March 9 The Hero's Journey

Each of the archetypes is an important part of the spiritual journey; each has a gift for the journeyer.
The Altruist teaches us to care for others.
The Warrior, the “official” hero, is revered and celebrated in the media, but in reality most of us spend our time and energy being an Altruist. We provide for our families, we look after our neighbors. A great many of us donate our time in volunteer work. Collectively, we contribute huge amounts of money to charities. We are everyday heroes.
The Warrior’s separateness and individuality are a valuable stage of the journey; the Altruist provides connection. With the Warrior we learn freedom; with the Altruist we find meaning. To ask whether the Warrior or the Altruist is more important is to ask a Winner Ladder question. In fact, both are necessary.
We are all connected, and we all affect each other. The Altruist teaches us to go beyond ourselves, to look to the needs of the family, the community, and the world, even to those who are different from ourselves. We learn to give something back.
Higher-level Altruists want to give, not out of obligation or fear of what comes after death, but because they want to, because they believe they can make a difference.
The shadow Altruist’s gifts come with strings attached. These people want to control others and do not respect their boundaries. They are the helicopter parents, who hover over their children even when they go away to college. The shadow Altruist may try to live through others instead of taking the individual spiritual journey.
Most Altruist jobs are poorly paid, low on the Winner Ladder. But they are essential. Many, many people give up higher-status jobs to take an Altruist job that provides meaning and a sense of satisfaction.
It is hard to live in peace when others around us are not doing well. If we are to have peace, we must look after the needs of everyone.