The Hero's Journey

Script

The room is dark.
The Stages of the Hero's Journey are written on the board
  (Write the three stages in different parts of the room
going "full circle" if possible.)
The projected image of the hero graphic is the only source
of light in the room.

As participants arrive they are asked to observe
the silence and are given:
-- tea light candle of knowledge and wisdom
-- a pencil or pen
-- specially folded paper - a memory window:

This will be private and will not be shared with others.
Think of an intense time in your experience that caused your life to change.
a near-death experience, participation in a high risk sport, a close friend dying, a religious conversion.
Just one experience. The turning point of your life.
In the silence contemplate this experience as if you are watching your own personal, private movie.

Feel free to write notes or draw symbols on this page, your Memory Window, to help you recall this experience.

Instructions for folding the Memory Windows can be found on this page: Amber's Fold
http://www.perfectnow.net/origami/pages/amber.html

The Leader says the following:
Over the next 15 minutes you will be taken on The Hero's Journey. This is a personal trip. You will not be asked to share or discuss it. Please observe the silence. If you have a question please write it down so we do not disturb those around you.

The paper you've been given is a memory window. Please open yours up carefully.
Read and follow the instructions as I light your candle.
These candles symbolize knowledge and wisdom.

The Leader lights a large candle in front and then using a taper, lights each participants candle in turn.

Preparation - The Departure

The Leader says:
We are ready to begin.
Using your memory go back to the experience you choosen.
As each step is highlighted with the leader's candle, a bell or bowl chime is softly struck.

The Ordinary World - Now go back to the day before this experience. The Ordinary World (Use the candle to highlight this on the board, chime the bowl)
- Everything was normal. No surprises.
- Think of how life was before your experience. Jot down symbols or words to help you remember.

Call to Adventure - From this ordinary world you received the Call to Adventure. (highlight item with candle)
Suddenly you were presented with a problem, challenge, or adventure.
Think of that moment. What did you feel? Where you nervous, scared, overwhelmed?
Feel that moment again.

Refuse the Call to Adventure - As you faced your challenge what was your first reaction. Did you embrace this challenge? Most people do not. Most people are overwhelmed, scared, and Refuse the Call to Adventure. Maybe it happened quickly. Maybe it expanded over many days or weeks. Think of your initial response and jot down a symbol or words describing your first reaction to the Call.

Meeting with the Mentor - You are the Hero.
Once you commit to the quest you probably met a guide - for some it is a mentor, for others it is supernatural. Who was the guide on your journey. What one person stands out in your memory that gave you advice, or training, or guided you on your way. Write that person's name down.

Crossing the First Threshold - You have now left the ordinary world. You are now in a special place. Think back and recall when you crossed the threshold into the unknown and possibly dangerous spot where you did not know the rules or your own limits.

Being Engaged - Descent & Initiation

The Road of Trials - Tests, Allies, Enemies - Now you are in the midst of your challenge. You are the Hero. What demons did you have to struggle with? Who were your allies? Who became your enemies?
List some of the trials you faced using just a few words or symbols.

Approach the Innermost Cave - Focus now to the very peak of your challenge. Campbell calls this the Innermost Cave. It is the center of the problem, the place your journey has been leading to. Often the series of trials shows that you do not know the way. This is where you have to come up with a new solution. What happened to you as you reached the Innermost Cave?

Supreme Ordeal - Once inside your Innermost Cave you faced the Supreme Ordeal. It is almost as if all the trials and tests were designed to get you prepared for this moment. What was your Supreme Ordeal? Draw a symbol as you remember this experience.

The Reward (Seeing the Sword) - After you overcame your Supreme Ordeal think back. What was your Reward? Write down the most important reward you earned as you remember how it felt when you acknowledge it.

The Return

The Road Back - But, your Journey is not over yet. And, this is the important part that Joseph Campbell stresses. Every hero must return to the ordinary world. Think back on your journey back to every day life. Did it happen quickly or slowly. How did your body respond? Your mind? Did you physically move from one place to another? Write yourself a note about the Road Back. Slowly bring yourself back towards the present.

Ressurection - Just as you probably refused the Call to Adventure, you probably found it difficult to return to ordinary life. Often a transcendental Hero faces death once again and is reborn like Jesus or Buddha. For some this is trying to achieve the balance between the material world and the spiritual world you are returning from. Think about how you achieved this transition from your adventure.

Return with the Elixir - Mastery leads to freedom. You now have the elixir or "magic solution" of Life. And it is your obligation as a true hero to use it to help everyone in the Ordinary World.

This is the Hero's Journey. This has been your journey.

The Leader says:
Please fold up your Memory Window and put it away somewhere private.
When you are finished blow out your candle.
Once the lights come on you may speak.
While you wait think about what changes you have experienced during the last 30 minutes.

Incorporating the Hero's Journey into your Course Design.

In an open discussion (and with the lights on):
Follow along the journey's steps on the board for each part of the discussion.

Think about a student taking one of your courses. (Or, remember the last course you took.)

1. Describe a student's Call To Adventure? What does it look like? Feel like to them?

2. Do you think they Refuse the Call?

3. Who would be their Mentor or Supernatural power? Who or what else?

4. What is the First Threshold in a course? How could you highlight or make this point significant to your students? What rituals or activities could you have them do?

5. As they take the course what are the trials and tests that they will have to overcome? How might you highlight these making each one a unique challenge. What feedback can you give the student when they succeed with the trial?

6. As each student arrives at the Innermost Cave, this is the time that they may have to change their minds, come up with new solutions, or shift into a new paradigm. This isn't just a capstone project or final test. This is the spot where a big change happens in the students thinking. Can you think of different anecdotal stories describing this experience?

7. What is the biggest life and death part of your course? What Ordeal do your students have to face? And what is the student's reward when they succeed? Are the stakes high enough? Is the reward worthwhile? What else happens besides simply passing or failing a course? Think back to your own experience in courses you've taken.

8. How can you lead your student's back to the Ordinary World?

9. And finally, what elixir do they have as they come back? What activities can you build into your course that will help your students share this elixir with the rest of the world?

The Stages of the Hero's Journey

Departure
- Ordinary world
- Call to Adventure
- Refusal of the Call
- Mentor or Supernatural Aid
- Crossing of the First threshold

Initiation
- The Road of Trials - Tests, Allies, Enemies
- Approach the Innermost Cave
- Supreme Ordeal
- Reward (Seeing the Sword)

Return
- The Road Back
- Ressurection
- Return with the Elixir

These are based on Joseph Campbell's works including The Hero with a Thousand Faces