The Symbol, the Story and the Way

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.