The initiatory narrative is an adventure story which has embedded within it the elements of spiritual growth. This adventure story was referred to by Joseph Campbell as the Hero’s Journey. The story itself is an allegory of spiritual growth. The initiatory narrative embedded within the story is the personal experiences of an initiate.

The New Testament of the Bible:
The New Testament is an initiatory narrative. Fr. Paul Blighton, founder of the Holy Order of MANS, referred to this as a handbook of initiation. The narrative begins with the identification of Jesus through the symbolic meaning of the virgin birth.

This identification is again made through the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan river by John the Baptist. Thus the beginning of the narrative is to identify the character which is to represent Reality itself.

Later in the narrative this character declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the light”. This expresses the conceptual framework of the journey into reality.

The nature of this journey is expressed just after the baptism at the River Jordan through the temptations of Jesus. Right after the temptations comes the calling. This is expressed by Jesus declaring to the other characters, “Come, follow me!” Later on in the narrative Jesus (the great reality) declares in no uncertain terms, “I have chosen you; you have not chosen me”. This expresses the fact that the only way to embark on this journey is by invitation (a calling).

The rest of the narrative is composed of the various trials and temptations which those who are called will go through.

The initiatory narrative is not composed in linear form, which means that it is not in chronological order. This brings into focus that the initiatory path is a path of transmutation.

This means that those who are called are gradually transformed into the likeness of that which they seek. This transformational process is referred to as alchemy. The trials, tribulations and temptations are the catalysts which engender the transformations. The path is a drama which takes place between you and the Infinite Reality.