The Eight Stages of the Epic Heros Journey

The Eight Stages of the Epic Heros JourneyA.K.A. Your Journey

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2Why study The Heros Journey?It is the pattern of human experienceEvery challenge we face in life is a journeyIt is a process of self discoveryUnderstanding the Journey pattern can help us understand the stories we read, the movies and shows we see, and the experiences that shape our lives.3

The Journey Begins4The Journey is divided into three stages and eight steps:1. Separation (from the known)The CallThe Threshold (with guardians, helpers, and mentor)

52. Initiation (and transformation)The ChallengesThe AbyssThe TransformationThe RevelationThe Atonement63. The Return (to the known world) The Return (with a gift)

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The Call8The Call: The Invitation Into The AdventureThe Call:

offers us the opportunity to face the unknown and gain something of physical or spiritual value

may come boldly as a sudden, traumatic change or in can sneak up on us gradually

9Within this range, the Call takes many forms:We have had something taken away from us, our family, or our society; our quest is to reclaim it

We sense that there is something lacking in our life, and we must find what is missing

10We want to save or restore honor for ourselves, our family, or our country

We realize that something is not permitted to members of our society, and we must win these rights for our people

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The Threshold

12The Threshold: The Jumping Off PointThe Threshold is the interface between the known and the unknown worldIn the known world we feel secure because we know the rules and the landscapeOnce into the unknown world, we enter a land filled with challenges and dangers.13

Threshold Guardians14Threshold GuardiansOften at the Threshold, we encounter people, beings, or situations which block our passage.

Threshold guardians have two functions:15They protect us by keeping us from taking journeys we are unready or unprepared.

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Once we are ready to meet the challenge, they step aside and point the way. To pass the guardian is to make a commitment, to say: Im ready. I can do this.

17Your GuardiansEarly in our lives, our parents function as our threshold guardians. As we get older, our parents job becomes more difficult, protecting and pushing.

18Your GuardiansAs adults, our Threshold guardians are more insidious. They are our fears, doubts, and threatening behaviors.

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Helpers

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Helpers

Helpers provide assistance or directionOften the bring us a divine gift which helps us through the ordeal.

21MentorThe most important helper on the journey, the mentor keeps us focused on our goal and gives us stability.

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The Challenges23The Challenges: journey into the unknownOnce past the Threshold, we begin the journey into the unknown. The voyage can be outward into the physical unknown or inward to a psychological unknown.

24Challenges and TemptationsThe early challenges are simpleBy meeting them successfully, we build maturity, skill, and confidenceAs the journey progresses, the challenges become more difficult, testing us, forcing us to change and grow25

Tempters

26TemptersTry to pull us away from the pathThey use fear, doubt, or distractionThey may pretend to be a friend or counselorThey always strike our greatest weakness

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The Abyss28The Abyss: the greatest challengeWhen we reach the Abyss, we face the greatest challenge on the journeyWe must surrender ourselves completely to the adventureWe must face our fear alone

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Transformation30Transformation: death and rebirthAs we conquer the Abyss and overcome our fears, our transformation becomes completeIt is a moment of death and rebirth: a part of us dies so that a new part can be born

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Revelation32Revelation: changesA sudden, dramatic change in the way we view life.This change in thinking is crucial because it makes us a different person.It usually occurs during or after the Abyss, but sometimes it may lead us into the Abyss33

The Atonement

34The Atonement: onenessAfter we have been transformed, we achieve Atonement, that is we are at-one with our new selfWe have incorporated the changes caused by the journey and are reborn We have harmony with life and the world35

The Return36The Return: Welcome Home!Return to everyday lifeUpon our return, we discover our gift (based on our new skill or awareness)Essence of the return is to contribute to our societyIt may not go smoothly37

What You Have Learned38What have we learned?Journey gives you means for understanding Journey is a pattern that we follow in our own livesOur adventure opens the doors to knowledge and understandingCan help us achieve wisdom, growth, and independence

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