Howard Thurman wrote, “There is very great virtue in the cultivation of silence, and strength to be found in using it as a door to God.” There is an incredible …
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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Resistance and Refusal of the Call
Posted on October 14, 2025
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 …
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 …