Mapping Your Hero's Adventure: A Mythogenesis PlayShop

Mapping Your Hero's Adventure is a five-day mythogenesis workshop at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, led by Robert Walter, Joseph Campbell's editor for a decade and a former president of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. It is a play-based exploration of the myths that have shaped your life, open to anyone curious about their own story. No familiarity with Campbell is needed.

The workshop grows out of "Campbell Week," a tradition that began at Esalen in 1988, the year after Campbell died. Campbell used to celebrate his birthday here, drawing on Carl Jung's question, "What myth am I living by?" His friends gathered to honor his dictum, "What you do, you do with play," and the gathering has continued annually ever since, eventually becoming this PlayShop.

What to Expect

The days are built around questions. Who were you? What has inspired your biographical saga? What treasures hide in your basement or attic? What is displayed on your refrigerator, or dangles from your rearview mirror? Who do you aspire to be, and what is on your bucket list? The aim is to re-vision yourself and take part in springtime rebirth rituals.

You work with myth-making tools: drums and dance, music and song, medicine bags, and masks. The group plays D-PiCT™: The Game of Mythogenesis, and moves between small- and large-group activities that offer room for reflection and expression as you revision the stories you live by.

The week begins on Monday with a How to Drop Into Esalen orientation in the late afternoon, followed by an evening opening session and welcome circle. Tuesday through Thursday each hold a morning, an afternoon and an evening workshop session, moving from mythic inquiry into deeper exploration and then integration and play. The final session on Friday morning is followed by departure by early afternoon, with an extended stay possible.

About Robert Walter

Robert Walter was Joseph Campbell's editor for a decade and previously served as president of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. He is also a poet and playwright with several decades of experience as a group leader, teacher, publisher, and theatrical producer, director, and designer.

The Setting

Esalen Institute sits on the Big Sur coast and has been a center for exploring human potential since 1962. Guests have access to the hot springs and other campus features, and to the open class schedule offered during the week. Meals are served buffet-style in the Lodge: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with coffee, tea, and snacks available.

Accommodations range from budget sleeping bag space in a shared room and bunk beds, to shared standard rooms, private queen rooms, and premium rooms with ocean or forest views. Day passes and off-site stays are also offered.

Before You Go

Please bring your unsung stories and a meaningful, though perhaps expendable, totem.

The workshop fee covers your participation, housing if you stay on site, all meals, coffee, tea and snacks, hot springs access, and open classes. Healing arts sessions such as Esalen Massage, specialty coffee and tea or alcohol from the bar, and bookstore purchases are extra.

Access to Big Sur can depend on road conditions along Highway 1, so check current travel advisories before you plan your arrival.