The Innocent Deep Dive with Donna Kunde & Londina Cruz

Preparation for the Hero's Journey Deep Dive

The first four Archetypes help us prepare for the journey. We begin with the Innocent and learn optimism and trust. When we experience “the fall” we become Orphans who feel disappointed, abandoned, betrayed by life and people who were supposed to care for us. The Orphan teaches us to provide for ourselves and stop relying on others to take care of us. The Warrior teaches us to set goals and develop strategies for achieving them and the Caregiver teaches us to care for others and eventually to care for ourselves.

“Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.” — Joseph Campbell

There are five levels of the Innocent:

1. Shadow - Denial, repression, blaming, conformity, irrational optimism and risk taking
2. Call - Safe, secure environment; a desire to be protected, to experience unconditional love and acceptance
3. Spiral One - Unquestioning acceptance of environment, authorities; believe that the world as it is being experienced is all there is; dependence
4. Spiral Two - Experience of the “fall” - disillusionment, disappointment - but retention of faith and goodness in adversity
5. Spiral Three - Return to Paradise, this time as a Wise Innocent; trust and optimism without denial, naivete or dependence

Give some thought to when, where, how and how much the Innocent expresses itself in our life.

How much or how little is the Innocent expressed in your life? Has it been expressed more in the past or present? Do you see it emerging more in your future? Is it expressed more at work, at home with friends, or in dreams? Who are some friends, relatives, coworkers and others who seem influenced by the Archetype of the Innocent?

Is there anything you wish were different about the expression of the Innocent in your life?

Since each Archetype expresses itself in many different ways, take some time to describe or otherwise portray (eg. draw, make a collage, use a picture of yourself in a particular costume or pose) The Innocent as it is expressed or could be expressed in your life. What does or would it look like? How does or would it act? In what setting does or would it feel most at home?

In your daydream, allow yourself to experience a perfect childhood, one in which you have everything you need: love, possessions, security, stimulation, encouragement to your growth in every possible way. Allow yourself some time to process your feelings. Be aware that no matter what the reality of your actual childhood, you can give yourself a perfect childhood anytime you wish in your fantasy.

Allow yourself to indulge in fantasies of rescue, whether it is “someday my prince or princess will come” or dreams of the perfect therapist, great boss or political leader who will restore Camelot. Imagine how faithfully you wait for rescue, how good and deserving you are. Allow yourself to experience being rescued and taken care of by this caring, benevolent and powerful person. Then imagine yourself becoming like that person. What does that feel like for you?