Introduction
I always wondered about why all of us can't be heroes. I use to think that the heroes are the ones who complete marvellous feats risking their lives while demonstrating superhuman abilities.
But it seems that this is not the only way and that this is really a small part of what a hero is. The majority of heroes go unseen and their actions are invisible.
Instead of there being only a few heroes we are all really called to be heroes, and we can all be heroes in the sense that we are called to be, which is to be a hero in our own microcosmos!
It is often the difficult times that tend to bring that out the hero in people. A hero always appears in times of need and when we are internally poor and the land of the Being within us is overrun by the unjust and the disorderly (karma and "I's"), a hero is needed and the call is made.
By the Law of Emanation everyone emanates a real and authentic life outward from the heart of the Absolute. This happens for absolutely everyone and everyone is a cosmos in miniature and everyone's microcosmos is a real and authentic universe, with all the goings on of what the Earth and humanity have experienced and can experience.
The essence of everyone is called to be a hero. This the hero redefined, one that triumphs over the long term and along the way there are many miraculous feats, extraordinary leaps and difficult heart-wrenching decisions made. This is the life of many following a calling and the life of those walking the path.
So we can all be a hero and really we need to be one within ourselves.
It seems that the call of the hero and the work of the hero is the same everywhere and for everyone and there is a mapping of its stages.
Hero Stages
1. Ordinary World
The hero's normal life before the adventure begins. We see who they are in their comfort zone.
2. Call to Adventure
Something disrupts the ordinary world. The hero is presented with a challenge or quest.
3. Refusal of the Call
The hero hesitates or refuses due to fear or doubt. Expresses the risks of the journey ahead.
4. Meeting the Mentor/Guru
The hero meets a guide/teacher. Receives advice, training, or magical gifts.
5. Crossing the Threshold
The hero commits to the adventure. Leaves the ordinary world and enters the special world.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies
The hero faces trials and challenges. Makes friends and identifies foes. Learns the rules of the special world.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave
The hero prepares for the major challenge. Approaches the place of greatest danger.
8. The Ordeal
The hero faces their greatest fear. A "death and rebirth" moment. The central crisis of the story.
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword)
The hero survives the ordeal. Gains a treasure, knowledge, or insight. Achieves their goal.
10. The Road Back
The hero begins the journey home. Must recommit to completing the adventure.
11. Resurrection
The hero faces a final test. A climactic "death and rebirth" moment. Emerges transformed and purified.
12. Return with the Elixir
The hero returns to the ordinary world. Brings back knowledge, treasure, or wisdom. Shares the benefit with others.
Conclusion
The stages of the hero happen on a great and small scale. On the scale of our whole life, on the scale of a project and on the scale of the path - saving our inner microcosmos.
In many ways these twelve stages correspond to the drama of the Christ and the stages of the three mountains. The interesting part of us in this post is to see where we are in this map and in the project we are working on and to know we are called to be heroes.
End (5936).
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