Can The Myth Of Hercules Help Transform A Narcissist?
Written by JH Simon
Table Of Contents
The Labours Of Heracles
First Labour: Be Present
Second Labour: Listen Fully
Third Labour: Offer Support
Fourth Labour: Invite Criticism
Fifth Labour: Ask For A Lesson
Sixth Labour: Be Alone
Seventh Labour: Atone For A Sin
Eighth Labour: Be Honest
Ninth Labour: Grieve
Tenth Labour: Ask God For Forgiveness
The Hidden Labour
The Ultimate Labour
The Death Of Heracles
The popular belief is that narcissism has no cure, that even if a narcissist wanted to change, they would fail. Since their pathology developed during their formative years, the narcissist simply has no hope. You cannot teach an old narcissist new tricks, it seems. Once a narcissist, always a narcissist.
And yet, my mind still wanders on occasion. Observing the narcissists in my circles, I imagine what it would take. Sometimes my inner psychopath smirks, and considers dropping an LSD tab or ecstasy pill in a narcissist’s coffee. There’s no way they could remain unchanged after that, surely?
Once I’ve had my chuckle, I return to less criminal thoughts. My neurodivergent mind sharpens again while making unusual connections. I find myself thinking about Hercules, or ‘Heracles’, as the Greeks called him.
Although he’s barely narcissistic, there’s enough in Heracles’ story to make me suspect that his heroic journey could offer a blueprint for a narcissist to heal.
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