had everything? Siddhartha’s Journey

CALL - What was the goal of Siddhartha’s quest? Challenge/ TEMPTATION - What was Mara’s argument? RETURN - What was Siddhartha’s gift?

“The Buddha’s Journey” - Stages Siddhartha’s life before Call His Call to Adventure Threshold of Adventure; Guardians Challenges and Temptations Helpers; Mentor Abyss Revelation

The Hero Journey chart

3 Basic Elements:  Transformation/ Initiation (confronting Shadow)  Transformation/ Initiation (confronting Shadow)  Revelation & Return (to Community)  Revelation & Return (to Community)  Separation (after Call)  Separation (after Call)

Step 1 - Separation (The Call)  Would-be hero senses imbalance or disharmony when she is called.  The Call invites the initiate into the adventure; to cross the Threshold (often assisted by a mentor or guide).  The Call invites the initiate into the adventure; to cross the Threshold (often assisted by a mentor or guide).  The initiate has something taken from her, her family or her society and her quest is to reclaim it (senses something is lacking in her life and must find what’s missing).

Step 2- Transformation & Initiation  Initiate begins the journey into the unknown. On the voyage she goes deeper into the unknown; requires risk-taking.  On the journey the initiate faces a series of challenges (temptations?) By meeting these successfully, over time, she is transformed.  These challenges reflect the initiate’s needs and fears and require her to face ‘the dark side’ in the Abyss.  These challenges reflect the initiate’s needs and fears and require her to face ‘the dark side’ in the Abyss.

Step 2- Initiation & Transformation  In this part of the journey the child moves from dependence to independence. Some do not succeed and retreat temporarily.  When she reaches the Abyss, the initiate faces the greatest challenge of the journey; must surrender self completely and face fears alone.  Here, facing the dark side, is where she must “slay the dragon.”

Step 3 - Revelation and Return  After overcoming fears, transformation becomes complete.  Transformation: From fear to courage From ignorance to enlightenment Dependency to independence and personal power  Transformation: From fear to courage From ignorance to enlightenment Dependency to independence and personal power  Atonement: Initiate becomes at-one with her new self.

Step 3 - Revelation and Return  Transformation (through “crisis”) has brought the initiate into harmony with life and the world. In a real sense she has been “reborn.”  Revelation = Gift received (i.e., new level of skill and awareness)  Christian message: Die to ourselves so that we might be “born again.”

The Call Refused ? “…If we turn away and oppose these forces of life, we push them deep into the unconscious. From here these gods have a great deal of power. To realize themselves in human consciousness, these gods will knock, in the shape of crises, at the door of our awareness.” - Friedemann Wieland, The Journey of the Hero “…If we turn away and oppose these forces of life, we push them deep into the unconscious. From here these gods have a great deal of power. To realize themselves in human consciousness, these gods will knock, in the shape of crises, at the door of our awareness.” - Friedemann Wieland, The Journey of the Hero

Facing the Known  What is your “Call to Adventure?” (identify what excites you about your transition into college)  What is your “Call to Adventure?” (identify what excites you about your transition into college)  Are there times when you want to “refuse the Call”?  What do you find assists you in this transition? (mentor? aid?)

The Hero Journey chart

Facing the Unknown  What are your greatest fears about crossing the threshold to college?  Which, if any, of these is your “dragon”?  What can you do to help alleviate these fears?

Call Refused?  When someone refuses the Call, she is refusing her own need to grow.  She is refusing the power and freedom that come with “rebirth.”  The journey/ adventure which would have liberated the hero, giving confidence and power, causes dependence and fear instead.  By rejecting growth, the non-hero surrenders her ability to act.  When someone refuses the Call, she is refusing her own need to grow.  She is refusing the power and freedom that come with “rebirth.”  The journey/ adventure which would have liberated the hero, giving confidence and power, causes dependence and fear instead.  By rejecting growth, the non-hero surrenders her ability to act.

The hero, in living her [his] own life, in being true to herself [himself]; radiates a light by which others may see their own way. - Laurence G. Boldt The hero, in living her [his] own life, in being true to herself [himself]; radiates a light by which others may see their own way. - Laurence G. Boldt

Carpe Diem! Seize the Day!

Philosophers’ Stone The “stone” sought by ancient alchemists which was reputed to turn all other metals into GOLD Believed to grant immortality to the bearer; (e.g., the Holy Grail) Represents Destiny/ Dream/ Mission

Small Group Qs:  What do I see as my life task for the next 4 years?  When will I figure out what I’m going to do with my life?  What do I want to do at this point in my life?  What do I see as my life task for the next 4 years?  When will I figure out what I’m going to do with my life?  What do I want to do at this point in my life?

3 Steps in Walking the Labyrinth 1.Journey inward: Imagine your journey; What is your Call? 2. Transformation and illumination; arrival at the center; acceptance of the call. 3. Revelation and Return

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