In searching for a symbol or motif for this program of travelling
through, and growing towards wholeness in these twelve dimensions, I eventually
focussed on the idea of the “wayfarer”. A search on the internet for this term
revealed definitions such as, “pedestrian who walks from place to place”, “a
traveller going on a trip” or “a traveller, especially one on foot”. I was
initially drawn to the idea that the “wayfarer” is someone on a journey, but
then a few further useful connotations emerged.
Wayfarers are on a journey, so they are definitely heading
somewhere, but since they are walkers, the relatively relaxed nature of their
travelling means they are not in a rush. I imagine a wayfarer as someone who might
easily make little detours to “stop and smell the roses”, or assist fellow
travellers on the way. Sometimes, for such a traveller, “achieving the quest”
might even be seen as less important than the quality of the journey itself.
Given that a key assumption of the series is that we all
need to work for a sustainable environment, it seems appropriate that our
symbolic figure is travelling by foot, and thereby minimising their “collateral
damage” on the eco system.
A famous old painting of “The Wayfarer” by Hieronymus Bosch shows the
traveller carrying all his worldly possessions on his back. This is a further
reminder that we all need to lighten the amount of “stuff” that we carry with
us through life. The image also reminds us that we are all carrying “baggage”
on our journey - our experiences,
assumptions, worries, “ghosts” and strengths that shape who we are and how we
are likely to react to life’s events.
As they walk, “wayfarers” are easily able to interact with
fellow travellers along the way - wayfaring
can be a very “social” type of journey. This reminds us of the vital importance
of positive human interactions in all our quests to improve the world, and to
improve ourselves.
The “way” in the term, “wayfarer” implies a “way” of living.
In the Chinese religion of “Taoism”, the term “Tao” means “the way” and
describes “a way of living and thinking”. Similarly, the very early followers
of Jesus of Nazareth described themselves as followers of “the way”. So, I like
to think of a “wayfarer” as someone who practices a way of living and thinking - the way of “whole living”.
I can imagine our symbolic wayfarer would have much sympathy
with that famous quotation by Ettiene De Grellet, a French Quaker Missionary
born in 1773. De Grellet wrote…
I expect to pass through this world but once;
any good thing therefore that I can do,
or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,
let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.
To complete our wayfarer symbol, I have added the term,
“multi-dimensional” to convey the idea that our wayfarer is wandering through
the twelve dimensions of human development, picking up snippets of wisdom, and
gently going about the business of becoming a better person whilst leaving the
world better than when they entered it.
We each become a multi-dimensional wayfarer whenever we
decide to start a quest of personal improvement. The steps we take on that
journey will typically follow a pattern that has been around for thousands of
years. It is the pattern embedded in the universal journey-quest story or
“Wayfarer Myth”.
The
Story and the Way: the “Wayfarer Myth” and the “Road Clearing Way”
Effective story makers have known, ever since they told
their first tale around a campfire, that the way you structure a story, and
particularly a journey or quest story, has a significant influence on its power
to create suspense and hold people’s attention. Writers such as the late Joseph
Campbell and others have studied thousands of stories and myths from all
cultures of the world to reveal the elements in the structure of such effective
stories. Writers of countless novels, short stories, movie and television
scripts, comics, computer adventure games, and even television commercials have
also made use of this knowledge. Some argue there are as few as five elements
in an effective journey towards a goal, or journey-quest story. Other’s estimates
range from forty to over one hundred! I have settled on twelve elements that
seem to feature in all the theories I have encountered, as well as in every
journey-quest story I have read or watched in movies. I call these elements the
twelve stages of the “Wayfarer Myth”.
After reading a stimulating volume written in the 1970s
entitled, “The Universal Traveler” by Don Koberg and Jim Bagnall, I realized
that these same twelve story stages provide us with an effective system with
which we can tackle our own quests or problems in life. Whenever we set out to change
or transform any area of our life, we are in effect, setting out on a journey
to achieve a quest. It might not be a physical journey, but it is
effectively a movement from our current unsatisfied or “broken” state to
somewhere we perceive to be better or “whole”. This might be a movement from a
state of feeling overweight to feeling trimmer, a movement from being out of
work to a place where we have satisfying employment, a journey from feeling
miserable to a state where we feel happier, or a movement from feeling alone to
having a network of close friends. The claim of this series is that we will be more
likely to succeed in such quests if we follow the steps of a typical wayfarer
through the stages of the Wayfarer Myth. As an aid to remembering these stages,
I have called this set of steps the “Road Clearing Way (to success)”, since the
first letter of each step forms the acronym, “Road Clearing”. This acronym is
particularly appropriate because following this system will help you to clear
the obstacles from the roads of your life journeys. Here are the twelve stages in the
“Wayfarer Myth” described along with the twelve steps of the “Road Clearing
Way”. As you read through these steps, note that the “Road Clearing Way”
is simply the practical face of the “Wayfarer Myth”. It is the “Wayfarer Myth”
applied to our own lives.
The Twelve Stages of the Wayfarer Myth and Steps of the Road
Clearing Way
1. R - Recognize the
Wayfarer (and their baggage): Effective storytellers start by developing
the identity of the main character or wayfaring traveller, so we understand a
little about their background and the baggage they carry with them. We then
know who to follow and barrack for in the story. Our interaction with the main
character starts at this point.
When pursuing any quest in life such as achieving a goal or
solving a problem, this step is one where we need to reflect on the unique baggage
we bring to each problem-solving situation or journey. The word “Bags” is an
acronym for our types of baggage”. They include Background experiences such as where we lived and our family
influences, Assumptions including
beliefs, values and preferences, “Ghosts”
including past wounds, failures and disappointments, as well as present
deficiencies, character flaws and worries, and our unique set of Strengths and skills. An important part
of this reflection process is to recognize any baggage that can, and needs to
be left behind when we go on our journeys. Such items will only weigh us down
and hinder every step we take.
2. O - Own the Call (to
Transformation): Early in the plot of a journey story, the effective story
creator introduces an inciting event that generates a desire in the wayfarer
and “calls” them on a journey of transformation. This desire usually taps into
some emotional need in the wayfarer that has arisen from their “Ghosts” - such
as past failures, inadequacies, disappointments or tragedies. Underlying almost
all journey-quest stories is a move from some form of “brokenness” or
deficiency towards healing, wholeness and fulfillment.
For our quests, inciting events “call” to us in four ways.
Firstly, they present us with an event that causes us to have a strong
emotional response, which usually contains a desire we feel driven to address. Secondly,
the event and the desires pose us a “problem” that demands to be solved. These
problems typically involve life crises of some sort, but on a more trivial
level, they may even be positive events such as advertisements promising
products that will make our life happier - our “problem” then is how we get
these goods. Thirdly, our “call” also offers us an opportunity to transform our
life or our world in some way - particularly in relation to our own sense of
brokenness, deficiency or one of our deep needs for healing, forgiveness or
wholeness. Finally, our “call” demands a decision or response from us. We have
to “own” the call and take our first steps on the journey they offer, or ignore
the call and live with the consequences. Our ultimate journey to transformation
may or may not directly relate to the initial desire or perceived problem, but
the emotional response to the inciting event is what will get us started on our
quest.
3. A - Analyse the Call (state,
significance, stages, stakes and suspicions): This is the stage in a story
where the wayfarer collects their thoughts about their “call”. The effective
storyteller might describe or show the wayfarer’s emotions, physiological
responses, thoughts and behaviour (their state) as they attempt to figure out what
the inciting event might mean for them (the significance), where it might be
leading them (the stages), what might happen if they do not accept the call
(the stakes) and some initial suspicions or doubts about going on the journey.
When we encounter an inciting event in life that presents us
with a problem and opportunity, we can use the same five stages of analysis. We
might examine our state and become
aware of how we are feeling emotionally and physically after the event. We
might think about the meaning or significance
of what just happened and particularly how our feelings may relate to our
“Ghosts”. We will almost certainly consider where our response to the event
might be leading us, or the general stages
that might be involved. On one hand, we might also feel challenged by the stakes involved, and what the
consequences might be if we do not bother to respond at all. On the other hand
we may harbour some suspicions or doubts about whether this quest is really for
us.
4. D - Define the Quest (and
missions): In the light of their analysis, and despite any doubts, the wayfarer
in a journey story eventually clarifies their overall quest(s) and the specific
goals of required missions. Quests may exist on up to three levels: a public quest for the world of the
story, an inter-personal quest (for a partner or community), and a quest for
personal growth. In each case, the quest usually reflects a move towards
wholeness.
For us, the previous analysis stage enables us to use this
step to define clearly in our own terms exactly what we want and where we want
to be (our quest or overall aim), and the key stages (missions or specific
goals) that might be required to reach our destination. The goals we set also
need to be “smart” - specific, measurable, achievable in theory, realized in
vision and where possible, timed. Our quest will usually have something to do
with a move towards wholeness in some area or areas of our life.
5. C - Collect Necessary
Wisdom: This is the stage where the wayfarer sets out on their journey and
typically receives, or is reminded of necessary wisdom by “Wise Ones” and
friends encountered on the way. In stories, the wisdom usually involves
knowledge of how items work, shortcuts to take, dangerous areas to avoid, skills
required to traverse the terrain or combat enemies, and the best vantage points
to gain an overview of the journey.
In our journey, this is the step where we collect, or
recollect the essential knowledge or “wise insights” from the experts or “wise
ones” to help solve our problem or achieve our quest. The wisdom we value also
includes knowledge of how things work, shortcuts, do’s and don’ts, vital life skills
and the most helpful ways of seeing the stages of our journey - in other words,
helpful attitudes.
6. L - List Creative Responses
(for success): As they continue towards their goal, the wayfarer creatively
combines the wisdom of the wise ones with his/her own unique identity or style.
This process results in the generation of new ideas and adapted responses that
the wayfarer can use to overcome the opposition and obstacles encountered on
their journey.
This is a key step for us where we use a process of creative
synthesis to integrate the “wisdom” of the wise ones or experts into our own
life. We make these ideas our own by creatively applying them to our own
individual circumstances or particular problem. Our responses form the basis of
our strategies to achieve success in our particular quest, and they are
typically of three kinds: “Setting up” strategies, “Creative customs” or good
habits, and “Engaging self-talk” to overcome self-defeating doubts.
7. E - Evaluate (ideas and
motives) and Plan: In the light of increasing opposition and some initial failures
on their journey-quest story, the wayfarer decides, or feels forced to take
time-out away from the action. Usually in a lonely, deserted place, they
evaluate their current responses and motives. The result is typically a new set
of more enlightened and less selfish plans.
This is a time in our quest when we rationally select the
“best” ideas from our list of creative responses, and use them to make
logically considered plans for action. Ideally, this process also involves some
evaluation of our own motives so that our chosen ideas are best “for all
concerned”, for “the whole”, not just best for us.
8. A - Activate Plans:
With a new resolve, the wayfarer emerges from the reflection time knowing it is
time for drastic, practical action and that they must now fight in earnest to
complete their various quests.
This is the step when we move plans from the theory in our
heads to practical action in the real world. We put plans into practice by physically
implementing our selected problem solving and goal achieving responses.
Sometimes our action will be exploratory, and we will test the waters or try
things out. The important thing is that we are doing something practical, and
making a move on our problem or quest.
9. R - Review Progress and
Learn (from mistakes): After dealing with each opponent or obstacle, the
wayfarer celebrates each small victory, but adjusts their plans in the light of
inevitable mistakes and experience. Through this process, we see them make
steady progress on their quests.
In our journeys, this is the “feedback” stage where, through
a series of repeated steps, we review our progress by checking how well our
plans or explorations are working, and make adjustments in the light of feedback
and lessons learnt from inevitable mistakes and experience. We also use these
stages to celebrate and be thankful for the progress we have actually made.
10. I - Implement Persistently
(through the tough times): Eventually, in most journey stories, the wayfarer confronts their main opponent in
their toughest encounter - typically in the dark, restrictive confines of their
enemy’s stronghold. Usually, the conflict does not go well, and the wayfarer
seems to be killed, lost or at least has an encounter with death and is forced
to face their own mortality. In the midst of this death experience, the wayfarer
has another insight that modifies their focus and quest once again. They
finally understand what they must do to defeat their opponent. Typically, they
must give up their own ego, needs and agendas and trust in the positive moral
values they have been fighting for in the story. They now stand as
representatives of those values, and they are called to, if necessary, die for
them. The new realization gives
the wayfarer the strength and insight to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of
seeming defeat to live and fight again.
In our quests, this is the tough period when we must persist
with the feedback or “Review Progress and Learn” process even though we do not
seem to be making much progress. We just keep on chipping away at our goal,
learning from each failure and realizing that this is the only way most
worthwhile quests eventually come to fruition.
11. N - Nail the Quest (and
bring closure): With their new insights, self-knowledge and moral
integrity, the wayfarer rises from seeming defeat and delivers the “knockout
blow” to their opponent and as a hero or a martyr, applies the solutions and
brings some closure to their immediate quests. Sometimes, if the wayfarer dies
in this process, this act may even look like a complete failure. However, in
the terms of the journey story, the world experiences some form of healing and
a move towards wholeness through this very means.
For us, this is the step when we bring closure to our
current quest and deliver our final solution or response. On rare occasions, we
may even consider abandoning our original quest at this time so that this closure
step becomes an admission of seeming failure. It takes courage and wisdom to
make this call, but the key comes back to our motives. If we make our decision
for the “greater good” of all, our quest will still have been worthwhile and
probably necessary in the whole scheme of things. The important point is that
we take some decisive action when our quests have either reached their point of
maturity, or are simply not working after being given every chance to succeed.
12. G - Gratefully Share (back
home): The wayfarer returns “home” to a transformed world as a transformed,
“healed” and resurrected character. If still alive, they gratefully share their
story and accumulated wisdom with others, who may someday face a similar
journey. This is usually a good time for a celebration.
This final step in each of our quests is a time to share gratefully
with others the wisdom we have learnt on our journey. This step usually demands
some form of celebration and acknowledgement of the transformations and healing
that have occurred within us, and in our world because of our quest.
From this outline, you can see that the “Road Clearing Way”
provides a set of steps to help us work towards any quest in life whether it be
to achieve a desired goal, or solve a problem.
As described above, the Road Clearing process might seem
rather complicated since it involves not only twelve steps but also a number of
options at several of the stages. In practice, when dealing with a particular
quest or problem in life, we might move through some of these steps very
quickly and omit some of the options. The important point is that we use the
twelve steps as checkpoints to remind us of things we might consider along the
way. Here is a simple example.
*
Recognize
the Wayfarer: Let us suppose that I notice an
advertisement for a concert series by my wife’s favourite band. I know she loves this group and
loves going to concerts. I also know she has a birthday close to the event.
This is part of the knowledge (baggage)
I bring to this event.
*
Own
the Call: I am quite excited by this
advertisement (the Inciting Event)
because taking my wife to this show would be a great birthday present and I am
short of ideas.
*
Analyse the Call: I immediately ask myself questions like, “What do I need to do now?”
and “When could I miss out on this opportunity?” In this example, the only
appropriate analysis options are these “Stages”
and “Stakes” issues. The “State” and “Significance” options come into play when our “call” is a more
complex issue like an emotional problem.
*
Define
the Quest: After considering the implications
for a few moments, I decide I am going to go for it. I am going to take my wife
to this show for her birthday (My
quest) and to do that, I will need to find the best time, book the
tickets, arrange accommodation, book a dinner venue and arrange transport (my missions).
*
Collect
Necessary Wisdom: I start collecting the
information I need. I try to find out if my wife has prior commitments around
the time of the concert. I find out the cost of the tickets, accommodation,
dinner and transport options along with contact details.
*
List
Creative Responses: I then generate a list of
possible options to bring all these elements into a birthday package that my
wife will really enjoy - the “right” type of restaurant, the “right” type of
accommodation as near as possible to the show venue with accessible transport.
I also have to work out how to keep all this as a surprise, and prevent her
from making her own plans around the time of the show.
*
Evaluate
and Plan: I pick out the best ideas (evaluating ideas) from my options and
use those to develop a clear set of next steps to take (the plan).
*
Activate
Plans: I follow my set of steps and make the
bookings and other arrangements.
*
Review
Progress and Learn: As we get closer to the
show, I complete a brief check that everything has been done and that
arrangements are in place.
*
Implement
Persistently: The day before the show, I
complete another check so that nothing is left to chance.
*
Nail
the Quest: We go to the show and my wife loves
the whole event, which, of course, all runs very smoothly (Smiles!).
*
Gratefully
Share: I gratefully share my experience of “Road
Clearing” success as an example in a book I am writing!
I hope this example shows you that the “Road Clearing Way”
need not be over complex. It simply summarizes the steps that many
conscientious planners will naturally take when following through on a project.
We can make use of the optional components in each step, or not, depending on
the complexity of our particular quest or problem.
Throughout the series, I will explain how this same set of
steps can also be used as a system for dealing with negative emotions, as a negotiation
tool, as a pattern for adopting positive beliefs in life, and as a set of
planning stages when producing a speech, an essay, a presentation, a lesson, or
even a ceremony. The steps also form the basic structure of each journey in
this series because they help to facilitate effective learning. As mentioned
above, in this series of books, the first four steps prepare the reader for the
input at steps five and six, and the final six steps assist readers to digest
and apply the information. Furthermore, as explained in a later book in the
project, the steps guide readers to consider each quest from the perspective of
both hemispheres of our brain.
