The Story Behind Follow Your Bliss
Mythologist and professor, Joseph Campbell, is best known for his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces in which he discusses his theory of the hero’s journey detailed in mythology throughout history.
Many ancient Celtic and Greek myths and Japanese legends refer to this journey. As does a more recent story you may recognize—Star Wars.
Now given the harrowing circumstances that Luke Skywalker encounters throughout his journey, it seems difficult to believe he’s following his bliss. (A sea monster in a garbage chute while the walls close in? Um, no thanks.)
But following your bliss goes much deeper than finding what makes you happy. The theory really involves finding the path you’re meant to be on and moving forward despite obstacles.
It demands that we discover the hero within ourselves.
Says Campbell, “A hero…is someone who has given his life to something bigger than himself or other than himself.”
This is what Luke Skywalker does. And in this way, he lives his most fulfilling life. He finds his bliss.
In our culture we might envision a “hero” to be someone who bravely conquers adversity alone. But in the hero’s journey, that’s not the case.
In all these myths, the hero encounters a guide. (Think Yoda and Obi-Wan.) The guide has already traveled the path themselves and passes their wisdom on to the hero.
Just as the hero, at some point in his or her future, will pass his own experience on to a protégé.
In this cycle, we are engaged in life at a deeper level while passing our lessons along to a future generation.
In this way we can give to others and the world, which in turn, makes our own lives more fulfilling.
Follow Your Bliss--Adventure Path Hoodie
I was thinking of the hero’s journey when designing our Follow Your Bliss--Adventure Path Hoodie.
I wanted it to illustrate the hero’s journey with it’s winding paths, it’s obstacles (mountains to climb, rivers to cross, forests to navigate) while also showing the entire journey toward bliss for what it really is—something beautiful.
Are you following your bliss right now? We’d love to hear about your own hero journey. Please consider sharing your story with us!
Until next time!
XOXOXO
Lolly
