The Loneliness of the Spiritual Path (it gets better)
The Loneliness of the Spiritual Path
Going through periods of isolation is inherently baked into the journey of spiritual growth and self-actualization.
One cannot move towards wholeness without examining their ingrained beliefs, confronting their shadows, and finding their own felt sense of authenticity without spending a significant time alone.
The insights, realizations, breakthroughs, and integration are all aspects of the journey that we ultimately experience on our own, within our own minds. Other people don’t have the insights or realizations for us.
For virtually every person that the path of seeking greater wholeness, authenticity, Truth, and Love finds, there is a natural process of letting go of what no longer serves you.
This could be the letting go of:
Relationships that keep you stuck in your old ways and are limiting to your growth/evolution
jobs/careers that no longer feel fulfilling/authentic, that perhaps you pursued in order to please others, rather than yourself.
Belief systems that you inherited from family, friends, and culture that no longer resonate with your newfound sense of truth.
Habits and ways of being in the world that no longer feel authentic to you
Naturally, first beginning this process of letting go can be extremely destabilizing, because you realize that your entire life up to this point has been constructed in a way to meet the needs of your prior way of being, which has fundamentally different needs than your new way of being.
As you progress, the needs of your evolving self will be:
more authentic relationships built upon mutual growth, genuine sharing, and acceptance of one’s true nature, rather than superficial connections or codependent dynamics.
work/career goals that align with your soul’s calling that allows you to contribute your gifts to the world, even if it means following an unconventional path.
the courage to live in alignment with your deepening insights and values, even if that means going against societal norms and letting go of limited relationships and ways of being in the world.
The ability to sit with discomfort, uncertainty, and not-knowing, and trust that the path will unfold in the way it is meant to.
An ability to block out the noise and distractions of the everyday world, and embrace silence.
And many more.
No one has stepped into their higher self without these qualities, and virtually no one has done it without experiencing periods of loneliness and isolation.
Humans are social beings, and if we lack the relationships where our authentic self can be expressed, seen, heard, and understood, we will inevitably feel lonely.
As I first began this process of letting go several years ago, I was met with a pervasive sense of loneliness that came with it a worry that no one would ever understand me, and that I would never find fulfilling relationships with people that were on a similar wavelength as I.
It Gets Better
I wallowed in this loneliness for a while (and still do from time to time), yet slowly but surely, I took active strides, with the universe also pulling some strings in this process, that placed various amazing human beings in my life whom I have since formed deep connections with.
I was able to find these connections by:
Posting myself authentically online
Being in my authentic energy in day to day interactions
Actively seeking out like-minded people and communities and fostering connection
I did all of this as a highly introverted person.
The key was that I always tried my best to put my true self out there, I made authenticity my highest value, and I allowed my authentic self to be seen.
Sure, some people think I am weird, wacky, airy-fairy, in the clouds, etc., but those people aren’t the ones that stick around.
When you are being your authentic self, you repel those who are not in alignment and you attract those who are.
Since my initial spiritual awakening which occurred over 5 years ago, I have since made dozens of genuine, truthful, heartfelt connections, with a few of these being friendships I imagine lasting for the rest of my life.
But remember, the key is putting yourself out there and allowing yourself to be seen.
Many people are too fearful of judgment by others that they never allow their authentic selves to be seen in the first place (or sometimes even internally accessed at all), which makes living a truthful life and fostering genuine relationships impossible.
So let the message of the day be: allow yourself to be seen.
On the flip side of this message would also be: see others.
For me personally, when it comes to alleviating loneliness, I have found that seeing others for who they truly are can be even more fulfilling than allowing yourself to be seen.
When you give another the gift of Genuine Seeing, you foster a dynamic of unconditional positive regard within the relationship, which naturally makes both parties feel more safe to be and express who they truly are.
The ability to genuinely see another person is a rare phenomenon in today’s day and age, where the vast majority of people carry enormous amounts of unconscious material into every conversation they have, resulting in projections, judgments, assumptions, and biases that cloud their ability to truly witness the person they are speaking to.
To truly see another requires a high level of self-awareness and presence, but when you are able to meet another person in a way that allows Genuine Seeing to take place, a special connection is formed, along with a field of safety that allows authenticity to naturally emerge.
The gift of Genuine Seeing is perhaps the greatest gift you can give another, it makes the Spiritual Path feel not so lonely.
Offers
For those who wish to accelerate the path of their growth and self-actualization, while doing so in a way helps form authentic relationships with like-minded people, I have an offer for you.
Starting on January 5, 2025, and running through March 30, myself and Dr. Devon Almond are hosting The Lifework Sanctuary for those who have felt the whisper of a higher purpose calling them, and are ready to architect a life that aligns with their innermost truth.
The community includes:
7 total sessions, with each session taking place on every second Sunday from January 5 to March 30 from 9:00am to 10:15am PDT
Experiential exercises designed to tap into your innate wisdom, align with your soul’s purpose, and aid in transforming your work/career in a manner that allows your unique gifts to be brought to life.
An opportunity to foster friendships among those on the path of personal growth and self-actualization
A copy of the book Ecology of Lifework: A Worldview of Work for the Perpetuation of Well-Being (written by Dr. Devon Almond, to be received in final session)
1:4 facilitator to participant ratio
I am only offering access to this community to 12 people in order to keep the container tight.
Spots are filling up, and there are only around 6 spots remaining at the time of this writing.
The price for all of this is $49 USD. If you are interested in joining, book a 15 minute onboarding call with me and will discuss the rest.
Hope to see you soon!
-Wyeth