The Hero's Journey
17th – 19th April 2015
Prologue – The Ordinary World
Sharing stories around the fire is one of our most ancient activities. We all recognise
ourselves in a beautiful story, even more so if it's well told. Because all human stories tell
us about ourselves. The story of all stories is our own story.
For thousands of years, men and woman have grown up, formed communities, shared
fears, hopes, dreams and information. We have evolved as a species; we have accumulated
experience, even before we started to convey it in written form. Sharing stories around the
fire kept away the fear of the dark and helped us to overcome our limits, making us
stronger, wiser, closer to the divinities or to the heroes that, thanks to those stories, we got
to know.
Sitting together and sharing our stories, our deeds, makes us grow. It makes us feel alive. It
makes us realise that maybe what we really miss in our lives is that little bit of magic or
mystery.
***
Our life is dominated by change. Continuous change. We are convinced that it's possible
to influence or even to avoid it, but it's not always possible. Maybe the best thing to do is
not to resist change, but to go with the flow. Maybe we should face life challenges, instead
of fighting against them. But... Can we really face all the changes that life poses us? Can we
dominate, or are we destined to be dominated by them?
This residential course, over three
days and two nights, is an opportunity
to face and explore the topic of change
through experiential learning in a safe
educational environment.
We want to provide our participants
with a holistic experience, exploring
the physical, mental and spiritual
dimensions of each of us and
stimulating reflection, wonder and
inspiration about the great challenge
that
life
is.
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What is "The Hero's Journey"? - A Call to Adventure
The most ancient metaphor in the history of
mankind is called "The Hero's Journey”. It is
present in the myths and legends of all cultures,
from the most ancient tales up until the modern
models represented in contemporary movies and
novels. Why is it so powerful? Because it tells our
story. It speaks about journeys, challenges, life and
death. It speaks of heroes, allies and enemies. Of
love and treachery. Of learning, transformation,
tests to overcome – that we will meet during our
journey.
It's an archetypical tale so deeply carved in our culture, and in our collective
consciousness, that it deeply resonates in every one of us. With its many differences, it is
present in all ages and cultures. The first academic to study this connection and to
highlight it in a coherent model was Joseph Campbell in his “The Hero with A
Thousand Faces” (1949). Since then, the model – called “Monomyth” - has been subject of
many studies and has inspired the life and work of anthropologists, sociologists,
psychologists and artists, and even now is one the references to which writers,
screenwriters and authors go back to when trying to realise the “perfect story”. It has
inspired the work of George Lucas for Star Wars and J. J. Abrahams for Lost.
The Programme – The Journey
Friday, the 17th of April, Arrival at 17.00hr
Introductions, presentation of the programme, dinner together and preparation for the
"Journey"
Saturday, the 18th of April, Experiential Journey.
The Journey explores three dimensions:
– The Physical One, through an adventurous voyage in the surrounding natural
environment. It will be an occasion to stimulate reflections and inspirations linked
to everyday life, to our limits and our potential – apparent or hidden – and to
prepare us for the challenges waiting for us. The journey will have its difficulties,
but the travelers will find that they are not alone.
–
The Social One, trying to raise questions (but not necessarily looking for the
answers) about the people who are the most important to us, the communities to
which we belong, and which values are the most important for us.
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– The Spiritual One, exploring our imaginary world, investigating symbols and
magic. Only by accepting the unknown, is it possible to face it. Only by admitting
the importance of dreams, it's possible to realise them.
The day of the “Journey” will be the heart of
the whole experience. We will dedicate a whole
day free from external influences, switching off
mobile phones, with no Internet, away if
possible from every external distraction or
influence.
To increase the experience, it will be
recommended (not enforced) to fast for the 24
hours of the Journey. Water and tea will be
readily available.
The facilitators will have access to Internet and
phone, and all the necessary precautions
needed.
Sunday the 19th of April.
At sunrise: Dreamstar Council - recalling the dreams of the night before and weaving
them in a collective story.
Recalling the stories of the Journey - sharing the experience.
Presentation of the model (“The Hero's Journey from the beginning of history to
Hollywood”), movie parts, questions & answers.
Evaluation and Conclusion.
Participants will depart after 17.00 pm.
Development Perspectives – Who Are We?
Development Perspectives is an
independent
NGO
and
registered charity (CHY 18555),
which is based in Drogheda, Co.
Louth. Our aim is to help bring
about a more just and equitable
world and we do this through
Development Education and
leadership programmes.
Our work focuses on challenges such as poverty, inequality, conflict and climate change.
Most of our work takes place in communities across Ireland; however we also work in
other countries (Zambia, Tanzania, Liberia, Uganda).
Development Perspectives holds the following beliefs about the world around us.
4

The world is ever changing.

People around the world are interdependent as are the challenges that face them.

Presently, the world is a very unequal place to live.

We can address and solve the challenges that face the world through individual and
collective reflection and action.
The Facilitator – The Wise Old Man
Carmine Rodi Falanga (1977) co-founder and
President of Cooperativa Muovimente, works in
non formal education with young people and
adults since 2002. Since 2005 he has worked as a
freelance trainer in the SALTO platform,
supported by Council of Europe and European
Commission. In 2009 he became a member of
LPCS, an European network of education to
sustainability through direct experience and
nature work. Very fond of myths and stories,
videogames, comics, cinema, reading, and of all
other ways in which it's possible to tell a beautiful
story.
Map area and Practical Information
Price List:
Waged (Not active in DP)
€250.00
Waged (Active in DP)
€170.00
Unemployed/Student (Not Active in DP)
€170.00
Unemployed/Student (Active in DP)
€130.00
Early Bird Special – Get a 10% discount if you pay before the 20th of March.
Discount available for group bookings. (2 or more)
Course fees must be paid before Friday the 3rd April.
5
Accommodation:
The accommodation will be at Gyreum Eco Lodge, Corlisheen, Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo.
The facility will be self-managed by the group, and the meals will be prepared together.
Amenities include:
BBQ
Bicycle Parking
Cable TV
Common Room
Free Parking
Hairdryers For Hire
Internet Access
Linen Included
Outdoor Terrace
Parking
Reading Light
Tours/Travel Desk
Towels for hire
Wheelchair Accessible
What to bring list:

Rain Jacket

Hiking Boots

Change of clothes

Water Bottle

Sleeping bag

A memento of personal significance
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How to Reach Us – The Map
By Car:
How to get there from Dublin: Head
north along N4 towards Sligo. At
Castlebaldwin (a small village on the
N4, 13km north of Boyle, 14km south of
Collooney) turn right. After you left the
main road (N4) simply follow the
brown metal signs pointing toward
GYREUM ECOLODGE:
1. Follow the signs towards Highwood
(crossing the Unshin River) until you
reach the local ‘BAR’ with a petrol
pump out front.
2. At the ‘BAR’ continue straight
through the intersection (DON’T take
the main road to the right), following the sign for Lough Bo.
3. At Killadoon Crossroads (the next one), pass straight through (again towards Lough Bo)
and take the next turn on the left (1km later). Gyreum is 500 metres along this small road
on the right.
Useful Links:
www.developmentperspectives.ie
www.gyreum.com
www.buseireann.ie
www.irishrail.ie
www.translink.co.uk
Closing Date for Applications: 3rd April 2015
Return completed application forms to
deborah@developmentperspectives.ie
Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Postal Address
(For February to
April 2015)
1.
Phone Number:
Area or work or
study?
Mobile:
Please provide details
of any special
requirements you
might have (Mobility,
Medical conditions,
Allergies, Diets, etc)
Please return your application form to Development Perspectives, Barlow House,
Narrow West Street, Drogheda or by email to deborah@developmentperspectives.ie
Please send payment when posting your application form
OR
Lodge to Development Perspectives, TSB 116 West Street, Drogheda,
A/C No.: 14465302, Sort Code: 990622