What is wisdom and how does it relate to the hero's journey?

(preview of new study guide material)

Wisdom is direct realization with the true nature of reality.

(see related but much longer topic: What is the Imperishable?)

Though it is not obvious how all wise acts are related to the Imperishable nature of existence, they are, nevertheless all symptomatic of the degree to which the actor's consciousness has been attuned to this Truth.

Storytime: A Hindu ascetic lay down beside the river Ganges and placed his feet up on a Siva-symbol.

A priest said, "You profane this symbol of God!"

"I'm sorry, but would you kindly place my feet where there is no such sacred symbol?"

The priest seized him by the ankles and moved his feet but wherever they touched ground a Siva-symbol emerged.

"Ah, I see!" said the priest, humbled, and he apologized to the saint and went his way.

Failure to copy with life ("un-wisdom") is symptomatic of a restriction of consciousness.

In plain language: we don't see life for what it really is (self-deception, delusion, projection).

The Hero's Journey is a generic formula for the elevation of consciousness (wisdom)

You study its patterns.

You identify how they show up in your specific case.

You follow the path of the Hero by mirroring their great deeds.

You elevate consciousness.

The Hero's Journey doesn't just elevate the individual, it elevates society. Here's how:

The Hero faces physical problems which are really caused by psychological difficulties.

Once the hero has defeated their local, specific psychological difficulties, they come into contact with universally experienced problems and solutions.

In victory, the Hero returns, not with a solution to their own specific problem, but a generally valid solution for problems that all of mankind face.

That wisdom.

It is symptomatic of the ability to grasp life as it is.

If you've made it to the bottom of this thread, thank you!

If anything was unclear please let me know.

Threads like these help me clarify my thinking before I go ahead and commit to adding a section to the study guide.

Cheers