Episode 80 - Dreaming about the Hero’s Journey

The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Salutations and welcome to episode 80 of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. This episode starts with a question from Danielson about the Hero's Journey - How far must one travel from one's home before it is fair to call the experience a journey? Can simply stepping outside one's door of one's home constitute a journey? Furthermore, can framing the challenge of "getting through" a physical or mental illness as a journey be helpful and empowering? While pouring myself into a number of conversations with different souls, one night, in a dream, an answer (notice I did not say 'THE' answer) presented itself. Listen to hear me share the dream and some tentative thoughts. In the back ground, near the end of the conversation you will notice the sounds of life (birds singing, the pattering of rain, and some other outside sounds). The episode ends with a thread-thought from Danielson about Dawn and the Hero's Journey. T-shirt Idea: Thinking about the meaning of life (Thank-you Danielson - keep on singing) Definitions - words need to mean something:

Journey: Definition: A journey refers to a long and often challenging passage or process, typically involving personal growth, exploration, or achievement of a specific goal. It involves embarking on a quest or undertaking a significant endeavor, which may be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature.

Example: "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. The main character, Bilbo Baggins, goes on a journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Throughout the story, Bilbo encounters numerous obstacles, faces his fears, and undergoes personal transformation, ultimately emerging as a courageous and self-assured individual.

Trip: Definition: A trip refers to a relatively short excursion or voyage taken for pleasure, leisure, or business purposes. It often involves visiting a specific destination or engaging in a specific activity, and is typically focused on enjoyment, relaxation, or gaining new experiences.

Example: "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. The protagonist embarks on a trip across Italy, India, and Indonesia after a difficult divorce. The trip is centered around self-discovery, healing, and finding joy in life again. Through the various destinations and encounters along the way, the main character explores different cultures, indulges in culinary delights, and explores her spirituality.

Vacation: Definition: A vacation refers to a period of time when an individual or a group takes a break from work or daily routines to relax, unwind, and engage in leisure activities. It often involves traveling to a different location or engaging in activities that bring pleasure and enjoyment.

Example: "The Beach" by Alex Garland. The protagonist, Richard, takes a vacation to a secluded and supposedly idyllic beach in Thailand. However, as the story progresses, the vacation turns into a thrilling and unsettling experience as the characters confront challenges and conflicts in their pursuit of an idyllic paradise.

Mission: Definition: A mission refers to a specific task, duty, or purpose assigned to an individual or a group, typically with a sense of importance, responsibility, or urgency. It often involves striving to achieve a particular objective or goal and may require dedication, commitment, and a clear sense of purpose.

Example: "The Martian" by Andy Weir. The main character, astronaut Mark Watney, is left stranded on Mars after his crew mistakenly believes he died during a mission. The story follows Watney's mission to survive, overcome numerous obstacles, and find a way to communicate with Earth to ensure his rescue. His determination and resourcefulness in the face of extreme challenges exemplify the essence of a mission.

Regarding the relationship between the word "journey" and Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey, it is important to note that Campbell's work focuses on the underlying structure of myths and stories across cultures. The Hero's Journey is a narrative pattern that involves a hero undertaking an adventure or quest, facing challenges, undergoing transformation, and returning home with newfound wisdom or treasures.

In Narrative Therapy, which is a psychotherapeutic modality, the term "journey" is often used metaphorically to describe the process of therapy itself. The therapeutic journey involves exploring one's life experiences, examining personal narratives, and working towards desired changes and personal growth. Narrative therapists aim to help individuals reframe their stories and create new narratives that promote healing, resilience, and well-being. The concept of journey in this context emphasizes the ongoing nature of therapy and the idea that change and growth are possible through the exploration of personal narratives.

How far must one go from home before one can call it a journey?

The distance one must go from home for an experience to be considered a journey is subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives and cultural contexts. The concept of a journey is not solely defined by physical distance but encompasses the depth of personal growth, challenges faced, and the transformative nature of the experience.

A journey can occur even within one's immediate surroundings or within the confines of their mind. It could be an inner journey of self-discovery, emotional exploration, or overcoming personal obstacles. In this sense, the distance traveled may not be measured in physical miles but in terms of the transformative impact on the individual.

However, in a more traditional sense, a journey typically involves traveling a significant distance away from home. It often entails leaving one's familiar environment and venturing into new territories, whether it's exploring a different culture, undertaking an expedition, or embarking on a long-distance pilgrimage. The specific distance that qualifies as a journey can vary depending on cultural, societal, and personal factors.

Ultimately, the essence of a journey lies in the process of growth, exploration, and transformation, rather than a specific distance traveled. It is the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the personal evolution that define the essence of a journey, regardless of how far one may physically travel from home.

OpenAI. (2023, June 3). "Write definitions for the words journey, trip, vacation and mission. Provide an example for each definition of a book that best captures the definition by referencing the challenge of the main character. Additionally, explore the relationship of the word journey as it relates to Joseph Campbell and Narrative Therapy, a psychotherapeutic modality." [Chat log]. Retrieved from https://www.openai.com

Resources:

South Korea Paying $500 to Young Shut-Ins so They'll Leave the House (insider.com)

South Korea is paying 'lonely young people' $500 a month to re-enter society | CNN

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy - Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations:

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous. If you enjoyed the episode, please write a review on Apple Podcasts so others can discover The Hopeful Humanist Cafe.

Peace, take care, be well, and share

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