Many years ago, I was introduced to the work of Joseph Campbell. Joseph was a mythologist and theologian. He studied the myths and stories that passed from generation to generation and in the religious texts too.
The book A Hero of a Thousand Faces describes how within myths and stories, there are several commonalities. Especially when the story is regarding a Hero or a figure who has to embark on an adventure.
There are always common stages in the story, which repeat
1- The ordinary world – this is the world which the Hero inhabits at the start, and usually, the Hero is not happy with the current situation.
2- Call to adventure – this is when something occurs to cause the Hero to embark on a change or to take up a challenge.
3- The refusal of the call – The Hero is reluctant to take up the journey and has doubts.
4- Meeting, a mentor – Hero, meets a guide or mentor who offers advice and help.
5- Crossing the threshold into the special world into and undertaking the challenge.
6- Tests and approach into a cave and the ordeal – this involves the problems and difficulties along the way, and in some cases, there is a great challenge to overcome “The Ordeal.”
7- The Road back and return to the world with an elixir. – The Hero overcomes the problem and returns to the ordinary world although he or she is returning with some reward which has changed them in some way, usually for the better.
These stages can be recognized in many modern films and stories of our time they resonate with us on a deep level because it is what all of us go through when we embark on any challenge or endeavour.
so when you next look at your goals ahead or look at the challenges you are currently facing it is worth thinking about where you are in the stage of the hero’s journey and where you
have to go next.