The Hero’s Journey & The Search For The Fallen Star
Storytelling reinforces both Ayurveda and journaling.
When we’re discussing Ayurveda and it’s more subtle and intuitive wisdom, storytelling helps convey the meaning we desire.
Journaling places us centre stage of our own story. Internally, we become the brightest star in our own galaxy when we acknowledge ourself as the hero of our own journey.
The Hero’s Journey written by Joseph Campbell, describes the twelve typical steps taken by a hero in their story — each step is a turning point for the hero.
The hero has qualities and flaws – let’s give them a cloak and dagger too. And a purpose, to find the fallen Star.
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The first steps of The Hero’s Journey involve the hero leaving their ordinary world and crossing a threshold, into a place of adventure. There, the hero meets with friends, enemies, growth, challenge, and change. The hero learns to fight for what they believe in.
Then, a challenge only the hero can win. Their unique blend of qualities and flaws are put to the test – out come the cloak and dagger!
In a crucial moment, the hero finds the fallen Star.
Phew! We were rooting for them, weren’t we!
In the final steps, the hero returns to their ordinary world, victorious.
The twelve steps the hero takes are similar to those we take in real life – only in a less dramatic way (without a cloak and dagger).
Ayurveda helps orientate us in our own journey, highlighting our qualities and flaws, and helping us find a purpose in life.
Journaling the ups and downs of real life, reveals the story inside as we meet with friends, enemies, personal growth, challenge, and change at every turn.
Together they teach us to dig deep into our qualities and flaws, to trust in our ability to overcome life’s struggles and come out of the brawl victorious.
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As the hero of our own story, we might like to think of ourself as the author too. In some ways, we are the great authority over our own life – we make the decisions, after all.
Yet we don’t determine outcomes.
So much of life is unknown and outside our control.
Ayurveda and journaling encourage us to nurture a spiritual life and to believe in a power – an authority – greater than ourselves.
Ayurveda and journaling teach us how to embrace our own deeply spiritual nature.
Every story has an author. A narrator’s voice that accompanies the hero on their journey in search of the fallen Star.
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Take your notebook and pen.
5 mins - Calm your mind, be present
To begin, spend a few minutes writing about your immediate sensory experience and surroundings. Writing should be specific, descriptive, and done with mindful awareness
10 mins - Lose yourself in the mind
How do you feel about being the hero of your own journey?
Are willing to meet with friends, enemies, personal growth, challenge, and change? To dig deep into your own qualities and flaws?
How determined are you to overcome life’s struggles and come out victorious? Can you identify one way in which journaling may help on your unique hero’s journey?
What feelings arise around the fallen Star?
5 mins - Reflect on what you’ve written
Reread everything you’ve written. While reading, observe the tone and emotion in your writing. Make further written notes underneath or beside what is already written to aid your reflections.
Journaling often stirs emotion so don’t be afraid if you touch on something that makes you feel certain way. Allow whatever comes up to pass freely and without judgement.
