Enjoyed this piece. I am often thinking about the spiritual side. I see it in my daily life with my dogs, sea swimming, exercising. I have little knowledge of tarot etc. but some of my most spiritual moments have been cloud gazing whilst swimming in a rain swept and stormy sea. Real peace, real tranquility. Loved what you said about it being individual and to look inside to fix. I just subscribed.
Thank you for this post. The 'spiritual' community can be overwhelming and equally does not feel like my tribe because of the weird AF stuff. It does feel like people are seeking sovereignty from the heaviness of this world but then are consumed by the weight of how they need to show up in the enlightened world.The spiritual purpose so many overlook because it seems so ordinary is simply showing up in this human body and doing the day to day mundane work through the eyes of spirit.
I had the immense honor of participating in a Summer Solstice gathering with a group of men and women who were, how should I put this, clothing averse…We danced around the fire, invoked the blessing of the Goddess Mother Earth, basked in the glow of the full moon and fire. We reveled in the beauty of it all.
That would have felt liberating! I don’t disagree with these things at all. I do, however, think it can become an issue when we use these retreats and methods as “the only way we can heal” … like a crutch, jumping from one retreat or modality to another because we love the high of it, but don’t know how to come back to daily life activities and integrate it.
As with all good things, it should be taken with moderation. As a Cis Male presenting human, I haven't found it easy to be welcomed in Goddess adoration. I do respect women's right to retreat to the sanctuary of women's only spaces; indeed, I have my Men's only spaces that is my refuge. For me, the Solstice Celebration was in the unique balance of masculine and feminine energies that I found the most delight in. 99.99% of my spiritual journey (healing) has been on my own. It's just nice to have this community eight or so times a year with music, laughter, and companionship.
It's my small way to follow the middle path, in Buddhism, complement of general and specific ethical practices and philosophical views that are said to facilitate enlightenment by avoiding the extremes of self-gratification on one hand and self-mortification on the other. See Eightfold Path.
A lot of people use spirituality as another way to run away from their problems (like the example you gave of wanting to leave the body). I've also written about people who want to escape life by trying to "quantum leap" into new timelines (parallel realities). I wrote:
"I also see the idea of “leaping” out of your own life into another dimensional life as an act of someone who sees this reality as “bad.” It has a bit of an escapism tint to the belief." and "I think the difference is if you want to stay or go. Skipping out of the dimension versus staying in this dimension to work on oneself is the differentiator for me. If you want to flee this reality, that’s an escape. I think we should focus on improving the reality in which we live." https://lawofattraction.substack.com/p/the-science-of-law-of-attraction-3bc
This reality is not some "persecutor" we need to run away from. We chose to be here and experience it for a purpose. And, yes, some people look to crystals or gurus to "save" them. I've got plenty as tools as you mentioned. But they're not my savior.
I've got the law of attraction Substack and also one on the Drama Triangle so I understand trying to separate the spiritual from the drama. You might also enjoy Natalie's article on people looking for a guru to save them: https://www.hackingnarcissism.com/p/gurupreneur
Interesting article. 👍 Every human has its own pace and yes, not everyone is ready for shadow work or analyzing patterns but on the other hand without these things, self-development will be almost impossible.
I had one intense out of the body experience and it changed me forever because I experienced what we call spirit. I was still connected to my body but also outside far away in other dimensions. This experience dissolved a big part of my ego and for my personal journey it was very helpful and necessary. This experience felt like magic. 🎇🎆❤️
Good point. Grounding is very important especially after psychedelics shamanic experiences. 👍❤️
It is necessary but not everyone is meant to evolve in this lifetime. Sometimes souls choose to leave to receive healing in other realms and then return. Healers must have enough discernment when taking on clients to determine if the person is mentally capable of handling the shift in consciousness. I feel like this is the most important piece that is missing. The most vulnerable are so desperate to change, but unable to handle the amount of awareness that comes with that change, you know? I know someone who recently took their own life because shadow work became too much, she was searching and searching and couldn’t make peace with herself. Developing self-love and an understanding of how energy works I think is the most important thing that should come first because you have to know how to love yourself HARD through shadow work.
A mindful approach is very important; of course, guidance is sometimes very necessary. I get my guidance from ancient plant medicine.
Everybody is on a journey, and we all are connected and one. Death is often sad for us, but death is also just part of the game. Our existence doesn't end with death, and all the self-development that we go through will not vanish. We cannot take materialistic items with us, but we can take our level of spiritual development with us.
Balance is very important when it comes to self-improvement.
Love is the only emotion or vibration that exists also in higher dimensions. Yes, self-love is very important on this journey, but often it comes during this journey, like in my case.
Every journey is different, but every inner journey has a positive impact on the connected consciousness. ❤️
Thank you for your work. Sorry for your loss. Big virtual hug.
I'm new on this channel, but this article gives me a good insight in the pitfalls lurks everywhere outside to trap our focus and attention, especially nowadays in the spiritual community.
I have to find another teacher, I need another book another insight...blablabla. It is keeping us the hole time in the outside and we don't use the knowledge we already have to make progress in life. I realise that more and more in my own life.
Yes, one mighty tool is to stay detached.
There are far, far better things ahead than aby we leave behind.
Thank you so much for your input here. Yes, the ongoing external search for ourselves will always eventually bring us back, full circle, to where we started. To realize we never had to stray so far.
Enjoyed this piece. I am often thinking about the spiritual side. I see it in my daily life with my dogs, sea swimming, exercising. I have little knowledge of tarot etc. but some of my most spiritual moments have been cloud gazing whilst swimming in a rain swept and stormy sea. Real peace, real tranquility. Loved what you said about it being individual and to look inside to fix. I just subscribed.
Thank you for this post. The 'spiritual' community can be overwhelming and equally does not feel like my tribe because of the weird AF stuff. It does feel like people are seeking sovereignty from the heaviness of this world but then are consumed by the weight of how they need to show up in the enlightened world.The spiritual purpose so many overlook because it seems so ordinary is simply showing up in this human body and doing the day to day mundane work through the eyes of spirit.
I had the immense honor of participating in a Summer Solstice gathering with a group of men and women who were, how should I put this, clothing averse…We danced around the fire, invoked the blessing of the Goddess Mother Earth, basked in the glow of the full moon and fire. We reveled in the beauty of it all.
That would have felt liberating! I don’t disagree with these things at all. I do, however, think it can become an issue when we use these retreats and methods as “the only way we can heal” … like a crutch, jumping from one retreat or modality to another because we love the high of it, but don’t know how to come back to daily life activities and integrate it.
As with all good things, it should be taken with moderation. As a Cis Male presenting human, I haven't found it easy to be welcomed in Goddess adoration. I do respect women's right to retreat to the sanctuary of women's only spaces; indeed, I have my Men's only spaces that is my refuge. For me, the Solstice Celebration was in the unique balance of masculine and feminine energies that I found the most delight in. 99.99% of my spiritual journey (healing) has been on my own. It's just nice to have this community eight or so times a year with music, laughter, and companionship.
That’s beautiful. Thats the union the world is craving so deeply
It's my small way to follow the middle path, in Buddhism, complement of general and specific ethical practices and philosophical views that are said to facilitate enlightenment by avoiding the extremes of self-gratification on one hand and self-mortification on the other. See Eightfold Path.
A lot of people use spirituality as another way to run away from their problems (like the example you gave of wanting to leave the body). I've also written about people who want to escape life by trying to "quantum leap" into new timelines (parallel realities). I wrote:
"I also see the idea of “leaping” out of your own life into another dimensional life as an act of someone who sees this reality as “bad.” It has a bit of an escapism tint to the belief." and "I think the difference is if you want to stay or go. Skipping out of the dimension versus staying in this dimension to work on oneself is the differentiator for me. If you want to flee this reality, that’s an escape. I think we should focus on improving the reality in which we live." https://lawofattraction.substack.com/p/the-science-of-law-of-attraction-3bc
This reality is not some "persecutor" we need to run away from. We chose to be here and experience it for a purpose. And, yes, some people look to crystals or gurus to "save" them. I've got plenty as tools as you mentioned. But they're not my savior.
I've got the law of attraction Substack and also one on the Drama Triangle so I understand trying to separate the spiritual from the drama. You might also enjoy Natalie's article on people looking for a guru to save them: https://www.hackingnarcissism.com/p/gurupreneur
Thank you for sharing this Barbara!
Interesting article. 👍 Every human has its own pace and yes, not everyone is ready for shadow work or analyzing patterns but on the other hand without these things, self-development will be almost impossible.
I had one intense out of the body experience and it changed me forever because I experienced what we call spirit. I was still connected to my body but also outside far away in other dimensions. This experience dissolved a big part of my ego and for my personal journey it was very helpful and necessary. This experience felt like magic. 🎇🎆❤️
Good point. Grounding is very important especially after psychedelics shamanic experiences. 👍❤️
It is necessary but not everyone is meant to evolve in this lifetime. Sometimes souls choose to leave to receive healing in other realms and then return. Healers must have enough discernment when taking on clients to determine if the person is mentally capable of handling the shift in consciousness. I feel like this is the most important piece that is missing. The most vulnerable are so desperate to change, but unable to handle the amount of awareness that comes with that change, you know? I know someone who recently took their own life because shadow work became too much, she was searching and searching and couldn’t make peace with herself. Developing self-love and an understanding of how energy works I think is the most important thing that should come first because you have to know how to love yourself HARD through shadow work.
A mindful approach is very important; of course, guidance is sometimes very necessary. I get my guidance from ancient plant medicine.
Everybody is on a journey, and we all are connected and one. Death is often sad for us, but death is also just part of the game. Our existence doesn't end with death, and all the self-development that we go through will not vanish. We cannot take materialistic items with us, but we can take our level of spiritual development with us.
Balance is very important when it comes to self-improvement.
Love is the only emotion or vibration that exists also in higher dimensions. Yes, self-love is very important on this journey, but often it comes during this journey, like in my case.
Every journey is different, but every inner journey has a positive impact on the connected consciousness. ❤️
Thank you for your work. Sorry for your loss. Big virtual hug.
Everything eventually comes full circle! You’re right, though that learning to love the journey is key.
You just needed... you. LOVE LOVE LOVE. So well said. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. 💕💕
Yesss! No matter how hard things get, it feels so much better when we come back to ourselves. It’s simply intending that we call our energy back!
I love your post. I would love to learn more about spirituality. Please, keep writing more like this.
I’ve got so much more in store!
I'm new on this channel, but this article gives me a good insight in the pitfalls lurks everywhere outside to trap our focus and attention, especially nowadays in the spiritual community.
I have to find another teacher, I need another book another insight...blablabla. It is keeping us the hole time in the outside and we don't use the knowledge we already have to make progress in life. I realise that more and more in my own life.
Yes, one mighty tool is to stay detached.
There are far, far better things ahead than aby we leave behind.
- C.S. Lewis.
Thank you so much for your input here. Yes, the ongoing external search for ourselves will always eventually bring us back, full circle, to where we started. To realize we never had to stray so far.
It would be a boring world if we all agreed on everything!