Journey of the Hero

The psychology of the hero's journey is a concept that applies the narrative framework of a hero's journey to personal development and psychological well-being. This framework, popularised by mythologist Joseph Campbell, is often referred to as the "monomyth" and is a common story structure found in many ancient myths and modern narratives.

In its most basic form, the hero's journey involves a protagonist who experiences a change in setting or life circumstances (shift), embarks on a goal-oriented quest, encounters friends and mentors (allies), faces obstacles (challenges), triumphs, and grows from the experience (transformation), enabling them to return home and benefit their community (legacy).

Applying this framework to one's life can have significant psychological benefits. Research suggests that viewing one's life as a hero's journey is associated with enhanced well-being, greater life satisfaction, a feeling of flourishing, and reduced depression. This perspective can provide a sense of meaning and purpose, regardless of how heroic or adventurous one's life may seem.

Moreover, the hero's journey narrative can be combined with modern psychological models, such as Martin Seligman's PERMA model from positive psychology, to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding human well-being and fulfillment. The PERMA model identifies five essential elements for lasting well-being: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

In conclusion, the psychology of the hero's journey offers a pathway to greater life meaning by reframing personal experiences and challenges as part of a transformative journey.

1. Ordinary World

This is where the Hero's exists before his present story begins, oblivious of the adventures to come. It's his safe place. His everyday life where we learn crucial details about our Hero, his true nature, capabilities and outlook on life. This anchors the Hero as a human, just like you and me, and makes it easier for us to identify with him and hence later, empathise with his plight.

2. Call To Adventure

The Hero's adventure begins when he receives a call to action, such as a direct threat to his safety, his family, his way of life or to the peace of the community in which he lives. It may not be as dramatic as a gunshot, but simply a phone call or conversation but whatever the call is, and however it manifests itself, it ultimately disrupts the comfort of the Hero's Ordinary World and presents a challenge or quest that must be undertaken.

3. Refusal Of The Call

Although the Hero may be eager to accept the quest, at this stage he will have fears that need overcoming. Second thoughts or even deep personal doubts as to whether or not he is up to the challenge. When this happens, the Hero will refuse the call and as a result may suffer somehow. The problem he faces may seem to much to handle and the comfort of home far more attractive than the perilous road ahead. This would also be our own response and once again helps us bond further with the reluctant Hero.

4. Meeting The Mentor

At this crucial turning point where the Hero desperately needs guidance he meets a mentor figure who gives him something he needs. He could be given an object of great importance, insight into the dilemma he faces, wise advice, practical training or even self-confidence. Whatever the mentor provides the Hero with it serves to dispel his doubts and fears and give him the strength and courage to begin his quest.

5. Crossing The Threshold

The Hero is now ready to act upon his call to adventure and truly begin his quest, whether it be physical, spiritual or emotional. He may go willingly or he may be pushed, but either way he finally crosses the threshold between the world he is familiar with and that which he is not. It may be leaving home for the first time in his life or just doing something he has always been scared to do. However the threshold presents itself, this action signifies the Hero's commitment to his journey an whatever it may have in store for him.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies

Now finally out of his comfort zone the Hero is confronted with an ever more difficult series of challenges that test him in a variety of ways. Obstacles are thrown across his path; whether they be physical hurdles or people bent on thwarting his progress, the Hero must overcome each challenge he is presented with on the journey towards his ultimate goal.

The Hero needs to find out who can be trusted and who can't. He may earn allies and meet enemies who will, each in their own way, help prepare him for the greater ordeals yet to come. This is the stage where his skills and/or powers are tested and every obstacle that he faces helps us gain a deeper insight into his character and ultimately identify with him even more.

7. Approach To The Inmost Cave

The inmost cave may represent many things in the Hero's story such as an actual location in which lies a terrible danger or an inner conflict which up until now the Hero has not had to face. As the Hero approaches the cave he must make final preparations before taking that final leap into the great unknown.

At the threshold to the inmost cave the Hero may once again face some of the doubts and fears that first surfaced upon his call to adventure. He may need some time to reflect upon his journey and the treacherous road ahead in order to find the courage to continue. This brief respite helps the audience understand the magnitude of the ordeal that awaits the Hero and escalates the tension in anticipation of his ultimate test.

8. Ordeal

The Supreme Ordeal may be a dangerous physical test or a deep inner crisis that the Hero must face in order to survive or for the world in which the Hero lives to continue to exist. Whether it be facing his greatest fear or most deadly foe, the Hero must draw upon all of his skills and his experiences gathered upon the path to the inmost cave in order to overcome his most difficulty challenge.

Only through some form of "death" can the Hero be reborn, experiencing a metaphorical resurrection that somehow grants him greater power or insight necessary in order to fulfill his destiny or reach his journey's end. This is the high-point of the Hero's story and where everything he holds dear is put on the line. If he fails, he will either die or life as he knows it will never be the same again.

9. Reward (Seizing The Sword)

After defeating the enemy, surviving death and finally overcoming his greatest personal challenge, the Hero is ultimately transformed into a new state, emerging from battle as a stronger person and often with a prize.

The Reward may come in many forms: an object of great importance or power, a secret, greater knowledge or insight, or even reconciliation with a loved one or ally. Whatever the treasure, which may well facilitate his return to the Ordinary World, the Hero must quickly put celebrations aside and prepare for the last leg of his journey.

10. The Road Back

This stage in the Hero's journey represents a reverse echo of the Call to Adventure in which the Hero had to cross the first threshold. Now he must return home with his reward but this time the anticipation of danger is replaced with that of acclaim and perhaps vindication, absolution or even exoneration.

But the Hero's journey is not yet over and he may still need one last push back into the Ordinary World. The moment before the Hero finally commits to the last stage of his journey may be a moment in which he must choose between his own personal objective and that of a Higher Cause.

11. Resurrection

This is the climax in which the Hero must have his final and most dangerous encounter with death. The final battle also represents something far greater than the Hero's own existence with its outcome having far-reaching consequences to his Ordinary World and the lives of those he left behind.

If he fails, others will suffer and this not only places more weight upon his shoulders but in a movie, grips the audience so that they too feel part of the conflict and share the Hero's hopes, fears and trepidation. Ultimately the Hero will succeed, destroy his enemy and emerge from battle cleansed and reborn.

12. Return With The Elixir

This is the final stage of the Hero's journey in which he returns home to his Ordinary World a changed man. He will have grown as a person, learned many things, faced many terrible dangers and even death but now looks forward to the start of a new life. His return may bring fresh hope to those he left behind, a direct solution to their problems or perhaps a new perspective for everyone to consider.

The final reward that he obtains may be literal or metaphoric. It could be a cause for celebration, self-realisation or an end to strife, but whatever it is it represents three things: change, success and proof of his journey. The return home also signals the need for resolution for the story's other key players. The Hero's doubters will be ostracised, his enemies punished and his allies rewarded. Ultimately the Hero will return to where he started but things will clearly never be the same again.

A real-life example of a hero's journey could be the story of Malala Yousafzai* Here's a brief overview of her journey following the stages of Joseph Campbell's monomyth, or the hero's journey:

1. Ordinary World: Malala was born and raised in Mingora, Pakistan. She lived a relatively normal life, attending school and enjoying time with her family.

2. Call to Adventure: The Taliban took control of Swat Valley, where Malala lived, and banned girls from attending school. Malala, passionate about education, was compelled to take action.

3. Refusal of the Call: Initially, Malala and her family were terrified of the Taliban's threats, but she decided she couldn't stay silent.

4. Meeting the Mentor: Malala's father, an education advocate himself, encouraged her to stand up for her rights.

5. Crossing the Threshold: Malala started blogging for the BBC about life under the Taliban, using a pseudonym to protect her identity.

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies: Malala and her father received international recognition for their efforts, but also threats from the Taliban.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave: In 2012, Malala was shot by a Taliban gunman in an assassination attempt due to her activism.

8. Ordeal: Malala was critically injured but survived the attack. She was flown to the UK for treatment.

9. Reward: After recovering, Malala became an even more vocal advocate for girls' education, gaining international support.

10. The Road Back: Malala and her family relocated to the UK, where she continued her education and advocacy work.

11. Resurrection: In 2014, at age 17, Malala became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

12. Return with the Elixir: Malala continues to fight for girls' education worldwide through the Malala Fund, inspiring millions with her courage and determination.

This is a simplified version of her journey, but it shows how the hero's journey framework can apply to real-life figures. Malala's story is a powerful example of how ordinary individuals can become heroes through their actions and experiences. Please note that everyone's "Hero's Journey" will look different based on their unique experiences and challenges.

Aside from Star Wars! Several Disney movies follow the structure of the hero's journey. Here are a few examples:

1. The Lion King: Simba's journey from the Pride Lands, through self-doubt and exile, to his return and ascension to the throne follows the hero's journey narrative structure.

2. Mulan: Mulan's journey from her ordinary world, through her transformation into a soldier and her heroic deeds, to her return home also follows the hero's journey.

3. Hercules: This Disney classic literally follows a hero's journey. Hercules' journey from being a demigod in the ordinary world, through his trials and tribulations to become a true hero, to his final return to Mount Olympus fits the hero's journey structure.

These movies showcase the hero's journey in their narratives, providing viewers with compelling stories of growth, adventure, and transformation. Each character faces unique challenges and experiences that shape them into the heroes they become by the end of their journeys.

Please note that while these movies follow the hero's journey structure, they may not include every stage outlined by Joseph Campbell in his monomyth theory. The stages included and their interpretations can vary based on the unique narrative of each movie.