Life often feels like an endless game, a labyrinthine dance of energies where fear and attachment play the leading roles. These two specters haunt our narratives, casting long shadows that obscure our inherent potentials. Yet, the most intriguing part of this game is that the more we fear losing, the more that worry weaves itself into our narrative. This cycle can occupy vast expanses of our lives, distorting our story and preventing our authentic selves from emerging.
The ancient Hermetic text, the Kybalion, states: “Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites.” This principle reflects the duality within us, the tension between fear and courage, attachment and freedom. Yet, this is not a battle to be won but a dance to be experienced. It’s in this dance that we find the essence of our Hero’s Journey.
Renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell, who articulated the concept of the Hero’s Journey, stated, “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of our journey, where letting go of fear and attachment is the key to unlocking our true potential.
In the Hero’s Journey, the ‘Call to Adventure’ is often a crisis or a sudden realization. As Campbell said, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” Our fears and attachments are these caves. It is by stepping into them, by acknowledging and then releasing these disruptive energies, that we initiate our journey of self-realisation.
The ensuing ‘Road of Trials’ is filled with challenges that test our resolve. It is during this stage that life, in its infinite wisdom, instigates crises, blowing a hole in the walls of our self-erected prisons. Yet, these crises are not punishments but portals through which the light of self-awareness can enter. They are opportunities for growth, for transformation, and for the unfolding of our authentic selves.
The ‘Ultimate Boon’ is the attainment of our true potential. By releasing our fears and attachments, we allow our true narrative to unfold. As Campbell put it, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” We become the heroes of our story, no longer controlled by fear and attachment, but steering our journey with courage and authenticity.
The final stage of the journey, ‘The Return,’ signifies the hero’s transformation. Having navigated the labyrinth, faced their fears, and let go of their attachments, the hero returns with newfound knowledge and wisdom. They are ready to share their insights and experiences, their personal transformation reflecting the universal journey towards self-realisation.
In essence, the endless game of life, with its fear, attachment, and crises, mirrors the Hero’s Journey. It is not a trap but a transformative voyage. It’s an invitation to experience and explore the confluence of energies within us, to release what no longer serves us, and to embrace our authentic selves. After all, we are not just players in the game of life; we are the heroes of our own journey. Let’s embark on our path with courage, love, and authenticity, and let the magic of our true story unfold.