Stage Nine-The Reward: Gaining Insight and Healing After the Ordeal

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 their continued journey. For individuals in traditional 12-step recovery programs who have integrated psychedelics into their healing journey, The Reward is the profound insight, emotional healing, and renewed sense of purpose that follows the transformative experience of confronting their deepest fears and traumas.

This stage is not simply about surviving the psychedelic journey, but about what the individual gains as a result of their willingness to face the darkest parts of themselves. It is a moment of realization, clarity, and personal empowerment where they come to understand more deeply who they are and how they can continue on their recovery path.

In this article, we explore The Reward stage for someone in recovery who has undergone a psychedelic experience. We will discuss the nature of the reward, the types of insights and healing that emerge, and how this newfound understanding can transform the individual’s relationship to their recovery and their life.

What Is the Reward?

The Reward represents the treasure that the hero brings back from their journey. In the context of recovery and psychedelic healing, this reward often comes in the form of:

• Emotional Healing: The individual may experience a release of long-repressed trauma or emotional pain, leading to a sense of emotional freedom and lightness.
• New Insights: Profound realizations about the self, one’s past, or the nature of addiction often emerge. These insights can help the individual make sense of their struggles and find new ways to approach their recovery.
• Spiritual Awakening: Many people report a deep sense of spiritual connection during or after a psychedelic journey. This might involve a greater sense of unity with the world, a deeper connection to a higher power, or a new understanding of one’s purpose in life.
• Increased Self-Awareness: The reward often includes a greater understanding of one’s inner world, emotions, and behaviors. This self-awareness allows the individual to approach their recovery from a place of greater compassion and clarity.

The reward is not just a mental or intellectual insight—it is often deeply felt, transformative, and life-changing. It marks a shift in how the individual sees themselves, their recovery, and the world around them.

Emotional Healing: Letting Go of Past Trauma

One of the most profound rewards that individuals in recovery often experience after a psychedelic journey is emotional healing. During the Ordeal, many people confront unresolved trauma, grief, or pain that may have been driving their addiction. This confrontation can be intense and emotionally overwhelming, but it is also a gateway to healing.

After moving through the Ordeal, the individual often experiences a release—a sense that the emotional weight they have been carrying has been lifted. This emotional healing can manifest in several ways:

• Relief from guilt or shame: Many people in recovery struggle with feelings of guilt and shame related to their addiction. After the Ordeal, they may experience a profound release from these emotions, recognizing that they no longer need to define themselves by their past mistakes.
• Forgiveness: The psychedelic experience can lead to feelings of forgiveness, both toward oneself and others. This forgiveness allows the individual to let go of resentment and bitterness, freeing them to move forward in their recovery with greater peace.
• Healing from trauma: For those who have experienced trauma, the reward often involves processing and releasing the emotional pain associated with those experiences. This can lead to a sense of closure and resolution, allowing the individual to feel more whole and complete.

The emotional healing gained during this stage is often one of the most significant aspects of the reward. It allows the individual to move through the world with a lighter heart and a greater sense of emotional resilience.

New Insights and Clarity: Understanding the Self and the Journey

Alongside emotional healing, new insights are a central part of the reward. These insights can take many forms, but they are often related to the individual’s understanding of themselves, their addiction, and their recovery journey. The insights gained during a psychedelic journey are often profound, offering a new perspective on life and the self.

Some common insights might include:

• Understanding the root of addiction: Many individuals in recovery come to understand that their addiction was not simply a destructive behavior but a coping mechanism for deeper emotional pain or trauma. This realization can help them approach their recovery with greater compassion and self-awareness.
• Recognizing patterns: Psychedelics often reveal patterns of behavior or thought that the individual was previously unaware of. This might include recognizing self-sabotaging behaviors or unhealthy relationships that need to be addressed.
• New perspectives on life: The insights gained during a psychedelic journey can shift the individual’s perspective on life, helping them see things in a new light. This might involve a greater appreciation for the present moment, a deeper connection to loved ones, or a renewed sense of purpose.

These insights are often accompanied by a sense of clarity—a feeling that the individual now understands themselves and their journey in a way they didn’t before. This clarity can provide a powerful foundation for continued healing and growth.

Spiritual Awakening: A Deeper Connection to the Self and the Universe

For many individuals, the reward of a psychedelic journey includes a spiritual awakening. Psychedelics are known for their ability to open the door to mystical or spiritual experiences, and for those in recovery, these experiences can be profoundly healing.

A spiritual awakening might involve:

• Connection to a higher power: Many people report feeling a deep sense of connection to a higher power during a psychedelic journey. This connection can bring comfort, reassurance, and a sense that they are not alone in their recovery journey.
• Oneness with the universe: Psychedelics often dissolve the boundaries between the self and the world, leading to a feeling of oneness with the universe. This experience can foster a sense of unity and interconnectedness, helping the individual feel more connected to the world around them.
• Renewed sense of purpose: The spiritual insights gained during a psychedelic journey can help individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives. This might involve a deeper understanding of their place in the world or a renewed commitment to their recovery and personal growth.

This spiritual awakening is often one of the most life-changing aspects of the reward. It allows the individual to feel connected to something greater than themselves and provides a source of strength and guidance as they continue their recovery.

Increased Self-Awareness: A New Relationship with Recovery

Finally, increased self-awareness is a key part of the reward. After the Ordeal, the individual often emerges with a greater understanding of their inner world—their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This self-awareness allows them to approach their recovery with more clarity and intention.

Increased self-awareness might involve:

• Recognizing triggers: The individual may gain a deeper understanding of what triggers their cravings or addictive behaviors. This awareness allows them to create strategies for avoiding or managing those triggers in the future.
• Embracing self-compassion: Many individuals in recovery struggle with self-criticism and judgment. After the Ordeal, they may develop a greater sense of self-compassion, recognizing that healing is a process and that they are worthy of love and forgiveness.
• Shifting perspectives on sobriety: The insights gained during the psychedelic journey can lead to a shift in how the individual views sobriety. They may come to see it not as a restriction but as a choice that supports their healing and growth.

This increased self-awareness is a powerful tool for continued recovery. It allows the individual to approach their healing journey with greater intention, clarity, and compassion.

Integration: Making the Reward Last

While the reward gained from the psychedelic journey is profound, it is essential that the individual takes time to integrate these insights and experiences into their everyday life. Without integration, the reward can fade, leaving the individual feeling disconnected from the experience.

Integration involves reflecting on the insights and healing gained during the journey, discussing them with trusted guides or therapists, and finding practical ways to apply them to daily life. For example, an individual might begin a new spiritual practice, set new goals for their recovery, or seek out additional therapy to continue processing their emotions.

The reward is not just a one-time gift—it is something that must be nurtured and applied in everyday life. By integrating the insights and healing gained during the journey, the individual can ensure that the reward has a lasting impact on their recovery and their personal growth.

The Reward as a Catalyst for Growth

The Reward is a pivotal stage in the Hero’s Journey, and for individuals in recovery exploring psychedelics, it represents the profound insights, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening that follow the intense challenge of the Ordeal. This stage is marked by a sense of clarity, renewal, and transformation as the individual gains a deeper understanding of themselves and their recovery journey.

Whether it involves emotional release, new insights, spiritual connection, or increased self-awareness, the reward is a powerful catalyst for continued growth and healing. It provides the individual with the tools and wisdom they need to move forward in their recovery with a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment.

By integrating the rewards of the psychedelic journey into everyday life, individuals in recovery can ensure that the insights and healing they have gained continue to support their journey of transformation and personal growth.