Honoring the Phases of Hero’s Journey- Taking Time for Integration

I recently read a post about honoring the transitions of transformation in our life, including the natural resting pause of INTEGRATION after transformational experiences.

It reminded me of the potency of recognizing the true arc of a hero’s journey.

A hero’s journey often begins with us setting off with an intention in mind- perhaps tired of the stress we’re carrying or struggling with a recurring symptom or chronic subconscious limiting mental pattern that challenges our relationships, our self-esteem, our peace. And so, we set off on a course with the trailhead being the strongest symptom- in search of the “root” of our suffering and where this stubborn pattern might have originated from- or perhaps just to feel better.

Like any hero’s journey- the path begins at the beginning. We might seek outside help, greater support, start a new practice- something to deepen into our own therapeutic efforts to feel better. This is often an entry point for seeking Breathwork- which can help us start to create forward momentum and speed up the transformative process. We might complement this work with traditional talk therapy, or even psychedelic experiences. But the process of “starting out” is equivalent to walking forward into the mud of our own internal landscape to see what we can do to shake things up towards our own change and transformation.

Further on down the path, as we move along the journey we can begin to experience sometimes a brief or even longer arduous process. In the true hero’s journey arc- here we might fight our demons, slay some dragons, or even go off the path. It is in this phase that “parts” of who we are challenged to “fall away” or are even stripped away until we start to see more and more of the depth of ourselves and some of the roots of our own suffering.

During this phase, we might have a deep release of the underlying grief we’ve been carrying, shake off some of the stored stress and fear we’ve been holding, and even start to see glimpses of ourselves from a wider landscape or have a “lightbulb moment.”

We might also face deep resistance to the change we actually need and want to turn back- as we navigate the multiplicity of ourselves, including both the parts of ourselves that want to change and the parts that want to stay the same (ie. the more protector parts).

But by and large, we continue- through this incredible arc of the journey, and we eventually come to some form of completion- ie. the mountain top. This phase of the journey would be where our breath suddenly feels more easy and open, where we begin to see ourselves with fresh eyes- as we look over the vista of our life- and remember who we really are- as strong, as powerful, as changeable, as open and connected.

This is often where we find the peace we seek, the change we seek, the awareness we needed for lasting change. And, after sometime here appreciating the view, we eventually realize that it is time to make our way back down the mountain.

As we do this, we might find ourselves skipping, running, jumping, smiling and noticing the colors around us more visibly- the flowers, the scents and feel a genuine appreciation for our life.

We might also feel a sense of deep gratitude for the living, breathing being that we are and all the many opportunities for life that we are given. It is in this process- this journey “home” process that things just make sense- we feel connected and we remember our innate wholeness.

Finally, we get in the car and begin to drive home. And this- is the final phase of the hero’s journey we don’t often pay much attention to. (For those who have given birth to babies know that this phase is considered the “4th trimester”- ie. the first 9 months after a baby is born.)

This final leg of the journey is the process of “re-entry” and recalibration. A chance for us to walk IN the change, meet our own growth, embody our new insight. But while we might feel we should charge on ahead with great gusto, the truth is- often what we need is to meet ourselves and our lives with tender care. If we’re truly listening, we might actually feel more tired, contemplative, and even have some remnants of self-doubt that are falling away.

Our slow process of “returning” is a natural phase of the journey. In fact- if we really are listening, we might feel more drawn to be outside in nature strolling around by ourselves rather than actually trying to make sense of things because nothing seems to make sense.

This final phase of INTEGRATION is a necessary and needed part of the hero’s journey. As our life, our relations, and our lifestyle all begin to recalibrate to the big changes we’ve made, what might seem like laziness or a deep need for quiet may present. Trust that this is actually a part of our own natural healing recovery process.

So often in our society we are driven to keep going- one more thing, one more thing, rise up, go forth. But every journey has a beginning, a middle, an end and a recovery. Honoring the process of reassimilation from big changes in our life is necessary.

Our best guide during this final phase is to LISTEN to and trust the simplest yearning of our own heart- like how the mud seeps lower and lower down into the earth with the rain- and remember to take time to honor of the journey we’ve been on and just let things land….

In peace and celebration of the hero’s path! - Tania