Hero's Journey - Tests, Allies and Enemies

The Hero is now fully in the Special World – he is at the stage of “Tests, Allies, and Enemies”. The Hero now faces tests while he sorts out who are his allies and enemies for his Hero’s journey.

When the Hero embarks on his Hero’s Journey, there are three possible ways others may respond. Some will support the Hero, some are indifferent, while others will decide to be the Hero’s enemy because of what he stands for.

This is the stage where the Hero hones his people reading skills. Misreading people – whom he can trust and whom he cannot - can break the Journey.

It is natural for us to want to be loved by all but this is simply not possible. Enemies are something we cannot avoid completely - not even if we abandon our Hero’s Journey and try to please everyone. As Bill Crosby said, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.”

So do not be disheartened when toxic and evil people show up in your life. Dealing successfully with toxic people and evil people are crucial life skills, and part and parcel of the Hero's Journey.

The Hero’s Journey is not a solitary quest. Heroes have an extensive and diverse support network which they carefully and systemically nurture. The Hero’s allies consist of people who agree with the Hero’s aspirations and the initially indifferent people whom the hero rallies to support him. The Hero will leverage on people who sincerely support his Hero’s Journey. Heroes pro-actively seek help from their network of allies.

This is also the time the Hero faces tests that build up his character and capability to face the impending ultimate challenge in achieving his goal.

Every test awakens some latent force in the Hero. What doesn’t kill the Hero only makes him stronger.

Scientists in California found that adversity is good for amoebas. They put the amoebas in two tanks. In one, the temperature, PH level, everything is just perfect for amoebas. In the other tank, they deliberately changed drastically and randomly the temperature, PH level and so on to shock the amoebas.

To their surprise, the less coddled amoebas grew faster, healthier and stronger than their privileged cousins.

This suggests that adversity and stress which are invariably part of our Hero’s journey are the necessary ingredients for the Hero’s success.

This stage of “Tests, Allies and Enemies” will transform the Hero to a new and better person with the capabilities, allies and the mental resources to face the impending greatest challenge of his Hero’s Journey.

Hero's Journey - Belly of the Whale

After Crossing the Threshold, the hero enters the "Belly of the Whale”.

Once pass the Threshold, there is no turning back on the Hero’s calling.

Running away is futile. The calling will always be there and will keep visiting the Hero.

Pass a certain point, the Hero after enduring deep inner struggles will re-emerge awakened and transformed by the calling. The Hero then pursues his calling with unshakable conviction and zeal.

The name of this stage “Belly of the Whale” is taken from the biblical account of Jonah.

God instructed Jonah to travel to the prosperous but decadent city of Nineveh, to warn the people there of their sins against the Almighty.

Instead of obeying God's command, the reluctant Jonah attempted to flee in the opposite direction to the port of Tarshish by ship.

God sent a giant storm to block Jonah’s escape. The frightened sailors asked Jonah how they could appease God.

Jonah told them to toss him over the side. The sailors fearing for their lives promptly obliged.

God sent a whale to swallow Jonah, who stayed in its dark, damp, cavernous stomach for three days and three nights.

During the three day ordeal, Jonah reflected and was reawakened to his calling. Jonah asked God to forgive him for disobeying his calling.

God forgave Jonah.

The whale then spat the spiritually transformed Jonah onto the beach.

Jonah then went on to Nineveh to perform the task God called him to do.

The Belly of the Whale represents the final separation from the hero's Ordinary World and old self.

It is the Hero's lowest point. It is the point when the person is between or transitioning between the Ordinary and Special Worlds, and between their old and transformed selves.

Hero's Journey - Crossing the Threshold

The Hero Crosses the Threshold, to leave the Ordinary World and steps into the Special World.

With one foot in the Special World, the Hero is confronted by new sights and sounds, new learnings, surprises, adventures and experiences.

The Hero feels out of place, uncomfortable, inexperienced.

The Hero’s previous thoughts of the Special World are shaken by its realities.

The Hero begins to doubt himself, “What was I thinking to leave my Ordinary World behind?”

We’ve all been in situations like this.

The first obstacles the Hero meets are the Threshold Guardians.

Threshold Guardians are often emotional obstacles. It might be a feeling, a memory, a nightmare or anything that prevents the Hero from moving forward in his Hero’s Journey.

A common form of Threshold Guardian is the naysayer.

Naysayers are often the people closest to us such as our family, spouse, relatives and friends. They may be well meaning but their opinions are based on their own experiences. They do not share the same passion as you have regarding your calling. They are not inspired as you are.

Naysayers remind me of the Crabs in a Bucket Syndrome.

A single crab put in a lidless bucket is bound to climb over the lid and escape. Yet when more than one crab share a bucket, none can get out even when the lidless top and the sky above are an open invitation to freedom.

If one crab tries to elevate himself above all, the others will grab him and drag him down to share the common fate of the rest.

It is this way with crabs, and so it is the same with people. Some find themselves in a family or a circle of friends that will pull them down, if they strive to better themselves.

Don’t let crabs discourage you. Find people outside the bucket whom will pull you up and out.

So how do we deal with naysayers? The best way is to simply ignore them.

Once upon a time, a colony of frogs decided to migrate from their badly polluted pond to another with pristine water and teeming with food.

One summer day, hundreds hopped towards the promised land. The weather was searing hot and sharp stones peppered the hard baked ground.

One frog asked, “Why must the journey be made on such a sizzling day?” Another questioned, “Why choose such a punishing route?” Soon more questions with no easy answers echoed across the colony.

One frog decided to stop. Then another, and another. Soon all the frogs stopped, except one.

The little frog who was neither the fastest, nor strongest, struggled uphill until it arrived at the new pond.

The other frogs watched in amazement. They shouted at him, wanting to know, how only the tiny one got the courage and strength to accomplish the feat.

But the little frog seemed not to hear their loud cheers.

The other frogs then realised that the little frog was deaf!

It could not hear the self defeating doubts that stopped the other frogs from achieving their goal!

Once he Cross the Threshold, the Hero fully enters the Special World.

This is a defining moment in the Hero’s Journey. This is the time for action and the Hero taking 100% responsibility for achieving his goal.