Reflecting on the Hero's Journey: A Personal Perspective on Life's Quest
This evening, I found myself immersed in the wisdom of Joseph Campbell, viewing his interviews from the lens of my aging self. As I listened, I couldn't help but reflect on the hero's journey and how it resonated with my own checkered life. While I was once a young PhD when these interviews were conducted, I now find myself classified as an aging man, offering a unique perspective on the timeless narrative.
The Hero's Journey: A Quest for Answers
In every human group, there exists a hero. This hero is an individual who, for some reason, feels a calling that most people in their world do not follow. It is this calling that propels them on a journey, a quest for answers to their deepest questions about life.
The hero's journey often entails leaving behind their primary group and venturing into unfamiliar territories. They seek to study other groups, learn from mystics, and connect with the true teachers of God. In some cases, the hero's journey involves an inward exploration, a deep dive into self-discovery.
Embracing the Call: My Personal Reflection
As I reflect on my own life, I can't help but see the parallels with the hero's journey. There have been moments when I felt a calling, a yearning to explore beyond the confines of my comfort zone. These moments pushed me to seek answers and embark on my own quest for meaning.
Like the hero, I too had to leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown. I sought knowledge and wisdom from various sources, studying different cultures, philosophies, and belief systems. Through these encounters, I gained a deeper understanding of the world and my place within it.
The Challenges Along the Way
No hero's journey is without its fair share of challenges. The path is often riddled with obstacles, both external and internal. These challenges test the hero's resolve, forcing them to confront their fears and limitations.
Throughout my own journey, I encountered numerous hurdles. There were moments of doubt, moments when I questioned the validity of my quest. But it was during these challenging times that I discovered my inner strength and resilience.
It is through adversity that the hero grows, evolving into a stronger and wiser version of themselves. Each obstacle becomes an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
The Ultimate Revelation
At the heart of every hero's journey lies the ultimate revelation. This revelation is the culmination of all the trials and tribulations faced along the way. It is the answer to the hero's deepest questions, the realization of their purpose.
For me, the ultimate revelation came in the form of self-acceptance and understanding. Through my journey, I learned to embrace my imperfections and appreciate the beauty of my unique path. I discovered that the answers I sought were not external, but within myself.
The hero's journey, in all its variations, teaches us that life is a quest for meaning and purpose. It reminds us that we are all heroes in our own right, capable of embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Conclusion
Listening to Joseph Campbell's insights on the hero's journey has provided me with a renewed perspective on my own life. It has reminded me of the importance of embracing the call, facing challenges head-on, and seeking the ultimate revelation.
As I continue on my own journey, I am grateful for the lessons learned and the wisdom gained. The hero's journey is not a linear path but a continuous cycle of growth and transformation. And as an aging man, I am reminded that the journey never truly ends.
After UCLA College of Letters where I obtained PhD is Philosophy, Psychology and Religion I got a teaching job at the University. I felt uneasy teaching. I applied for a job in the mental health field; I got many offers and within two years was running the mental health center where I worked, supervising psychologists and psychiatrists who have been in that field for many decades.
Eventually, I felt bored by the job (of been executive director...I was barely thirty two years old when I was the executive director of the largest mental health agency in the city where I lived) and quit and tried doing other things.
Nothing I tried worked out for me. So, I did other executive director jobs but eventually wound up quitting and returning to college teaching until I felt that teaching is too easy for me; I felt unchallenged being a college professor (I filled my time writing on assorted subjects that interested me).
Eventually, I realized that I have a destiny and fate. My normal routine is to read until I go to sleep (although there is a huge TV in the house, I seldom watch it) and get up around 5 AM, think for a while, and then go to my computer and type the thoughts that I just had in my sleep.