In 1949 Joseph Campbell published "The Hero with a Thousand Faces".
The concept of the Hero's Journey has engaged people around the word ever since.
The Hero's Journey has been described as the journey of the soul.
It has also been referred to as a metaphor for life.
The concept of the Hero's Journey has engaged people around the word ever since.
The Hero's Journey has been described as the journey of the soul.
It has also been referred to as a metaphor for life.
The Labyrinth has also been described as a metaphor for life.
The Hero's Journey has a varying number of stages.
Anywhere from 4 to 17 stages.
Underlying these variations though, there are 3 consistent parts.
Separation
Initiation
Return
Within this 3 part framework, all of the events and passages of life transpire.
Immediately we see that the Labyrinth experience fits within the Hero's Journey framework.
Anywhere from 4 to 17 stages.
Underlying these variations though, there are 3 consistent parts.
Separation
Initiation
Return
Within this 3 part framework, all of the events and passages of life transpire.
Immediately we see that the Labyrinth experience fits within the Hero's Journey framework.
A Labyrinth walk also has 3 consistent parts.
Release
Receive
Return
These parts of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience appear interchangeable.
In the first part of Release, the Labyrinth walker engages in "Separation" from the "Ordinary World".
The design of the Labyrinth creates a sacred space which is separate from the everyday world.
The outer edge of the Chartres Rose Labyrinth (shown below) has a series of lunations that create a protective barrier between the ordinary world and the Labyrinth world.
Release
Receive
Return
These parts of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience appear interchangeable.
In the first part of Release, the Labyrinth walker engages in "Separation" from the "Ordinary World".
The design of the Labyrinth creates a sacred space which is separate from the everyday world.
The outer edge of the Chartres Rose Labyrinth (shown below) has a series of lunations that create a protective barrier between the ordinary world and the Labyrinth world.
There is only one small opening in this outer wall that allows access into the sanctuary of the Labyrinth.
Once you step through this opening, onto the single, winding path of the Labyrinth, you have achieved physical "Separation" from the ordinary world.
The challenge now is to achieve mental separation.
Once you step through this opening, onto the single, winding path of the Labyrinth, you have achieved physical "Separation" from the ordinary world.
The challenge now is to achieve mental separation.
Walking the single, winding path in to the physical centre of the Labyrinth is designed to promote this mental release.
This is interpreted as your return to your spiritual centre.
Without any real sense of transition, we may seamlessly move into the second part of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience.
Initiation & Receiving
At any time during the walk
in to the physical centre of the Labyrinth,
during your time within the centre,
and during your walk out from the physical centre
you may be open to receiving.
During this part of the Labyrinth experience
any of the stages of the Hero's Journey may be experienced.
This is interpreted as your return to your spiritual centre.
Without any real sense of transition, we may seamlessly move into the second part of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience.
Initiation & Receiving
At any time during the walk
in to the physical centre of the Labyrinth,
during your time within the centre,
and during your walk out from the physical centre
you may be open to receiving.
During this part of the Labyrinth experience
any of the stages of the Hero's Journey may be experienced.
The walk in to your spiritual centre is designed to prepare.
Once you have arrived at the Inner Rose of the Labyrinth
take the opportunity to remain within your spiritual centre.
Once you have arrived at the Inner Rose of the Labyrinth
take the opportunity to remain within your spiritual centre.
The third part of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience
Return
commences when you step out of the central rose
onto the single, winding path
to return to the ordinary world.
You have made your decision and now act upon it.
The walk out prepares you to return.
During the walk you may continue to receive.
You may commence the process of review & reconciliation.
The actual return occurs when you reach the small opening in the outer barrier.
Stop, take a moment, breath in, breath out, step out.
You are back in the ordinary world.
Return
commences when you step out of the central rose
onto the single, winding path
to return to the ordinary world.
You have made your decision and now act upon it.
The walk out prepares you to return.
During the walk you may continue to receive.
You may commence the process of review & reconciliation.
The actual return occurs when you reach the small opening in the outer barrier.
Stop, take a moment, breath in, breath out, step out.
You are back in the ordinary world.
The 3 parts of the Hero's Journey/Labyrinth experience
do not have defined boundaries.
They seamlessly overlap and mesh as one.
do not have defined boundaries.
They seamlessly overlap and mesh as one.
Receive/Initiation
depends on the level of success achieved during
Release/Separation.
As you walk, release yourself.
Immerse yourself in the Labyrinth experience.
As Wayne Dyer said, "Let go & Let God".
Whoever/whatever your God may be.
When you arrive at the physical centre of the Labyrinth
allow your mental release to persist.
Maximise your separation.
Engage in your connection within your spiritual centre.
When you are ready commence your physical return.
During your walk out from the centre
allow yourself to remain within the receiving/initiation mindset.
Allow yourself time to appreciate your experience.
Campbell's Return includes the stages of Resurrection and Return with the Elixir.
The Elixir may be the Golden Fleece, the Grail etc....
The process of Resurrection may be seen as rebirth.
Similar to a Near Death Experience.
This experience may include a life review, reconciliation and determination of a new life.
A new way of living.
What pearls did you find?
depends on the level of success achieved during
Release/Separation.
As you walk, release yourself.
Immerse yourself in the Labyrinth experience.
As Wayne Dyer said, "Let go & Let God".
Whoever/whatever your God may be.
When you arrive at the physical centre of the Labyrinth
allow your mental release to persist.
Maximise your separation.
Engage in your connection within your spiritual centre.
When you are ready commence your physical return.
During your walk out from the centre
allow yourself to remain within the receiving/initiation mindset.
Allow yourself time to appreciate your experience.
Campbell's Return includes the stages of Resurrection and Return with the Elixir.
The Elixir may be the Golden Fleece, the Grail etc....
The process of Resurrection may be seen as rebirth.
Similar to a Near Death Experience.
This experience may include a life review, reconciliation and determination of a new life.
A new way of living.
What pearls did you find?
With this discussion of the Hero's Journey and the Labyrinth experience in mind
I walked the Labyrinth.
The stages, for me, formed in the following pattern
Separation
Release
Receive
Initiation
Return
Review
Reconciliation
Integration
I think it helped in the first instance to think of Separation.
This enabled a quicker transition to Release & Receive.
Initiation may or may not be part of the experience at this time.
Whether it is or not will perhaps become apparent during your Review & Reconciliation.
Integration of your Labyrinth experience with your ordinary world experience
inspires growth.
You are not the same person
after your Labyrinth experience
that you were before you entered the Labyrinth.
This is the Hero's Journey.
I walked the Labyrinth.
The stages, for me, formed in the following pattern
Separation
Release
Receive
Initiation
Return
Review
Reconciliation
Integration
I think it helped in the first instance to think of Separation.
This enabled a quicker transition to Release & Receive.
Initiation may or may not be part of the experience at this time.
Whether it is or not will perhaps become apparent during your Review & Reconciliation.
Integration of your Labyrinth experience with your ordinary world experience
inspires growth.
You are not the same person
after your Labyrinth experience
that you were before you entered the Labyrinth.
This is the Hero's Journey.