The Top 10 Thoughts on Experimenting with Change (Tests, Allies, and Enemies)

Originally Submitted on 3/23/2001.

The Hero's Journey is another way of viewing a rite of passage or personal development: adolescence, first career, sobriety, parenthood, retirement, self-peace, etc. Tests, Allies, and Enemies is the sixth stage of this Hero's Journey. The hero has accepted the Call to Adventure and has begun training with the Mentor to prepare for the ordeal (attempt at big change). The Hero has crossed the threshold and now finds himself in a new world with new rules.

1. Many heroes meet the new society at the proverbial "watering hole." Where do the experts meet in your new world?

2. Considering that every expert has public and private reason for sharing information with the newcomer, how do you evaluate the source?

3. Some heroes go it alone in experimenting with change. Others gather a team to prepare for the ordeal. Would you rather rely on yourself alone? Who is your support group?

4. At this stage of the journey, heroes can meet or become better acquainted with the following characters: allies, the trickster (sidekick), shapeshifter (the illusive friend or foe), the shadow and his servants. How do these roles shape your development as the hero?

5. Tests can be faced and be interacting with the New world and the people in it. Where are you tested?

6. Who or what are the ogres in your adventure? How do you face or avoid them? How do you want to face them?

7. Is there any difference between a hero and a monster?

8. Tests are to the ordeal as pop quizzes are to the final. Why do humans experiment with change before attempting to actually do it?

9. What do you learn through experiencing (tests) versus reading and gathering information?

10. "If you want to put it in terms of intentions, the trials are designed to see to it that the intending hero should really be a hero." (Joseph Campbell) How do you exhibit your worthiness to transform?

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