The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell explores the Hero's Journey, and the idea behind a Monomyth in his book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell summarizes the myth as such:

" A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."

The monomyth contains a number of stages which the antagonist moves through in order to fulfill the process. According to Campbell (and Wikipedia),
" The hero starts in the ordinary world, and receives a call to enter an unusual world of strange powers and events (a call to adventure). If the hero accepts the call to enter this strange world, the hero must face tasks and trials (a road of trials), and may have to face these trials alone, or may have assistance. At its most intense, the hero must survive a severe challenge, often with help earned along the journey. If the hero survives, the hero may achieve a great gift, which often results in important self-knowledge. The hero must then decide whether to return with this boon (the return to the ordinary world), often facing challenges on the return journey. If the hero is successful in returning, the boon or gift may be used to improve the world."

Many examples exist in religion (Christ, Buddha), popular culture (star wars, oh brother where art thou), and in our own daily lives. In regards to spiritual energies, the hero's journey is connected to the sacral chakra, one's greater sense of identity and purpose, and indeed can result in spiritual awakening, an open heart, and a gift which may be used to improve the world.