The experience of connectedness is something we all instinctively long for, but the nature of modern society is very divisive, and results in deep feelings of loneliness, or isolation in people from all walks of life. It encourages a hierarchical culture of “monkey see, monkey do”, and addiction or other psychological conditions are symptoms of the individual’s disharmony with her/his intrinsic nature: Unithou.
An understanding of mythic patterns is extremely empowering, as it helps us recognise the different powers that both cooperate and cause conflict within us. When we recognise our inner villain, we may begin to see our difficulty as an opportunity, so that the downward spiral can transform into the upward spiral.
Here’s a quote from the essay by William L. White, which refers to Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero With a Thousand Faces”:
“If recovering people have not fully returned to their communities, it is as much a cultural
failure as a personal one. It is the cultural stigma–the very real price that can be exacted for
disclosure of recovery status–that is a primary culprit here. It is time for a new recovery
advocacy movement that, by removing the cultural stigma that continues to be attached to
addiction/recovery, can open the doors for recovering people to return to their communities. It is
time recovering people shared the boon of their recovery, not just with others seeking recovery,
but with the whole community.”
Download the whole essay here:
white_heroic_journey
UniThou 