“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.”
This quote is by Joseph Campbell, an American author and professor of literature whose best-known book is The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Joseph Campbell’s words express once again the truth that focusing on others instead of just on ourselves leads to a more genuine, fulfilling, and purposeful life, a life of greater consciousness. When I say “once again,” I’m referring to the fact that this truth is emphasized by many religious traditions. It has also been shown by people whose courageous words and actions have helped many others. Some of these people are Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Harriet Tubman, Mahatma Gandhi, and Abraham Lincoln. And by the words and actions of numerous other people who are not in the history books who also have given their energy and time in service to others.
Campbell’s words “heroic transformation” are significant. It requires courage to be committed to trying to discern our inner guidance and to try to follow that guidance. That was clearly the case for the well-known people I listed above. A degree of heroism is needed whenever we try to follow the inner promptings that leads us to greater consciousness. And as we grow in consciousness, we are transformed, for we become more the persons we were created to be.