The Hero’s Journey: Discerning our Spiritual Path
The Hero’s Journey: Discerning our Spiritual Path
Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24, 2026
Led by Erika Murphy
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls. ~ Joseph Campbell
The events and challenges of our lives often leave us with a sense of confusion or incoherence, leaving us wondering where the Spirit is on our spiritual journey. If we reframe our stories symbolically through an archetypal lens, we emerge with a new outlook that celebrates each of us as the main character in our own spiritual quest. Joseph Campbell famously outlined the mythic path of the human journey that begins with a call to adventure and culminates with a transformed return to the world, a pattern exemplified by the lives of great spiritual leaders such as Jesus and Buddha. We see this pattern play out across all cultures and time periods, from ancient fairy tales and myths to novels and modern movies. Over the course of the weekend, we will explore how our own stories take on deeper meaning when we contextualize them as part of Campbell’s mythic journey. This weekend retreat will include an examination of the main stages of the Hero’s Journey, reflective journaling, guided meditation, and group discussion that will help us consider the full range and depth of our journey’s purpose. We will also talk about tools that help keep us connected to our soul’s deepest desires amid the activity of our everyday lives. Together, we will venture beyond the mundane and discover the abundant richness inherent in each of our life stories.
Erika Murphy, Ph.D., M.Div., LSW, leads classes, retreats, and workshops that offer practical tools and guidance for the spiritual journey. As a certified mindfulness instructor, Erika teaches meditation as a stress-reduction tool that supports spiritual discernment. Her theological studies and personal meditation practice have led her to explore the rich mystical teachings at the heart of all religious traditions. Using classical techniques such as mantra, prayer, and contemplation, Erika offers a space for each person to explore their unique connection to the divine.
