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Being A Hero and Heroine

The heroic quest is a soul inspired journey toward living unity with all people and with all things. To live in a soul-centered way is to be a hero/heroine. Joseph Campbell refers to the heroic quest as the monomyth, a primary myth that is the basis for almost every other myth we have. It is so basic because it is a reflection of the most fundamental urge within every human being – the urge to experience wholeness.

The heroic quest is the search for the self, and the uniting with that self. It requires one to be both hero and heroine. When we take this journey we do so as personalities that are somewhat aligned with soul. As hero we use some of the Power aspect of soul, embarking upon a purpose that will serve a greater good. As heroine we use some of the Love aspect of soul so that right relationship and unity can result. The success of the quest results in intelligent activity, the Light aspect of soul. We can then, to the degree of our accomplishment, be a light for others and assist them in their quest by simply living our life with a different quality.

The goal of the heroic quest is to discover the self, but that involves discovering both the male and the female within to the point of being able to express each of those sides of one’s being when appropriate. Few of us are able to do that very well.

The hero is the male within us that must mentally and physically remove the obstacles in our journey. The most basic obstacle is that which keeps us separate from ourselves or from the goal. There are parts of ourselves that have influence in our thoughts and feelings that do not know what our higher quest is all about or where it is we are going. These parts are unconsciously projected outward. When we find them on our path we struggle against them. They are the dragons and monsters that the hero must battle.

The male energy must be embraced and expressed with clear thought of purpose, construction of appropriate expressions of principles, support structures so that life and transformation can unfold appropriately. The hero’s journey gives us a sense of purpose.

The heroine is the female within us that must then merge with the reality exposed by the removal of obstacles. The female energy must be venerated as the giver of life and the consumer of death. It must take us more fully into the relationships between life and death. This is the basis for inspiration, creativity, sacrifice and transformation. The heroine’s journey is what gives meaning to our life and experiences.

What we are to learn is not that the female alone gives life and the male alone holds the forms in place, but that it is really the merging of the two that constantly creates, giving life, maintaining and nurturing what is given, transforming and growing the fruits of the union, dissolving them when their time is done, and unfolding consciousness. It is only when the two merge that soul and personality come together as one. We must now, each of us male and female alike, take both the hero’s and the heroine’s journeys, for they are each one-half of the soul journey.

Heroism means less conquest than boldness: the hero and heroine are heroic not because they defeat enemies but because they venture to an unknown land – not to defeat its occupants but instead to become one with them. We begin our heroic journey when we begin to discover the unity behind the apparent dualities of life, and perceive the underlying oneness that we all share. It continues as we dedicate ourselves on a daily basis to support and serve that unity.

This is one of 99 Soul Perspectives. Click here or your BACK button to go back to the Soul Perspectives Index.