Unfolding of a Collective Hero’s journey

Date: 8 May 2020 | Author: Edina de Jong – Hodzic

Recently I came across a quote from an unknown author about the corona pandemic and I would like to share it with you. ‘Mother Earth has sent us to our rooms to think about what we have done’. This sentence deeply resonated with me. Has humanity crossed a threshold that requires us to deeply reflect about ourselves, our actions, our decisions, our lives, our environment and the world that we have co-created?

Few weeks ago I was on the phone with a friend of mine and she asked me how I felt about the lock-down and I remember answering to her that this ‘new speed of life’ feels more normal to me. The world has slowed down and we’re finally breathing in more harmony with the nature. We have been in a state of heavy doing for too long and we normalised that, just as we normalised overconsumption, unhealthy foods, pollution, disconnection from our bodies, suppression of feelings, greed, conflicts, wars, poverty, poor education, global power imbalance, obsession with materialism etc.

What if this is truly time for humanity to stop and reflect? I know that some of you who are reading this are waiting for everything to go back to the ‘old-normal’. In fact, the ‘old-normal’ is part of our past now. I believe that we have collectively moved into a new reality and this new reality is gently asking us to go inwards and reflect.

If you find yourself in the process of self-reflection or not yet ready to embrace it, you will benefit from understanding ‘The Hero’s Journey’ that was introduced to the public by the American Professor of Literature and mythological researcher Joseph Campbell (1904-1987).
In his lifelong research Campbell discovered many common patterns running through hero myths and stories from around the world. Years of research led Campbell to discover several basic stages that almost every hero-quest goes through (no matter what culture the myth is a part of). I am sharing those steps with you to illustrate that The Hero is not just a Hollywood myth – the Hero is YOU! The Hero’s Journey describes the journey of human growth and transformation.

• In the Ordinary World (pre-pandemic), the Hero (You) has limited awareness of a problem. Ignorance is bliss, perhaps. When the word ‘problem’ is mentioned, it can refer to compromised health, a hidden behavioural pattern that is destructive, unfulfillment about current career, life etc.
• The Hero (You) receives a Call to Adventure. This usually comes in the form of external circumstances. In our today’s world it’s the corona pandemic. There is an increased awareness that something more is desired (more mindful living, more presence, healthier habits, deeper connection with loved ones, more freedom, harmony with nature etc).
• The Hero (You) is initially reluctant, and might even Refuse the Call because you’re reluctant to change. This can manifests itself in flight, fight or freeze strategies that The Hero has developed over it’s lifetime in order to protect self from ‘danger’.
• When The Hero (You) consciously decides to take responsibility for self created reality, the Mentor will appear and guide The Hero on his journey. This could be a stranger, a teacher, a coach, your spouse, your child etc.
• An important change has taken place. You (The Hero) have moved from the Ordinary World into the Special World. You’ve crossed the Threshold and are committing to change.
• You (The Hero) encounter Tests, Allies, and Enemies and begin to experiment with the first bit of change. The tests, allies and enemies often come in the form of others, being it our family members, friends, colleagues, manager etc. They will mirror to us certain behavioural patterns (e.g. victimhood) that we will have to face and transcend within ourselves.
• You (The Hero) have adjusted to the special world and go on to seek your heart in the Inmost Cave and prepare for a big change.
• You (The Hero) endure an Ordeal, attempting a big change. This phase is what psychologists call ‘The Dark Night of the Soul’ where we must acknowledge our worst fears and use all of our skills and wisdom to overcome the challenge. The Hero’s crisis, as frightening as it is, is the only way to victory.
• You (The Hero) take possession of the Reward. You feel the consequence of your attempt – the improvements and setbacks. This could mean that you experience a new level of inner fulfilment and wisdom (improvements) or you might experience for example ‘abandonment’ as some old friendships end (setbacks).
• You (The Hero) take the Road Back and cross over to the Ordinary World. This threshold serves as a rededication to change.
• You (The Hero) use all the lessons learned and experiences from the journey and you transform them into new insights. You experience a Resurrection.
• Now that You (The Hero) have mastered the problem, your transformation is complete and you Return with the Elixir to the Ordinary world. The elixer represents a great treasure or a new understanding to share. This can be love, wisdom, freedom or knowledge. The Hero can now implement change in his daily life and use the lessons of the adventure to heal his / her wounds and inspire others in the Ordinary World.

When I look back at my own Hero’s Journey I realise that it started back in 2014 when me and my husband went on our honeymoon to the beautiful country of Cuba. I remember how this experience raised many life questions in me and awakened something very profound. It took another 2 years for me to reach a deeper level of self-reflection when I gave birth to my son. My experience of becoming a mother has served as my threshold, it allowed me to open to the flow of life. I left my corporate career in 2017 and this was the beginning of a deep self-discovery and unfolding of my Hero’s Journey.

What is unique about our current reality is that through the pandemic we have received a collective ‘Call to Adventure’, our collective opportunity for growth and evolution. Up until now The Hero’s Journey was more or less an individual experience. Today, many people will be experiencing it at the same time. Once we progress on our journey we might fall into the trap of a deep desire to change the world with our new experience. But before we jump off to change and transform the world outside us, we first have to finish changing and transforming the world within us. For the simple reason that our inner world reflects our outer world.
So, how does The Hero in You answer to this ‘Call to Adventure’?

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Rumi (13th century Persian poet)