#13: Facing Fear: A Personal Odyssey Artwork

The Therapy Alchemist

Change is not just about the science and research. Mental health isn't just what we characterize as a disorder or not. It's also about the mystical ways in which we change and grow. Science can't study everything about our inner spirit/soul.

On this podcast, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado & Oklahoma dives into the spaces that science cannot go. Discussing what ACTUAL growth and change look like. Filling in the gaps that the pop-psychology world misses, completely ignores, or sometimes shames. Plus some tips and tricks along the way to help you achieve your own personal legend.

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The Therapy Alchemist

#13: Facing Fear: A Personal Odyssey

April 14, 2024 • Katrina Austin • Season 1 • Episode 13

0:00 | 5:05

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Today’s episode delves into the concept of the hero's journey as outlined by Joseph Campbell, emphasizing the universal pattern of adventures and trials that protagonists undergo in mythology and literature. It illustrates this journey with the personal experience of facing tests from the universe after finding self-love, leading to the approach of the 'inmost cave'—the deepest personal challenges and fears. The narrative provides insights into overcoming these trials, such as trusting the process, learning from each step, and embracing both the ordeal and the eventual triumph over personal monsters. It concludes with messages of encouragement for those facing their own inner caves, highlighting the importance of pacing, breathing, and seeking help while reminding you that challenging journeys lead to growth and transformation.

00:00 Introduction to the Hero's Journey

01:00 The Test: Allies and Enemies

01:30 Personal Reflections on the Journey

02:01 Approaching the Inmost Cave

02:54 Navigating the Darkness Within

03:31 Facing the Ordeal and Emerging Stronger

04:02 Guidance for Those in the Innermost Cave

04:50 Conclusion and Resources

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*This is not a substitute for therapy nor is it therapeutic advice. If you would like to find a therapist in your area check out psychologytoday.com, goodtherapy.org, or therapyden.com

0:32

Today. I want to talk about the hero's journey. By Joseph Campbell. Joseph Campbell studied all the great literatures and mythologies of history and discovered that the protagonist follow the same journey in each of the greatest stories ever told. When you reach a moment of realization that change needs to happen. When you've laid the groundwork for it. Do you universe sends you test to see if you have truly learned. Which leads to the fifth stage. Test allies and enemies. In the book, the Alchemist, Santiago, first experiences. This, when he is confronted by the first person in Africa who robbed him blindly. He is left with nothing on day one of his path toward his personal legend. His first instinct is to go back. However something magical happens in the hesitation. Which leads him down the path toward his true calling. I experienced this when I first found self-love. The universe said, oh, You're really grounded in yourself. Let's test that. I'm going to take away the two most important people in your life. Let's see if you can make it. I immediately wanted to go back. I instinctively wanted to run. Some days I did. But piece by piece, my foundation was being laid. And I did it afraid. So here I stand. It's stage six. The approach to the inmost cave. When you were approaching the darkest parts of your soul. That's when you know, you're here. This is where our greatest challenges and fears come up. The face to face reality of our core wounds. Here I am. At the door. Taking one step into the darkness. And it is terrifying. My body is afraid. I'm over analyzing every sound. Movement shadow. Light. I'm on guard. But I keep breathing. I keep walking because I've prepared for this. I've got a bag of tools. The words of my wise mentors. The support of my allies. And the memories of my enemies. I'm ready. And I am uncomfortable. So when you're on this step of the hero's journey, just remember that you don't get to know how to get through the cave. The path isn't clear. You don't know what monsters lie at the bottom. You're instinctively going to want to know which step is the right one. But remember. There isn't a right step. You're in the cave. Even if you go down a path that leads to a dead end. You now have learned. What that path was. You're learning every nook and cranny of your inner most cave. And you're going to want to. Because trust me. You'll be back. And then the next phase comes, which is the ordeal. And that's the real shit. That's a face-to-face with the monster. But it's okay. You'll either be friend the monster or defeat him. It'll be hard when you come out the other side. You'll know exactly what it took to win. You'll be able to look back and say, wow. I really did it. And then you'll head back to your life forever changed. Stronger than ever. So if you're here with me in the inner most cave, Just know you're not alone. When you feel afraid, the first thing you need to do is slow down. And breathe more. Pace yourself slower. Because remember when we went to rush, it means we are afraid. Intuition is slow. Insure. And you're going to trip on things. You're going to mess up. But you'll get there. And don't forget. It's okay to ask for help. But like Santiago learned. Not every question needs an answer. You just have to follow the omens, the signs along the way. The remind you on your worst day to not give up. The life you're imagining is just around the corner. As a reminder, this is not a substitute for therapy nor therapeutic advice. If you would like to find a therapist in your area, check the links below. Thanks again for listening. Hit that subscribe button. And follow me.