In Joseph Campbell’s formulation of the heroic journey, two of the eight stages of the journey involve the reluctance or refusal of the hero to participate in or to continue …
Newsletter
Explore reflections on recovery, spirituality, and personal transformation from Dr. Michael Cowl Gordon. Drawing on over 50 years in addiction medicine, each post offers insight, compassion, and a deeper path to healing.
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The Eight Stages of the Heroic Journey
Posted on October 8, 2025
In last month’s newsletter I discussed the value of thinking about addiction recovery as a heroic journey. I added that it can be guided by the twelve steps, as looked …
Campbell
Posted on September 10, 2025
Joseph Campbell was one of the premier thought leaders of the twentieth century. He popularized the idea of the heroic journey, a way of looking at life as a great …