The Hero's Journey: Becoming The Master

Most people might be familiar with The Hero’s Journey, a narrative structure found across myths, legends, and religious traditions worldwide. Outlined by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces, it builds on the works of thinkers like Carl Jung, particularly his theory of archetypes and collective unconscious. This monomyth is the pattern that emerges which represents the fundamental process of personal transformation and the pursuit of wisdom. It unfolds in three primary stages:

1. Departure (Separation): The hero receives a call to adventure, often triggered by an internal realization, external challenge, or crisis. Initially, there is resistance—reflecting humanity’s tendency to avoid change. With the guidance of a mentor, the hero ultimately accepts the journey and leaves the familiar world behind.

   
   

2. Initiation: Entering unknown territory, the hero faces trials, adversaries, and internal struggles that test their strength, wisdom, and resolve. These challenges serve as lessons, forcing growth and transformation. A process of symbolic death and rebirth.

   
   

3. Return (Integration): Having overcome the ordeal and gained new wisdom, the hero returns to the ordinary world, forever changed. They bring back the "elixir"—knowledge, insight, or a new way of being—that has the potential to benefit others. This final stage represents the integration of lessons learned, making the journey meaningful not just for the hero but for the world around them.

   
   

This cycle follows my process and levels of personal development: Self-Awareness (the call), Self-Reflection, Self-Realisation, and Self-Actualisation (the trials and growth), that culminates in Self-Transcendence (the return).

Mythological & Religious References in Campbell’s Work

Campbell’s work identifies numerous mythological and religious stories that follow the Hero’s Journey structure, each offering a unique yet similar path of transformation. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Sumerian king seeks immortality, ultimately gaining wisdom about life and death. Odysseus faces trials and divine guidance on his long journey home. Siddhartha Gautama leaves his royal life, endures trials, attains enlightenment, and returns to teach. Jesus undergoes baptism, faces trials in the desert, performs miracles, dies, and is resurrected. Moses is called to free his people, faces trials, and leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. Arjuna, guided by Krishna, learns about duty, self-realization, and dharma during battle. Osiris’ death and Horus’ journey to reclaim his throne reflect the archetype of the son avenging the father. King Arthur rises from an unknown boy to a legendary king through trials and divine support. Each of these stories exemplifies the universal pattern of a hero’s transformation, illustrating the powerful themes of growth, struggle, and ultimate wisdom.

While the Hero’s Journey emerged from countless stories centered on gifted individuals—whether through talent, destiny, or lineage—who felt a deep sense of potential and a call to change the world, it ultimately describes the process rather than the outcome. The reason we see fewer modern myths is that, in contemporary society, the need for a singular savior is fading. Many of these myths, often inspired by real people, arose during times of war, struggle, and chaos—when societies sought strong leaders to guide them out of disorder and, metaphorically, out of Plato’s Cave.

From Fool to Master: The Personal Journey in the Modern World

While external dangers are less pressing, many in modern life struggle to balance material and spiritual pursuits, calling each person on their own internal journey—not to save the world, but to seek self-discovery, growth, and mastery. Some may become leaders or innovators, while others simply evolve into better versions of themselves, equipped to live meaningful and fulfilled lives—passing on their wisdom so the next generation can aim even higher. The journey from Fool (current self) to Master (Ideal self/Self-Mastery) reflects the universal potential for individual transformation.

This diagram represents the elements and dynamics that shape the Self. You inherit 50% of your genes from your mother and 50% from your father, which influence your physical capabilities and cognitive capacity. As you develop, you also receive guidance and nurture, which can either support or hinder your potential. The journey to mastery becomes more challenging for those lacking optimal genetics, guidance, or nurturing.

However, while obstacles vary, the process remains the same regardless of one’s starting point. For those with an optimal upbringing, achieving success may come more easily, but this does not inherently make their accomplishments impressive or fulfilling. Intellectual effort—the combination of raw effort and curiosity to improve—is a stronger indicator of true achievement than the outcome alone. We should be proud of that effort, which is not contradictory to the sin of pride, as pride focuses on the outcome rather than the process.

Sin, Virtues, Demons, and Morality:

The journey towards mastery is ultimately a pursuit of truth and morality (good). Along the way, obstacles will arise—both external and internal—manifesting as sin and demons (the inner critic).

While these terms are often strictly associated with a religious lens, specifically Judeo-Christianity, they have a universal presence. This is because moral principles and guiding ideas emerge after life has been lived—not before. They represent the distilled wisdom of generations, formed through observing patterns of human flourishing and suffering. Over centuries, societies recognized what led individuals and communities toward stability, growth, and fulfillment—and what led them toward chaos and destruction. From this, the essence of the two great commandments became guiding principles.

1. Sacrifice the material pleasures of this world and align with the universal laws with your whole being.

2. Sacrifice for your neighbors as you would for yourself.

   
   

Sin, at its core, is not just about breaking religious divine laws, but about 'missing the mark.' The original Hebrew term ('Chatta’ah') and the Greek term ('Hamartia') reflect this idea as they are used in the Bible. In essence, anything that distracts or takes us away from our goal is a sin. Accepting this, in and of itself, becomes a journey.

Pope Gregory I, proposed the 7 deadly sins as the primary sins that lead to other sins and moral corruption, and gives a pretty decent representation to work from. Virtues, on the other hand, are the opposite end of the spectrum and play a big part in the moral development of the individual.

1. Pride vs Humility

Pride is the excessive belief in one's own importance, while humility is having a modest or low view of one's importance. Practicing humility helps to counteract pride by encouraging a more balanced and grounded perspective of oneself.

2. Greed vs Kindness

Greed is an excessive desire for material wealth or possessions, whereas kindness involves being generous and considerate. Kindness fosters selflessness and prioritizing the well-being of others, counteracting the selfishness associated with greed.

3. Wrath vs Patience

Wrath is the uncontrolled expression of anger, rage, or hatred. Patience, on the other hand, involves tolerating difficulties without becoming frustrated. Patience helps to calm wrath and promotes emotional regulation, allowing individuals to respond to challenges more calmly and wisely.

4. Envy vs Appreciation

Envy is resentment or jealousy toward others' possessions, qualities, or achievements. Appreciation, in contrast, is the recognition and enjoyment of the virtuous qualities in others or in life. Appreciation fosters contentment and encourages positive regard for others' successes rather than resentment.

5. Lust vs Discipline

Lust is an intense or uncontrolled sexual desire, which can often lead to impulsive and reckless behavior. Discipline involves the ability to control oneself, making deliberate and responsible choices. Discipline helps prevent the overindulgence and impulsiveness linked with lust, promoting self-control.

6. Gluttony vs Responsibility

Gluttony is overindulgence or overconsumption, particularly of food or substances. Responsibility involves taking ownership of one's behavior and its consequences. Being responsible for one's actions and decisions helps to moderate desires and avoid the excesses associated with gluttony.

7. Sloth vs Diligence

Sloth is laziness or lack of motivation, particularly in engaging in productive activities. Diligence, in contrast, is careful and persistent effort. Diligence fosters active engagement and sustained effort, counteracting the lethargy and apathy of sloth.

However, these “sins,” once personified as gods, represent natural human desires and subpersonalities. They are not inherently sinful but become so depending on the context and the actions we partake in while we are consumed by them. The extent to which we experience guilt or shame after committing a sin is influenced by the rigidity and intensity of our current ideals (representations of who we fear not being loved by) and the social groups we identify with.

• Guilt arises when we go against our ideals.

• Shame emerges when we fail to align with the values of our social group.

This complexity deepens when we adopt too many conflicting ideals and group identities, leading to a lack of self-love—not in a superficial sense, but as the discipline to sacrifice immediate pleasure for long-term growth. In trying to satisfy contradictory voices, we lose clarity in our path, creating inner tension and stress. These inner conflicts are often referred to as "demons" or "inner critics" because they contradict the ego (our current view of ourselves), arising from the fact that our ideals serve as internal judges. By overcoming these inner voices, we can now consciously shape our ideal self (our highest potential) without the contradictions, transforming guilt and shame from burdens into accurate guides—towards Self-mastery.

The journey from ego to Self demands both a clear vision of our ideal and an honest assessment of who we are now, along with the path forward. However, attachment to the ego is the greatest obstacle to growth and maturity. It is the first true hurdle—one that separates those who choose comfort and illusion from those who seek truth. Much like the choice between the blue pill and the red pill, we can either remain in the safety of our conditioned beliefs or awaken to the deeper reality of who we truly are. Overcoming the ego is not just a step—it is the beginning of the journey.

The path to this ideal differs for males and females, as their biological purposes are distinct and inescapable. Attempts to deny these drives often result in physical and psychological distress. Referring to the diagram, the masculine (male) role is primarily one of guidance, necessitating providing and protecting. The feminine (female) role centers on nurturing, fostering growth and emotional well-being. Thus, striving toward the ideal father and ideal mother becomes the path to true freedom, as this character development defines the ideal man and ideal woman.

This realization leads to the essence of morality—a system of intent and action that can be sustained by all individuals indefinitely, fostering not only stability but also growth within ourselves, our relationships, and the world.

Conclusion

The Hero’s Journey, while rooted in ancient myths, remains a powerful framework for understanding human transformation. In modern times, where external threats have diminished, the internal battle—overcoming personal obstacles, mastering the self, and aligning with higher ideals—takes precedence. True wisdom is not just about attaining success but about integrating knowledge, discipline, and virtue into a life well-lived. The Fool’s Journey toward mastery is one of self-discovery, self-overcoming, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

In many ways, this journey mirrors an RPG (Role Playing Game). Each person starts with a unique set of base stats—genetics, upbringing, and environment—but no real skills or knowledge of the world. The call to adventure is always there, but not everyone answers. Those who do begin leveling up—gaining experience, unlocking abilities, and learning how reality works. Every challenge is a test, a mini-game shaping your destiny in ways that may not be immediately obvious. The choices you make, the skills you develop, and the obstacles you overcome all determine the kind of character you become.

Some people stay in the starting zone, repeating the same routines, never progressing. Others take risks, exploring the unknown, growing stronger through each trial. Life, like a game, is filled with side quests—relationships, passions, and challenges—that can either aid your growth or serve as distractions. The world is populated with NPCs, individuals who follow scripted patterns, unaware that they, too, have the power to forge their own path. And just as in a game, difficulty settings exist. Some begin on "hard mode," facing greater struggles, while others start with built-in advantages. Yet, in the end, your journey is not defined by where you started but by how you play.

The real question is: will you take control of your own story, mastering the game of life, climbing through the levels of personal development?