The Call to Adventure is the challenge that is presented before the traveler.  It is the test, the thing to be faced, the hurdle to clear.  In structured initiations and rites of passage, often the challenge was built into the initiation.  The purpose of this was to insure the initiate got the opportunity to grow, and not trusting the universe to provide an adequate test, the elders and mentors of the community did so.  Other times though, as often happens, the challenge just comes from every day life or circumstances.
    The Call may be clear or subtle.  It may be a physical challenge, such as surviving an ordeal of the body.  It may be a challenge of faith, to see if one believes enough to hold onto what he or she believes.

Crossing the Threshold

    Often, the traveler must face a series of tests or obstacles to get where he wants to go.  Again, these can be literal obstacles or internal ones.  Most often, though, the Hero's Journey traveler is continually tested to see if he or she has the resolve to continue.  Like they say, if it was easy, everyone would do it....

Refusing the Call to Adventure

    While a traveler may indeed refuse to accept the Cal to Adventure, that does not remove them from the cycle.  Typically, as you know, if you ignore what needs to be done, it comes back to haunt you or be many times more difficult.  Many teens are stuck in this stage.  For example, while they might be "awake" to their need to clean up their act, get sober, finish school, etc., they fail at the implementation.  Too often, getting what they want, or need, is perceived as too difficult.  It's similar to the struggle with physical exercise: it often seems like more trouble than it is worth, but if you don't do it, well.....
    David Oldfield, for example, sees teen drug abuse not as risk taking behavior, but as a Refusal of the Call to participate in everyday life with the rest of us.  Teens check out because adult life often seems too negative or challenging for them.  Teens check out because the adults in their life are wanting on several levels, or cause the youth too much pain or anger.  Looking at addition from a Refusal standpoint gives you a whole other approach to try in addiction work

    After the Call to Adventure has been accepted and traveled for a while, the next stage is Discipline and Training.

For more information, contact Bret.

All material Copyright by Bret Stephenson 2002
unless noted otherwise.

Last Updated November 24, 2002