This week we dove into the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey always reminds me of an experience I had in college with GIM (Guided Imagery in Music).

GIM involves the use of carefully selected music, and a trained guide who leads the participant through a state of heightened sensory, emotional and spiritual imagery.

It was developed by Helen Bonny in the 1970’s and my school’s library had a series of classical music recordings of the music which this pioneering music therapist cultivated for her work.

While in a very relaxed state I listened to the recording in the series labeled “The Hero’s Journey”. It began with what is now one of my favorite pieces of music, the Largo from Dvořák’s New World Symphony.

As the opening notes of resounding trumpets, followed by the beautiful, floating oboe melody filled my senses I imagined myself flying through a canyon, my journey beginning…

These notes still have the power to transport me whenever I listen to them. The piece still cultivates the feeling of adventure and wonder of setting out on my own Hero’s Journey.

Tonight as I’m packing for a weekend trip I find myself thinking of the analogy of packing. If I set out on a trip, I must pack. I decide what to bring, and what to leave behind. This is of course after I’ve heeded the call – after I’ve made up my mind to take actually this trip.

I don’t want to be carrying unnecessary weight in my suitcase, worn out garments, or clothes that don’t fit me.

How often in my life am I wearing old, worn out “garments” that no longer fit me? – old definitions of myself – responses that were programmed by practice, planted into my subconscious from pieces of my past that I need to let go of and leave behind?

So I throw the expired and tired definitions of myself into the fire. I leave behind resentments and negativity. I pack all the treasures of my definite major purpose, my dharma, my future self that I am stepping into.

Before I leave my house and head to the airport I ask myself what I’m forgetting? It’s like asking myself what I’m pretending I don’t know.

As I listened to Dvořák tonight I thought about my Hero’s Journey. No one can take the steps into my future self except me and I get to decide what I’ll carry! How amazing is that? Oh, and I’m no longer pretending I don’t know that I’m powerful beyond measure.