Are you starting to understand that you have been on a Hero’s Journey? In Part One, we went through four of the twelve stages of the Hero’s Journey. These are challenging phases, but I hope something in your story resonates with the path traveled so far. This article will cover the following four stages as we cross the threshold and enter the Special World. Our first encounter in the Special World will be tests, allies, and enemies, followed by Approaching the Inmost Cave and the critical Ordeal phase. Let’s continue.
Phase 5: Crossing the Threshold
We arrive at the moment we decide to step into the unknown. It’s the first meeting at a recovery group, the call to a treatment center, or reaching out to other recovery resources. It’s terrifying. We’re leaving behind the world we’ve known — even if that world was hurting us. Despite the fear, we could no longer rationalize staying where we were.
Crossing the threshold is about courage. It’s saying, “I’m ready to fight for my life.” It doesn’t mean we have all the answers or that the road ahead will be easy. It just means we are willing to take the first step. We surrender to the call much like we surrender any illusion that we can control our drinking like other people.
“Star Wars”: There are two pivotal moments leading to Luke crossing the threshold. The first is a minor one when Obi-Wan hands Luke a lightsaber, connecting him to his heritage and the order of the Jedi. The gift also plants the seed that Luke may become a mystic warrior. The second moment is much more traumatic and taps into that deep power that comes when one becomes enraged.
One night, R2-D2 flees the farm. Upon finding out, Luke seeks Obi-Wan’s help, which leads to a trip to the Jundland Wastes in search of the droid. Unbeknownst to them, the Empire was searching for the droid as well. Upon returning — after retrieving R2-D2 — they find the farm left in flames, along with the remains of Luke’s aunt and uncle. When the imperial stormtroopers did not find R2-D2 at the farm, they destroyed everything.
This devastating loss cuts Luke’s ties to Tatooine and ignites rage within him. By this time, he is aware of the destruction and evil plans the Galactic Empire has for the Galaxy. While he was sympathetic to the suffering of others before, he has now experienced suffering and destruction personally. Although he still has a choice, the call grows too strong to ignore, and his rising rage ultimately drives his decision.
With Obi-Wan Kenobi’s guidance and the promise of learning the ways of the Force — the mystical power wielded by the Jedi — Luke agrees to join Obi-Wan on a trip to Princess Leia’s home planet on Alderaan, referenced in her message recorded in R2-D2. She set out on a mission to find Obi-Wan and take him to Alderaan to help the rebels, but the Empire captured her. Leaving for Alderaan is Luke’s physical crossing of the threshold.
Act II: Initiation (The Special World)
Phase 6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies
This stage of the Hero’s Journey is where we build lasting relationships beyond the ones we have with our mentor. We face tests and encounter allies who often share the same tests or journey. We also come into more direct contact with our enemies or evil forces that may have initiated our journey.
Challenges are lined up at the door as we enter the special recovery world. Living life on life’s terms is not our thing. Triggers, cravings, self-doubt, and other setbacks are waiting to test us. Sometimes, the odds feel stacked against us, and early in recovery, we fail to recognize that we stacked them ourselves.
Early sobriety brings many triggers: walking by a favorite bar, attending a family gathering, or handling stress without the crutch of alcohol. These tests are more than external circumstances; they reflect the internal struggles often faced by a hero. We ask ourselves questions like, “Am I strong enough?” and “Do I deserve this chance at a new life?” that remind us of these struggles. Success in these trials isn’t about perfectionism but resilience and learning from setbacks.
But here’s the beautiful thing: We are not alone. Allies are everywhere if we choose to embrace them. We need fellow addicts who share their stories, sponsors who guide us, and friends and family who cheer us on. They remind us of our strength and keep us moving forward.
We must remember to be open to where our allies may appear. A classic example of not seeing an ally comes to us in the “Harry Potter” franchise. Throughout the story, Harry sees Professor Snape as a villainous character who is out to get Harry. Later, we learn that Snape acts in Harry’s best interest out of deep loyalty to Harry’s mother. The lesson is a key one in recovery. Perhaps we meet people in 12-step meetings who share their experiences in a harsh, seemingly judgmental manner. Are they being hard on us out of some nastiness on their part, or are they giving us sage advice with no sugarcoating?
Enemies in recovery can be both obvious and subtle. The internal enemies are often the most dangerous — self-doubt, shame, and the cunning voice of addiction that whispers, “Just one drink won’t hurt.” These inner demons challenge us to confront our fears and reshape our narrative.
Externally, enemies may be enablers, toxic relationships, or societal pressures. A coworker who insists on “just one beer” or a past drinking buddy who doesn’t understand the Hero’s need for change can represent direct challenges to sobriety. Navigating these dynamics requires strength and clarity about our new boundaries, which are essential for recovery.
As the Hero progresses through this phase, we trust ourselves again. As we develop relationships and overcome obstacles, we start building resilience. We move another step forward, closer to the goal: a life of meaning, free from the chains of addiction. This stage is the heart of the recovery journey, where the Hero begins to see that the person they’ve always wanted to be has been inside them all along.
“Star Wars”: This journey phase is less cut and dry than other phases. For Luke, the tests, allies, and enemies will include some things that have already happened and others we will not encounter until later in the story.
The tests come in several different areas. A straightforward test was Luke deciding to leave Tatooine, which we have already covered. Another significant test is Luke’s training with Obi-Wan to become a Jedi. The training is challenging and a test of Luke’s patience. Also, during the visit to Mos Eisley Cantina to find transport to Princess Leia’s home planet, Luke successfully stands up to an underworld character, showing his growing courage. Lastly, the infiltration of the Death Star we encounter in the next phase is a significant test.
Luke’s allies grow as he progresses through his journey. We start with Obi-Wan and the loyal droids C3-PO and R2-D2. Then we encounter Han Solo and his partner Chewy, a massive hairy Wookiee, at the Mos Eisley Cantina, who soon become key allies. Next, we will meet Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance working to destroy the Empire.
The main enemy is the Intergalactic Empire, whose main villain is Darth Vader, a Jedi who has turned to the dark side of the mystical Force the Jedi possess. The Stormtroopers, soldiers of the Empire, are an ever-present threat along the journey. Lastly, mercenaries have been hired across the Galaxy to track down and capture Luke and his friends.
Phase 7: Approach to the Inmost Cave
The Inmost Cave is pivotal in the Hero’s Journey. It’s where we face our deepest fears, unresolved issues, or the darker aspects of our reality. These issues are likely what has been fueling our addiction. This preparation phase is needed to bolster the Hero for the fight ahead.
In recovery, the call to approach the inmost cave often begins with the growing awareness that superficial solutions are no longer enough. When we are early in recovery, our efforts are more focused on not drinking, attending meetings, and starting to restore our sanity. However, as we progress through the steps of AA, we are forced to examine our inner landscape, where the roots of addiction often reside.
For some, this call emerges during Step Four of Alcoholics Anonymous: making a fearless and searching moral inventory. The inventory is the cave’s entrance, providing a roadmap to working Steps Five through Nine. The work is raw and uncomfortable — but also necessary.
As the Hero approaches the inmost cave, internal resistance and external challenges often emerge. Facing one’s innermost truths requires vulnerability, a prospect that can feel terrifying. Our ego may fear that we will feel overwhelming pain or self-loathing in light of exploration, urging us not to proceed. The voice of self-doubt can grow louder: “Am I strong enough to do this?” or “What if I’m not ready?” These doubts act as gatekeepers, testing the Hero’s commitment.
Also, the fear and anxiety of the process may lead us to think that it would just be easier to relapse and make it all go away for a while. Though turning back is tempting, our courage drives us forward, knowing the journey’s rewards — authenticity, healing, and freedom — await on the other side. No hero walks the path entirely alone. Fortunately, we have developed allies who offer us support, guidance, and wisdom. We also have tools like prayer and meditation to seek support.
The inmost cave is not a place of defeat but a launching pad for growth. For those in recovery, approaching this phase is a testament to our resilience and commitment to change. As we step into the cave, we carry the weight of our struggles and the promise of redemption and renewal.
“Star Wars”: The Inmost Cave phase of Luke Skywalker’s Hero’s Journey in “Star Wars: A New Hope” occurs when he, Han Solo, a smuggler evolving into a hero himself, and other allies infiltrate the Death Star to rescue Princess Leia. The Death Star is a gargantuan Imperial space station with a planet-destroying laser representing a descent into danger for Luke.
The Death Star symbolizes the heart of the enemy’s power and Luke’s first significant test. The rescue of Princess Leia represents an escalation of the mission, drawing them deeper into the enemy stronghold. The mission to the Death Star and subsequent rescue of the Princess teaches Luke that he can face great danger and overcome it. His experiences are critical preparation for the upcoming ordeal phase.
Phase 8: The Ordeal
In the journey, our Hero will now approach The Ordeal that will further test us and show our resilience in action. We have left our familiar world, encountered allies, enemies, and tests, and faced the inmost cave. We must prepare to face our greatest challenge, the battle that changes everything.
For a recovering alcoholic, it might be a relapse that forces us to recommit or a moment of temptation that we overcome. It’s the moment we prove to ourselves that we’re stronger than our addiction. The moment may come when working the ninth step, making our amends, or encountering a severe test of our sobriety, such as a triggering event or a crisis that threatens our newfound stability.
Unlike earlier phases, the ordeal will undoubtedly expose our insecurities and fears of failure. The situation is tense as fear, doubt, and resistance naturally arise. What we experience is not a sign of weakness but an acknowledgment of the ordeal’s significance. As recovering alcoholics approach our ordeal, we must trust in the process and our growth so far. We have successfully overcome the tests in our path so far, but this moment holds the promise of transformation.
Facing the ordeal head-on, with courage and faith, will empower the Hero to emerge stronger, wiser, and closer to the person we aspire to be. It is a reminder that the most profound growth often comes from embracing life’s toughest challenges with an open heart and a steadfast spirit.
“Star Wars”: Luke’s ordeal also occurs during the Death Star mission. Obi-Wan faces off in a deadly battle with Darth Vader, a Jedi knight who was once a mentee of Obi-Wan, who turned to the dark side of the Jedi force. As Luke is escaping back to the spaceship, he sees the battle taking place. Obi-Wan sees Luke, lowers his weapon in sacrifice, and tells Luke to run.
Rather than break down, Luke heeds Obi-Wan’s advice and runs to complete the escape with the rescued Princess. This further fuels Luke’s fire against the Empire, as they have destroyed his family and mentor. Luke must now come to grips with continuing his journey without his mentor, who has been his rock and steady source of guidance as he navigated the earlier phases. The loss of Obi-Wan is a massive loss for Luke.
Conclusion
We have made it through two-thirds of the Hero’s Journey. The journey intensifies for the subsequent two phases until we reach the end. We never truly reach the end, as we are on a lifetime journey. We may find ourselves on different adventures that take us through the phases again as well. In the final article, we will receive our initial reward, embark on the road back, have our resurrection, and return with the Elixir. Stay tuned! Part Three to follow next week!
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER – STOICISM: The Hero’s Journey of a Recovering Addict – Part One
SOBER POP CULTURE: Fun fact! We have a special section JUST for Star Wars nerds! It includes the 12 Steps in a Star Wars version, levels of sobriety inspired by Star Wars, the 12 Steps in a Yoda version, a Grogu mocktail recipe, merch, and a fun video of The Sober Curator contributors celebrating May the Sober Fourth Be With You (2024).
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER – A STOIC SOBRIETY with Tony Harte: With 35 years of sobriety, Tony shares his experience, strength, and hope online. His blog is a mix of educational articles, Stoic insights, and practical advice, all aimed at helping others find their path to recovery. He’s proof that even a ‘spiritual gangster’ can find peace and purpose.
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