The process of discovering our truest, most authentic selves is so often a journey through some of the wildest, toughest terrain imaginable. Yet within this wild inner landscape of strife, broken relationships, sleepless nights, and even tragedy, we also unearth our richest treasures -- those pieces of ourselves abandoned long ago as we drew the masks we show to the world.

Stories, particularly the stories found in myth and sacred texts, provide us with a lens through which we can view the workings of our own souls. By seeing the characters within a story as aspects or layers of our selves, we gain a deeper understanding of our own complexity. We unveil, not only the hero within, but also the villain. Often we find an inner trickster, Aphrodite, witch, and savior. Always we realize that being whole is not merely about being good. And ultimately we learn to love ourselves, brokenness and all.

Contained here are my personal reflections on this process, primarily through work with Bible stories and parables, but also through close examination of other sacred texts, myths, fairy tales, and poetry.