DONT FIGHT THRESHOLD GUARDIANS, BEFRIEND THEM.
Despite my obsession with Joseph Campbell and his version of the hero’s journey (the monomyth), I had never read one of the seminal works on it — Christopher Voegler’s The Writer’s Journey. I had always preferred to get my information straight from the horses’ mouth, as it were. I read Campbell on Campbell. This year, I set out to correct that oversight.
The Writer’s Journey is Voegler’s distillation of Campbell’s theory — specifically for writers. Campbell is held up as a story expert by some, but he’s only that by proximity. Campbell’s forte was comparative religion and mythology. It’s others who have largely pointed out that his theories have a great deal to tell us about stories in general. Voegler chief among them.
If you are familiar with Campbell, as i was, reading Voegler will be an exercise, largely, in nodding. “Yes, yes. Right, right.” He takes what Campbell talked about, repeats it, clarifies it, and simplifies it. Making it easily digestible for anyone who wants to mine its’ gold for screen, script, or book writing.
There was one bit, though, that took me by surprise. One bit that has sent me back into Campbell, searching, re-reading. Voegler points out that when crossing thresholds (entering new lands or beginning new ways of thinking or living) we will often fact Threshold Guardians: beings or forces with the power or intent to block our path. Voegler suggests (and attributes the idea to Campbell), that it’s best not to fight these forces, but, instead, befriend them; make them allies.
I will confess, I don’t remember that bit of my Campbell. So, I’m off in search of it. Re-reading. But in the meantime, I’m trying it. I, like a lot of folks, can imagine potential enemies around every corner. I can imagine some folks out there might have different goals or values than mine and may actively try to stop me from achieving what I’ve set out to achieve. The natural thing to do seems like to fight them. But, lately, I’ve taken a different tack. When I see someone with the potential power to stand in my way, to stop me. I engage them. In a friendly manner. I ask questions. I show interests. Not in a conniving, disingenuous way, but truly. I try to see them for who they are, hopes, dreams, and all. Religious leaders of all stripes, throughout the ages would call this “loving your enemy.” Or your potential enemy any way.
It seems there’s a reason so many religions are sold on the idea. It works. My attempts to make friends instead of enemies has been fruitful. People I could have had conflict with, in my life, I now count as friends. Allies, even. Instead of blocking my path, they seek to help clear it. They help me on my way. It’s a much nicer way to live.
Would you like to hear the one exercise that has helped me in this endeavor more than any? Fine. I’ll tell you. I no longer rehearse arguments. You know that thing you do in the shower, or driving, or when you’re otherwise distracted? That thing where you imagine what you’d say to someon who disagreed with You? How you’d tell them off so materfully in an argument? Yeah, stop doing that. It primes you for disagreement. It sets people as enemies in your head before you even interact with them.
It’s hard. I have to remind myself to do it. I have to tell myself to stop. Especially with people that I know, historically, want to fight. But I stop myself. And I don’t relive old arguments. I give no headspace to past or potential fights.
And, I find, the more I clear this old way of being out of my mind, I have room for other things — to focus on the future, to focus on succeeding, to focus on which threshold I want to cross next.
It’s simple, but it’s not easy. We think we become the heroic version of ourselves by defeating all enemies. But maybe there’s a better way — a way that will push us farther on our path. I think there is, anway. And Voegler does. And Campbell, apparently.
