Anthropologist Adolph Bastian (1826-1905) was the first to propose the idea that myths from all over the world seem to be built from the same elements. Psychiatrist Carl Yung (1875-1961) named these ideas as "archetypes", building blocks of a collective unconscious. In other words everyone had the same basic subconscious model or map of what a "hero" is, or a "mentor" or a "quest".

Joseph Campbell pointed out that, the hero's journey is the jopurney of any of us who elect or are called to search for our true identity. He used Carl Jung's idea of archetypes to map out the underlying structure behind religion and myth. He demonstrates that all stories have the same pattern which he named the "Hero's Journey" or the "monomyth". Religions are containers for the essential truth. They are the clam - not the pearl.

"To find your own way is to follow your own bliss. This involves analysis, watching yourself and seeing where the real deep bliss is - not the quick little excitement, but the real, deep, life fulfilling bliss." Joseph Campbell

You can trace the elements of the Hero's Journey to be found in the films "Star Wars" and "The Matrix" by visiting the website http://www.jitterbug.com/origins/myth.html Other examples are "The Simpsons", "Groundhog Day", "Labyrinth", "Field of Dreams" and "The Lion King".

Eight elements in the Hero's Journey as defined by Reg Harris

1. The Call - when you feel compelled to take action
2. The Initiation - crossing the threshold to take the plunge
3. The Challenges - being tested to overcome barriers
4. The Resolve - surrendering yourself to what's inevitable
5. The Transformation - experiencing a new way of being
6. The Revelation - discovering fundamental truths
6. The Atonement - finding new meaning in your life
7. The Return - applying the lessons learned and living anew

CLICK HERE - to go to graphic image and explanation
CLICK HERE - to go to a guide to the literature

Reg Harris interpret's a person's life as a Hero's Journey. The separation from a familiar world and being initiated into a new one, where the old ways of thinking and acting are altered or eliminated to achieve a new level of consciousness, skill or freedom. On returning there is renewed confidence, perception and capability with all the respect, rights and priveleges that the new status conveys. These are rites of passage.

In a sense, every sustainable change we make creates a new pattern of experience and a new reality. Every love lost, every birth or death, every new job, school or relationship forces us to shift our thinking and perspective on life and doing something different as a result.

Understanding the patterns can open us up to pure knowledge and self realisation. We then become stronger and more capable as we achieve wisdom, growth and independence to become the peole we want to be and at one with the world around us.

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