Gandalf and Dumbledore(Wizards, Mythology and Symbolism)

"And now Harry, let us step out into the night 
and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."
- Albus Dumbledore

"A wizard is never late. Nor is he early.
He arrives precisely when he means to."
- Gandalf

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, 
far more than our abilities."
- Albus Dumbledore

"All we have to decide is what to do 
with the time that is given to us."
- Gandalf

In Gandalf and Dumbledore we are introduced to two archetypal
powers whose Wisdom, courage and inner-strength beckons
us to follow them, Bond with them, and learn their ways; so that
we, too, can discover and ignite within ourselves those similar
latent forces that can empower us to pursue, and achieve, our own
noble and mystical Quests.

Gandalf and Dumbledore: They are magical...they are
adventurous...they are unbending strength-of-character...they
possess the Wisdom of the Ages...they also possess the scars
and experiences that can only be gained from numerous ancient
battles...they are admired by many and feared by some...they are
Wizards of the highest order!

However, though both are Wizards of the highest order, they
differ in their demeanors and in the ways in which they interact
with the world, its people, and its elements.

Throughout mythology we find that one of the Symbolic roles
of a Wizard is that of The Call To Adventure; wherein a powerful
Wizard presents a challenge of the highest order to an
unsuspecting, yet worthy and well-qualified, Initiate. Merlin
challenged Arthur. Dumbledore challenged Harry Potter.
Gandalf challenged both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

Let us now take a closer look at two great mythological Wizards:
Gandalf and Dumbledore.

Albus Dumbledore:

Albus Dumbledore is the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is dressed in the finest Wizard
garments, he sits at the head of the Wizard's table when
dining, and he occupies a finely decorated personal office in
a tower above the school which is protected by magical spells
and enchantments.

In addition to governing the school and keeping the teaching
faculty appeased, he must also deal with the bureaucratic
nightmare called the Ministry of Magic which consists of
fragile egos, petty tyrants, internal bickering and mindless
regulations.

Yet, while being bogged down with all of these mundane and
superfluous tasks, Albus Dumbledore still finds the time to hunt
down evil and protect the world; while at the same time Instructing,
training and maintaining an Order of elite and virtuous Wizards.

As it was in the best interest of the of the community of Wizards
not to display their talents and skills to the world of non-magical
people, known as "muggles", the name and reputation of Albus
Dumbledore was known, respected and feared only within the
community of Wizards. The outside world, the world of "muggles",
had no knowledge of Albus Dumbledore.

Albus Dumbledore is constantly operating in the background.
His knowledge of magic, both white and dark, is immense. He
travels throughout the realm in order to uncover the evil secrets
of dark magic; he is aware of its implements, practitioners, and
fanatics. He possesses the power, Wisdom and magical skills
that keeps evil magic at bay.

Perhaps the most powerful and darkest secret discovered by
Dumbledore was that of the various horcrux's which Lord
Voldermort created and magically concealed throughout the realm;
each of which held a portion of his dark and powerful soul.

It was imperative that Dumbledore locate and destroy each of
the horcurx's in order to weaken the power of Lord Voldermort.
However, in doing so, Dumbledore carelessly mishandled one
horcrux and its black magic entered his hand; eventually leading
to his doom.

At  Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry there is a fellow
Wizard by the name of Severus Snape. Snape was a very close,
lifelong friend of Dumbledore. However, Snape was also in league
with the Dark Lord Voldermort; a fact of which Dumbledore was
fully Aware. And it was Snape who entered into a pact with
Dumbledore to mercifully end Dumbledore's life before the poison
from the horcrux would be too much for Dumbledore to bear.

In this friendship between Snape and Dumbledore we recognize
the ancient Archetype of "dearest friend, dearest enemy". How
often do we find ourselves confronted by this mythological
Archetype when a very painful and burdenful Decision must be
made which involves someone very near and dear to us?

Now, although Harry Potter did meet up with Dumbledore after
his demise, it was only in an afterlife realm when Harry himself
had been mortally wounded and was on the verge of his own
physical death. Dumbledore, however, did not ever re-appear in
the physical realm again.

In mythology, the death of a hero is often followed by a re-birth
in the same physical realm. This "death" is Symbolic of an
Initiation Ceremony; where the hero "dies" in a lower degree of
existence in order to be "re-born" into a much higher degree of
existence. This does not happen with Dumbledore. Dumbledore,
in fact, dies a true mortal death and can only be "re-visited" again
in the afterlife. Therefore, there is no Initiation of Dumbledore by
way of a "symbolic death" to a higher earthly degree as is often
found in stories of this type.

Gandalf:

Unlike Dumbledore, who is involved with a myriad of
bureaucracies and whose name is known only to those in the
Wizarding community, Gandalf is a Wizard whose name is
known to all. He is a Wizard of the world and he freely Travels
through all of its realms.

The name and reputation of Gandalf is not only known to the
world of men, it is also spoken of with reverence by elves, dwarfs,
the trees of the forests (Ents), the great eagles of the air,
Elemental Beings - including the powerful, magical and
mystical Tom Bombadil, and yes, even among Hobbits.

It is almost impossible to imagine Gandalf becoming involved
with the pettiness and bickering of any bureaucracy when he
has the power to simply rid the world of such foolishness.
The concerns of Gandalf are only of issues of the greatest
importance.

Gandalf has the experience of many Ages. He has seen the rise
and fall of many empires. He has witnessed the horrific battlefields
created by man. He has observed the to-and-fro dance between
good and evil throughout millennia. His Wisdom, skills and powers
have been earned and honed throughout the immeasurable durations
of Time.

And because Gandalf is an ancient Wizard of the World, his dress
is that of a seasoned traveler. His Wizard's robes and hat are the
comfortable and protective garments that can endure any type of
weather or hardship. And, his Wizard's Staff supports him and
assists him in wielding his power and Authority wherever he
Chooses to roam.

Whereas Dumbledore experienced an actual physical death,
Gandalf experiences an Initiatory death and rebirth in the Mines
of Moria. Here we see Tolkien describe for us an Initiation Process
of the most ancient kind; and he presents it to us in a way that
only a master of mythology can.

Gandalf enters the dark, deep Mines of Moria as Gandalf the Gray,
where he battles the balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dum.
It is during this battle that Gandalf the Gray "dies", in order to be
reborn as Gandalf the White.

The color gray is a combination of the colors black and white.
Symbolically, this tells us that regardless of how powerful Gandalf
may have been when he entered the Mines of Moria - his dark
Womb of Initiation - he had still not yet achieved ultimate
transformation and power in the physical realm.

The balrog Symbolizes Gandalf's Inner Demons which Gandalf
must grapple with and subdue in order to be elevated to a higher
degree of Illumination and Wisdom. The balrog helps Gandalf
"slay" his lower-self (the gray). In turn, Gandalf "slays" the balrog
- his final Inner Demon - in order to now become Self-Initiated into
a much higher order of Wizard: Gandalf the White.

Just as Dumbledore had his Snape, Gandalf had his Saruman.
However, as Dumbledore knew his adversary Gandalf did not.
It is almost impossible to imagine that Gandalf, who is now
Gandalf the White, could be deceived by anything or anyone.
Yet, it happened. And herein is the Lesson that no matter how
Wise we may Become, deception will still overcome us should
we Choose to close our eyes to the Truth which is staring us
directly in the face.

Saruman was a White Wizard of the highest order who Gandalf
Perceived to be pure, noble and beyond reproach. And it is because
Gandalf's eyes were "glossed over" by Saruman's title of "White
Wizard of the Highest Order", that Gandalf could not see the
treachery that was standing before him; for Saruman had been
coerced into joining forces with the darkest of evils: Sauron, the
forger and controlling master of the Rings of Power.

From the moment Gandalf entered Saruman's magical  tower
we, as readers, could see that something was amiss. For
Saruman's Words and demeanor toward Gandalf warned that
he was no longer the White Wizard who was an adversary of
Sauron, but that he was now in league with this most feared
Master of Darkness.

By the time Gandalf finally realized what Saruman had become
it was almost too late for Gandalf. And it took a spectacular
rescue by an eagle, which Gandalf was ultimately able to summon,
that saved Gandalf from his doom and Middle-Earth from total
submission.

The Lesson we have here is that people, regardless of how pure
and noble they once may have been, can Change. Also, we learn
that "titles" are meaningless. A "title", by itself, does not make a
person noble, honorable, respectable or authoritative. Only a
persons steadfast and perpetual Actions in these particular areas
make him, or her, so.

Therefore, this particular Lesson ultimately teaches us that it is our
sole responsibility to be constantly Aware of all actions, interactions,
Events and conditions which confront us as we journey through our
personal Incarnation. For only unwavering Awareness enables us to
see things for what they truly are, and not for what we falsely and
desperately Hope they should be.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2013

Traveling (Symbol, Metaphor, I Ching)

"All journeys have secret destinations
of which the traveler is unaware."
- Martin Buber, philosopher and theologian

Although many of us may be unaware of it, we spend a great deal
of our time Traveling. Traveling does not merely consist of the
occasional vacation we may take to some distant land; this is
merely recreational traveling. Metaphorical and metaphysical
Traveling, however, occurs within us. It is an integral part of our
Current Incarnation. We engage in this type of Traveling when a
segment of our life comes to a close, or when we enthusiastically
make plans to embark upon new Adventures and "tackle" new
endeavors.

Whenever we make plans to Change our lives, however large or
small these plans may be, we are mentally and metaphysically
embracing Traveling. We realize that a magic moment has been
sparked within us. Our mind and intuition tell us that the time has
arrived for us to "move on".

There are basically three types of Traveling: Traveling away from
something; Traveling towards something; or, Traveling due to
Curiosity. Let's take a quick look at all three of these types of
Traveling.

Traveling away from something: We do this kind of Traveling
for one of two reasons: either to avoid danger, or to run away from
a problem of our own creation.

When we Travel in order to escape a real danger, we are doing so
for self-protection and peace of mind. This is a legitimate form of
Travel and is a highly recommended precaution we should take in
order to protect our physical and mental well being.

However, if we are Traveling in order to run away from a problem
of our own creation, Traveling will do us no good. For until we can
finally stand up to, conquer, and exorcise the Inner Demons which
are responsible for the problems of our own creation, the calamities
we have created for ourselves at our past destinations will be the
same calamities which will be awaiting us at all of our future
destinations. We cannot run away from who we currently are. We
can only Change who we currently are so that the problems of our
Past do not accompany us into our future.

Traveling toward something: In its most esoteric sense, this
type of Traveling is represented by hexagram number 56 of the
"I Ching". Hexagram 56 Symbolizes "Traveling" and it follows
hexagram number 55 which Symbolizes "Prosperity". Hexagram
56 teaches us that after a period of Prosperity, or Abundance, has
completed its Cycle in our life, a Time for Traveling and "moving on"
is upon us.

This reminds us that once a certain achievement, purpose, or
plateau of our life has come to a successful conclusion, the time
has come for us to set our sights upon our next higher purpose.
It is now time to embrace Sacrifice and pursue the journey which
will ultimately lead us to the next elevated plateau of our
Current Incarnation. This transition period is generally a time of
temporary stagnation which must be endured by us so that we
can learn new skills and Wisely prepare ourselves for the next
upward step in our life.

Traveling due to Curiosity: Of all the reasons for someone to
Travel, this is perhaps the purest and noblest reason of all. For
the realm of Curiosity is the Adventure-land of the Seeker, the
Lone Wolf, and Wizards and Wanderers.

Those who Choose to Travel in the realm of Curiosity do so for
the rewards that this kind of Traveling can bestow upon them.
These Travelers seek knowledge in order to turn it into Wisdom.
They acquire new friendships and acquaintances for the
experiences and Lessons that can be gained from these individuals.
They are continually mastering the necessary new skills that enable
them to journey into the most distant Horizons of their current
earthly Adventure.

These Travelers are humble Wayfarers anxious to explore the
invisible Paths that lead to the Secret and Mysterious. They follow
the same irresistible calling of all Master Teachers and Trailblazers
who have come before them; a calling to blaze a trail which opens
up new Horizons for not only the Traveler, but for all those who will
eventually follow these Traveler's Path.

Their ultimate destination is not their immediate concern. For they
realize that their final destination can never be attained in the
material realm. Their journey is a never-ending Adventure which
beckons these unique Travelers to continually ascend to higher and
higher realms until they eventually reach the highest realm of all:
the Realm of Unity, Peace, and Enlightenment.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010

Egyptian Weighing Of The Heart (Symbol And Metaphor)

(image via Wikipedia)

In the Egyptian Book Of The Dead we encounter a Ceremony called
the "Weighing Of The Heart" in which the deceased Pharaoh is led
into the underworld by Anubis, the Egyptian Neter who is the
"Guardian of the Way". There the Pharaoh's heart is placed upon
the Scales of Justice and weighed against the Feather of Maat.

If the weight of the Pharaoh's heart was less than, or equal to, the
weight of the Feather, he was then led onward to meet Osiris who
welcomed the recently deceased Pharaoh into the afterlife. However,
if the Pharaoh's heart weighed more than the Feather of Maat, the
Pharaoh was immediately devoured by Ammit, a beast with the
head of a crocodile, the front legs and body of a lion, and the back
legs of a hippopotamus.

This "Day of Judgement", as it is referred to in other religious texts,
may strike us as a hideous trial which is imposed upon the recently
deceased Pharaoh. However, powerful Lessons are often contained
within "stories" which rattle our emotions and strike fear into our
imagination. But, as we shall see, the "Weighing of the Heart"
Ceremony is actually a powerful metaphor, a teaching tool, which
reveals to the Seeker and Initiate an ancient and eternal Truth.

Although the "Weighing Of The Heart" Ceremony contains a great
deal of Symbolism, we need only to focus on the following five
Symbols to understand the Lesson contained within this particular
Ritual: The Pharaoh, the Feather of Maat, the Heart, the beast
Ammit, and the Underworld.

Pharaoh: This is a Symbol, and a Metaphor, which teaches us that
just as the Pharaoh is the ruler of a material kingdom, so too are we
Pharaohs of our own personal kingdom: the kingdom of our mind,
body and Spirit. A kingdom for which we alone bear the sole
responsibility for either its expansion or demise.

Heart: The Heart is the Spiritual Center of our physical body. It is a
Symbol for our Inner Temple in which our Atman (our God-Within)
and our Divine Nature reside.

Feather of Maat: The Feather represents the most minuscule
weight. In the "Weighing Of The Heart" Ceremony, the Feather is
a Symbol for perfect balance, weightlessness, Harmony, and
equilibrium.

Ammit: The beast Ammit Symbolizes our Inner Demons which we
must continually grapple with as we Journey through our Current
Incarnation. Either we boldly conquer our Inner Demons, or they
end up devouring us.

Underworld: The Underworld is that dark, silent place within
each one of us. The Underworld Symbolizes a place where a
"rite of passage" occurs. It is a place of Initiation, deep within
ourselves, where we must go to in order to resolve our dilemmas
and to grapple with, and conquer, our Inner Demons. It is a place
of Decision, Contemplation, and Growth. We do not return from
the Underworld as the same person who originally entered into it.

There is a natural order which prevails throughout the Universe.
The Ancient Egyptians called this natural order Maat.

When we are in perfect Balance with Maat, we experience Peace,
Harmony, and light-heartedness in our life. It is during these times
that we find ourselves in control of both sides of Duality and our
Heart weighs less than the Feather of Maat.

When we are out-of-balance with Maat, we experience stress.
Stress is nothing more than an "unbalanced energy" which the
Qabalists call Qliphoth. These are the times when our Hearts are
"heavier than the Feather of Maat" and we find ourselves grappling
with our Inner Demons, our Ammits, until Balance and Harmony is
restored within us.

Our life is one long Journey of Decisions and Choices. And, as
all major decisions must be "weighed" cautiously and deliberately,
these are the times when we find ourselves retreating into our own
Underworld within ourselves (Our Subconscious) to grapple with
the various dilemmas and demons which confront us during our
times of indecision and strife. We begin our Underworld Journey
with confusion, uncertainty, and a degree of fear. Or, to state it
metaphorically, we begin our Journey into our Underworld with
a "heavy heart".

However, slowly we begin to unravel our dilemmas and conquer
our Inner Demons. When we are done with this particular "rite of
passage", our dilemmas become clear and our Inner Demons vanish.

Once our Inner Demons are conquered, and our confusions are
clearly resolved, we can leave our Underworld with the "lightest of
hearts", proceed upon the Path of our Current Incarnation, pursue
our Personal Destiny, fulfill our Dreams, and bask in the Peace,
Contentment, and Simplicity of our personal kingdom.

Throughout the course of Our Current Incarnation it is very easy for
us to acquire a "heavy heart" by way of burdens which are heaped
upon us, not only by ourselves, but by all of the various aspects of
society. These difficult to recognize burdens are covered in depth in
the articles on "Sin", "Karma" and "Guilt, Threats and Obligations".

See also: 
"Sin and Judgment Day"
"The Feather As A Symbol"
"Maat - Egyptian Goddess"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010

Our Inner Demons

What are our Inner Demons?

They are the fears, despairs, frustrations, disappointments, and
heartaches we carry within ourselves. They are the Thoughts,
Feelings and Personal Issues which reside within us that bind us,
torment us and prevent us from experiencing Peace, Harmony,
Contentment and Spiritual Freedom. They are negative energies.

We have two Choices when it comes to handling our Inner Demons.
We can either confront them face-to-face and conquer them, or we
can attempt to "run away" and hide from them.

Because our Inner Demons reside within us, as hard as we may try,
we can never run away and hide from them. To attempt to do so
sentences us to a life of fear and bondage because our Inner Demons
will never run and hide from us. Our Inner Demons are the
schoolyard and neighborhood bully that will never leave us alone
and permit us to live in peace. Should we attempt to run and hide
from our Inner Demons we will live a life of misery because we can
never run away from that which resides within us.

Therefore, the only true option we have is to confront our Inner
Demons, whatever they may be, and eliminate them. This is an
inner battle that is the most up-close and personal battle we will
ever experience. It is a battle which takes place on the emotional
and psychological battlefield within us. It is a battle which no one
else can fight for us; we must face our Inner Demons alone.

However, although we must face these Demons alone, we are not
really alone. Within each one of us there is an Inner Guide, our
God Within, our Atman who is with us at all times to offer Divine
Guidance and Spiritual Direction.

A wonderful metaphor describing this Inner Battle in handed down
to us in the Bhagavad Gita. In it Arjuna, the warrior, is having a
discussion with Krishna, his charioteer. Arjuna is about to go into
a great battle against his relatives and kinsmen on the plane of
Kurukshetra the following morning.

The discussion between Arjuna and Krishna involves the inner
conflicts which Arjuna is experiencing having to do with slaying
his relatives and kinsmen in this great upcoming battle. Krishna
counsels Arjuna and explains to him why he must fight this battle,
slay his relatives and kinsmen, and emerge victorious.

As a story, this sounds like a cruel and inhumane venture which
Arjuna is about to embark upon. However, as a Metaphor, it is a
classic lesson about Personal Enlightenment achieved with the aid
of Divine Guidance.

The Symbolism contained within the Bhagavad Gita is a beautiful
Lesson as to how, and why, we must confront, and slay, our Inner
Demons.

Arjuna symbolizes our Self.

Krishna, the charioteer, is our Inner Guide, our God Within, our
Atman.

The Chariot signifies that the confrontation will be up-close,
personal and face-to-face.

The Relatives and Kinsmen represent our Inner Demons. Our
Inner Demons are those personal, and related, parts of our
consciousness which we are attempting to conquer and oust.

Kurukshetra is our inner battlefield. This is the only place where
we can confront, do battle with, and vanquish our Inner Demons.
The Bhagavad Gita is the story of invoking and trusting Divine
Guidance in order to gain Peace and Enlightenment. And, although
we must fight this battle alone, we are not truly alone. We have
Divine Guidance, our personal Charioteer, our Krishna, our Atman
assisting us throughout every battle we must fight with each of our
Inner Demons.

Another Symbolic Metaphor which pertains to slaying our Inner
Demons is the hidden meaning contained within the Image of
Saint George Slaying The Dragon. In this painting Saint George,
riding upon a white horse, thrusts his spear into the Dragon.

The Horse is a Symbol of travel; a journey.

The color White symbolizes Purity and Enlightenment.

The Lance symbolizes battle at close quarters.

The Dragon symbolizes an Inner Demon.

Saint George represents our Self.

Again, we have the Lesson that throughout our Journey toward
Enlightenment we will occasionally have to confront, and slay, our
Inner Demons. A battle which can only be fought alone, and at close
quarters. However, we are never truly alone as we always have
Divine Enlightenment to Guide us throughout our Journey.
We must never lose sight of the fact that our Inner Demons are
merely the Specters and Ghosts which we have allowed to enter
into our minds and feelings. Once we understand our Inner Demons
for what they are we can confront them, defeat them, and forever
banish them from our Personal Domain.

                                                            (Image via Wikipedia)

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

The Call To Adventure (Part 2)

(This article is the explanation, and conclusion, of
The Call To Adventure)

What is this Call To Adventure? It is a personal Calling we receive
that challenges us to experience our True Path. It is an irresistible
beckoning that tests the very limits of our mind and spirit. It is the
unsilenceable Voice of Destiny that creates legends and heroes.
It is a Fantasy. It is an Obsession that has attracted, and enchanted,
numerous Seekers and Adventurers since the earliest beginnings of
Time.

Once we accept the Call to Travel our Path of Destiny there is no
turning back. Nothing can discourage us. Difficulties cannot stop us.
Fear will not deter us. Our pursuit is unrelentless and we cannot
interrupt, or stop, our Quest until we solve the Mystery of who we
are, what we can become, and what we can achieve.

Our Call To Adventure begins with a Stranger "knocking on our
door". This Stranger will sometimes be a real person who awakens
within us our desire to fulfill our Destiny and pursue our Dreams.
However, it is usually a nagging "feeling" within us that unsettles us,
rousts us from our laziness and comforts, and stirs us to Action.

Legend, Literature, and Myth tell of many Strangers who appeared
in someone's life and presented them with The Call To Adventure.
Here are just a few:

Glinda, The Good Witch Of The North, who directed Dorothy
to Oz and, eventually, back "home" to Kansas.
Albus Dumbledore, whose guidance enabled Harry Potter to
defeat the Dark Lord, Voldemort.
Gandalf, who knocked on Bilbo Baggins' door and Changed his
life forever.
Princess Leia, who beckoned Luke Skywalker to a galaxy far, far
away to face his Destiny in a battle with Darth Vader, his father.

At some point we either embrace Our Call or we discard it forever.
Those who accept "The Call" experience the Adventure of Traveling
their own Path and creating their own Destiny. Those who ignore
"The Call" will never experience the adventures of the Pilgrim, the
Wanderer, and the Seeker. To these people the Stranger may never
appear to them again.

But, who is this Stranger? It is a Voice, a Burning Desire, a Wizard
or Temptress Within, that entices, inspires, and bewitches us to
pursue our own Destiny and Travel our own Path. For the True
Seeker The Call of the Stranger neither disappears nor diminishes.
For this individual there is only one option: accept "The Call" and
experience the Adventure.

The Great Task is our Personal Destiny. We all enter this life with
our One Great Task: the fulfillment of our very own Personal
Destiny. Either we Choose to pursue it or we Choose to ignore it.

The Path is our own Special Path that leads to our Personal
Destiny. It is a Path that no one has Traveled before us and a
Path that no one will ever Travel after us. There has never been
another's Footprint on this Path. If WE do not Travel Our Path it
will go untraveled for all eternity and the Destiny that lies at its
end will never be realized.

Our Enemies are our own personal fears, doubts and insecurities.
They are our Demons Within that only we can conquer. It is by
vanquishing and banishing these Demons from our Personal
Kingdom that we gain Inner Strength and experience our Full
Potential.

The Guides are the many different Teachers we meet along Our
Way. They provide us with knowledge and teach us all the skills we
require to defeat our Demons and complete our Great Task.
However, these Guides can only prepare us. We must always face
our Demons, and our Final Test, alone. This is the only way it can
be. And, who knows, perhaps someday we ourselves may be a
Guide assisting another Traveler along their very own Personal
Path.

Darkness. In this instance, Darkness represents Ignorance.
However, Darkness is banished by Light (Enlightenment).
Enlightenment is the acquiring of the Skills and Knowledge that
enable us to conquer Ignorance. Enlightenment is Wisdom!

When the Stranger tells us that "We are more capable than
we know", he is telling us that we have Latent Talents sleeping
within us that, once awakened, can accomplish the most
Fascinating Deeds.

The Great Darkness represents Great Failure. It is when we
"allow" our fears, doubts, and insecurities (our Demons Within)
to conquer us. It is the relinquishing of our Individual Sovereignty.
It is "accepting" to be at the mercy and Decisions of others; to live
someone else's life; to experience someone else's Destiny. When we
CHOOSE The Great Darkness we forfeit both our Dreams and our
Personal Destiny. We can no longer experience who we truly are
and all that we can become.

It is by accepting our Call To Adventure, Traveling Our Path to
its End, vanquishing our Demons Within, and fulfilling our Personal
Destiny that we experience The Adventure Of A Lifetime!

(See also: The Call To Adventure)

THE MANY EXCELLENT WRITINGS OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL
CONTAIN ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS ON MYTH AND THE CALL
TO ADVENTURE.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
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Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2008