The Hero’s Journey, a narrative framework popularized by Joseph Campbell, describes the archetypal path of transformation and personal growth. In this journey, the hero moves from the familiar world into the unknown, faces trials, gains new insights, and returns transformed.
In the Hero’s Journey, the Ordinary World is where the story begins—a place of familiarity and comfort, yet also one marked by dissatisfaction or a longing for something more. For individuals in traditional 12-step recovery programs, this phase represents life
In the Hero’s Journey, The Call to Adventure is the moment that sparks the hero’s transformation, inviting them to leave the safety of their ordinary world and embark on a journey into the unknown. For individuals in traditional 12-step recovery
In the Hero’s Journey, the Refusal of the Call is a pivotal stage, where the hero, faced with the opportunity for transformation, hesitates or even outright refuses to embark on the journey. This moment is marked by fear, doubt, and
In the Hero’s Journey, the Meeting the Mentor stage is when the hero, having wrestled with the fears and uncertainties of the call, encounters a guide or mentor who provides wisdom, support, and encouragement. This mentor helps the hero navigate
In the Hero’s Journey, Crossing the Threshold marks the moment when the hero leaves behind the comfort and safety of the familiar world and steps into the unknown, committing to the adventure ahead. This stage is critical, as it represents
Once the hero crosses the threshold into the unknown, they encounter tests, allies, and adversaries along the way. For someone in a traditional 12-step recovery program who is exploring the integration of psychedelics into their healing journey, this stage can
In the Hero’s Journey, The Approach to the Inmost Cave is a stage where the hero comes face-to-face with their deepest fears and the core of their personal struggles. This moment occurs before the most challenging part of the journey—the
In the Hero’s Journey, The Ordeal is the stage where the hero faces their greatest test—a life-altering challenge that forces them to confront their deepest fears and emerge transformed. This stage is often the most intense, representing the climax of
In the Hero’s Journey, The Reward represents the moment of triumph after the hero has survived the intense challenge of the Ordeal. It is the stage where the hero emerges with newfound wisdom, strength, or treasure—gifts that will aid them
In the Hero’s Journey, The Road Back marks the stage where the hero, having gained wisdom or treasure from their ordeal, begins the journey home. This is not a return to the old life as it was, but rather a
In the Hero’s Journey, The Resurrection represents the hero’s final and most profound transformation. Having faced death or deep crisis in the Ordeal and gained insight during the Reward, the hero now returns to the world with newfound strength and