It’s not happiness that holds the solution to your problems; it is your pain. Your pain, your darkness, your greatest fears and shadows are the doorways toward your spiritual enlightenment. Within the cobwebs, the dust, the dirt, the dank and rancid confines of your deepest pain, is the key to everything you’ve been searching for. But most of us don’t understand that the only way around pain is through the pain. Our age-old conditioning whispers in our ears that happiness can only be found when we improve this bit of ourselves, change that person, move to this place, get that

Having a martyr complex is like having a get out of jail free card. It allows you to evade guilt and shame, bypass self-responsibility, and perhaps most importantly (and tragically), it allows you to dodge real life self-growth. Having a martyr complex essentially involves pointing the finger at other people or situations in your life and blaming them for your illnesses, disappointments, crushed dreams, and emotional turmoil. So what is a Martyr? Do you have a Martyr in your life? And most importantly, do you tend to exhibit Martyrdom? Table of contentsFirstly, What is a Martyr?What is a Martyr COMPLEX?Why

In almost every nook and cranny of the spiritual field, you'll hear the ego spoken about with contempt and sometimes it is plain demonized. Many people carry the belief that the ego needs to be destroyed, muzzled, or even killed. But do we need to destroy the ego? What is the ego, really? And furthermore, what can you learn about your own ego? Table of contentsWhat is the Ego?How Is the Ego Formed?The Ego and DualityThe Folly of Demonizing the EgoWhy the Ego Isn’t YouWhat is That Presence?How to Untangle Yourself From the Web of Illusion What is the Ego? The ego

No matter how big or small, we've all experienced some kind of trauma as children. These traumas can vary from having your favorite stuffed toy thrown in the trash, to being abandoned by your best childhood friend, to being physically or emotionally abused by your parents. Inner child work is a vital component of the spiritual awakening journey because it reconnects us with a wounded element of ourselves: the child within. When we reconnect with this fragmented part of ourselves, we can begin to discover the root of many of our fears, phobias, insecurities, and sabotaging life patterns. This is

Synchronicity reveals the meaningful connection between the subjective and objective world. – Carl Jung For the lone wolf and spiritual wanderer, the awakening journey can often feel confusing and, at times, lonely. This is where synchronicity can be like a light shining in the darkness for us, guiding the way and affirming that we're on the right path. Do you keep seeing the same repeated numbers, colors, words, or images all the time? Do you wonder what on earth is happening? Don't worry, you're not going crazy. You're just experiencing synchronicity! In this guide, I'll share with you types of

Beneath the social mask we wear every day, we have a hidden shadow side: an impulsive, wounded, sad, or isolated part that we generally try to ignore. The Shadow can be a source of emotional richness and vitality, and acknowledging it can be a pathway to healing and an authentic life. – C. Zweig & S. Wolf If you're truly honest about growing, changing, and living life to the fullest, you will, at some point, come across many parts of yourself that you'll find difficult – if not completely disturbing – to accept. These ugly and frightening parts of ourselves are

Authenticity is a big buzzword these days. “Be more authentic,” “honor your authenticity,” “find your authentic self” – we hear these phrases scattered all over the internet and spoken about everywhere. But what does being authentic mean? And most importantly, how can we tell when we’re being inauthentic – also known as “selling out”? Table of contentsWhat is Authenticity?What is Inauthenticity (i.e. Selling Out)?Examples of Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity12 Signs You’ve Lost Your Authenticity and Are Selling OutHow to Stop Selling Out What is Authenticity? Authenticity is the state of simply being yourself, listening to who you really are, and making decisions that

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?– Satchel Paige There is a special kind of person in our world who finds herself alone and isolated, almost since birth. Her solitary existence isn't from a preference or an antisocial temperament – she is simply old. Old in heart, old in mind, and old in soul, this person is an old soul who finds her outlook on life vastly different and more ripened than those around her. As a result, the old soul lives her life internally, walking her own solitary path while the rest

Regardless of where you are on the spiritual path and what your relationship is like with Christianity, there’s a pulsating core of mystical Divine Love at the heart of Jesus’ teachings. And this impassioned blaze of Love has been felt by people all over the world in many spiritual and religious traditions – not just Christianity. ‘Christ Consciousness’ is a term that I’m sure you’ve heard mentioned at least once on your inner wanderings, and it’s a phrase shrouded in mystery. What does Christ Consciousness mean? And how does it relate in a direct and intimate way to us on

Most people are already dead. Their minds are constantly preoccupied in past thoughts and resentments, and future worries and plans. We go about our days fully absorbed in any thought, recollection or feeling that pulls us away from completely tasting life as it is right now. And most of us don’t like challenging and pushing ourselves to the limits of our soulful capacity: instead we make our lives as comfortable, numbed-out and sheltered as possible, as though we’re already lying in our graves. We’re surrounded by the living dead … we are the living dead. My partner said these words

Empowered by sensitivity? It sounds strange, doesn't it? Sort of ironic, contradictory, even mutually exclusive. How can you be empowered by something so soft, subtle and delicate, in a world full of hard, overpowering and loud people? Indeed, many of us Empaths get trampled, used, thrown around, and taken advantage of. But we have a secret. Deep down inside, beyond the veil of our superficial appearances, we harbor something quiet, but powerful. Our gifts don't dominate, tyrannize or overthrow people, but that doesn't detract from their strength, or usefulness. If anything, our powerful but subtle gifts benefit us more in the

Sigils. I am enchanted by the simplicity and power of these little magical symbols. Sigils help you to achieve goals, co-create your reality, self-actualize your potential and fulfill your deepest dreams and desires. If you’re at a place in your spiritual journey where you’re thinking, “I’ve done a LOT of inner work … but now what?” it’s time to step out of your inner world into the outer world. Think for a moment: What would you like to do with your life? What unconscious stories would you like to reprogram? What habits would you like to replace? What parts of

What is the meaning of life? We are terrified by the question and at the same time, madly thrilled by it. It’s an age-old, primordial question at the heart of all humanity. What’s the point of going through all this fuss? Why were we born? Why do we die? WHY does everything exist anyway? If you've come to this page, you're likely at a crossroads in life. You might feel lost and completely without a clue as to what your true calling is. Perhaps you've searched for years, but nothing quite 'fit' or seemed right. Or perhaps, you've only begun

When we were young it was cute when we threw tantrums. People would coo at us, maybe even pick us up and hold us, telling us in ooey-gooey tones that 'you'll get it later' or 'you've got to wait a little while.' Then our tears would be mopped up, our snotty little noses would be wiped, and we'd be placed gently to the ground again. As we grew older, some of us would learn to wait our turn, be patient and show consideration for others. Some of us, however, didn't. We'd continue throwing tantrums but in more mature and sophisticated ways.

Automatic writing is a simple, safe, and powerful way to connect with your Soul. But don't be intimidated by the 'writing' part! Automatic writing can be practiced by anyone, from beginners who have just begun their spiritual journey, to seasoned travelers on the inward path. You don't have to be a 'good writer' or bother about spelling and grammar at all – none of that matters! Automatic writing is totally intuitive, so the only thing that matters is your heart and underlying intention. In this article, I want to share with you how to hone this magical skill, even if

There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum. ~ Carl G Jung It was when he started saying things like 'you must be an INTJ' and 'thinkers are more objective than feelers' that I became more interested in staring outside the window than listening to this guy - a psychology student. Personality types are fascinating to talk about, but depending on who’s doing the talking, it can get a bit too stiff for me. Often I've wondered why I'm less than enthusiastic about my personality type, or types.

So you’re broke, or have low income, or don’t have much cash to spare – and yet you’ve realized how crucial it is to heal on a physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual level. What do you do? Well my friends, I know exactly what this is like, and let me tell you, I can relate to that sense of frustration of wanting to commit to deeper healing, and yet being asked to give over many hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars to begin the process (which is kind of annoying and often exploitative if you ask me!). While

There is one particular state of consciousness that can change your life forever. This holy moment can only be described as 'ecstatic' in that your connection to life expands significantly. In this profound state of being, you feel that life is full of beauty and sacredness – yet this feeling is not subjective, but is instead an objective phenomenon that is outside your personal self. Theologian Rudolf Otto called this experience 'numinosum.' But in this article, we'll refer to it as the mystical experience. All throughout history, the mystical experience has been referred to as a 'religious' or spiritual experience, where the

There is one particular state of consciousness that can change your life forever. This holy moment can only be described as 'ecstatic' in that your connection to life expands significantly. In this profound state of being, you feel that life is full of beauty and sacredness – yet this feeling is not subjective, but is instead an objective phenomenon that is outside your personal self. Theologian Rudolf Otto called this experience 'numinosum.' But in this article, we'll refer to it as the mystical experience. All throughout history, the mystical experience has been referred to as a 'religious' or spiritual experience, where the

So, here's the thing. We might do Instagram-perfect yoga. We might meditate for at least an hour a day. We might pray. Say mantras. Do mudras. Send love to the world. We might have a hoard of crystals and other spiritual trinkets. We might do elaborate daily rituals, eat a whole food cruelty-free diet, and fast every month. We might burn incense, smile all day, say affirmations, and say 'love and light' or 'namaste' a lot. We might call ourselves spiritual seekers, healers, empaths, intuitives, old souls, or yogis. But in my humble opinion, all of this doesn't mean shit if

What is the meaning of life? We are terrified by the question and at the same time, madly thrilled by it. It’s an age-old, primordial question at the heart of all humanity. What’s the point of going through all this fuss? Why were we born? Why do we die? WHY does everything exist anyway? If you've come to this page, you're likely at a crossroads in life. You might feel lost and completely without a clue as to what your true calling is. Perhaps you've searched for years, but nothing quite 'fit' or seemed right. Or perhaps, you've only begun

Every child deserves the fundamental right to feel safe, secure and protected. But not every child does. Growing up, it is the emotional, psychological, and biological responsibility of our parents and family members to create a safe environment for us. But not all parents accept that responsibility, are aware of that responsibility, or have the capacity to fulfill that responsibility. Safety doesn’t just mean physically protecting us from harm, feeding us, or the other essentials. Safety also means supporting us on the emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels inherent to us as human beings. What happens when we don’t feel safe

Blending Eastern Mysticism with Western practicality, involution is a word that represents the inner evolution of the heart, mind, and soul. In essence, involution is not a dogma, creed or doctrine, but an experiential practice of life. You can observe it everywhere. It is a philosophy of life. Contrary to evolution which is externally focused (yet still necessary), involution is the transformation of the internal world through the inner work processes of self-awareness, self-discovery, self-understanding, self-love, self-transformation, and self-mastery. Ultimately, it is involution that helps to transform and liberates us from suffering through the process of internal growth and spiritual

Having a martyr complex is like having a get out of jail free card. It allows you to evade guilt and shame, bypass self-responsibility, and perhaps most importantly (and tragically), it allows you to dodge real life self-growth. Having a martyr complex essentially involves pointing the finger at other people or situations in your life and blaming them for your illnesses, disappointments, crushed dreams, and emotional turmoil. So what is a Martyr? Do you have a Martyr in your life? And most importantly, do you tend to exhibit Martyrdom? Table of contentsFirstly, What is a Martyr?What is a Martyr COMPLEX?Why

You’re surrounded by people. They’re laughing, smiling, and talking. Everyone seems to be having a great time – they all seem to feel so connected with each other. But no matter how much you want that feeling, you can’t help but feel completely alone. A sense of heaviness and hollowness may fill your chest as you watch them all: I am alone, completely and utterly alone. Nobody can truly see me. No one truly understands me. No one even cares. I'm of no importance to them. I'm not like them at all. Your thoughts may spiral as the emptiness you

For centuries, alchemy has become synonymous with gaining wealth and immortality. But this perception of alchemy is largely misguided: it stems from confusing the metaphors of original alchemy with reality. Alchemy, as a result, became a pseudo-science of transforming lead into gold. These days, alchemy is thought of as something quaint, even a little occult; a relic of the dark ages. But there is tremendous wisdom to be found within this obscure, archaic philosophy. Contrary to popular belief, alchemy is not about transmuting base metals into gold – instead, it's the secret science of illumination, inner liberation, and awakening to

To many of us, self-awareness is like a mythical unicorn: Sometimes, we catch fleeting glimpses of it. But as soon as we’ve spotted it, it vanishes into thin air. What is this mysterious quality that we think we possess, but actually rarely do? Most importantly, WHY is self-awareness so important? In a nutshell, being self-aware is an essential part of the spiritual journey. In fact, without this fundamental quality, there can be no hope for spiritual or psychological growth. Self-awareness is the very first stepping stone towards expanded consciousness and experiences such as: Deeper self-understanding More self-compassion Increased love for

Emotional intelligence is a vital life skill. In fact, many psychologists consider it to be just as important as one's intelligence quotient (IQ) because it helps us to live and love with ease.When answering this Emotional IQ test, please be as honest as you can. At the end, you’ll receive an estimate of how high your emotional intelligence is.If you feel that his Emotional IQ test could benefit a friend or family member, share it!What did you get?Share your results!

There’s a worm addicted to eating grape leaves.Suddenly he wakes up, call it grace, whatever, something wakes him, and he’s no longer a worm.He’s the entire vineyard, and the orchard too, the fruit, the trunks, a growing wisdom and joy that doesn't need to devour.~ Rumi ('The Worm’s Waking', The Essential Rumi) For the past few years, we've been writing about Soul Ages as a way to explain the process of existential recurrence - our individual lives rippling through eternity. Once we've accepted the nature of our soul's existence, there are a few important questions that are raised. What is the

In life, we all tend to believe that we are unworthy on some deep, undefinable level. No matter whether we believe that we're unworthy of happiness, pleasure, fulfillment, or even love, we all have a 'core wound' deep inside that varies according to our circumstances and life experiences. This deep, fundamental wound is the result of the foundational beliefs that we were taught since birth, contributing to the faulty self-image that we continue to carry around with us to this very day. Our core wounds are our deepest seated pains in life. They are our oldest and most miserable friends.

When you first dig up the festering mess of your core beliefs from the depths of your being you'll likely experience one of three emotions: excitement, confusion, or grief – or all three at once. As one of the most fundamental practices on the inner journey of spiritual awakening, uncovering our toxic core beliefs is definitely not a clean or sanitary path. But it is vital. We ALL carry our own devilish assortment of toxic core beliefs that eat away at our sanity on either a conscious or unconscious level. Typically, they influence every level of our being. To effectively

Scrying, also known by the names of hydromancy, crystal gazing and oculomancy, is the ancient art of revelation. Traditionally, scrying has been portrayed through the popular image of the psychic gazing over her crystal ball. But scrying, like all esoteric practices, is not about “seeing the future.” The future can’t be seen, it can only be speculated based on present moment information. The word “scrying” actually comes from the Old English word descry which means “to make out dimly” or “to reveal.” Therefore, scrying is about revealing the unseen through the use of our in-born second sight. Second sight is

There is an old and wise parable that you may have heard. It goes like this: One day an old Cherokee man sits down with his grandson to teach him about life. “A fight is going on inside of me,” he says to the boy. “It’s a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is full of rage, jealousy, arrogance, greed, sorrow, regret, lies, laziness, and self-pity.” He continues, “The other is good – he is filled with love, joy, peace, generosity, truth, empathy, courage, humility, and faith. This same fight is going on inside the hearts

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?– Satchel Paige There is a special kind of person in our world who finds herself alone and isolated, almost since birth. Her solitary existence isn't from a preference or an antisocial temperament – she is simply old. Old in heart, old in mind, and old in soul, this person is an old soul who finds her outlook on life vastly different and more ripened than those around her. As a result, the old soul lives her life internally, walking her own solitary path while the rest

Your hectic day has finally lulled to a stop. There’s nothing left to do. There’s nothing more to say. Now you have time to relax. But instead, the silence descends upon you with oppressive force. You feel suffocated underneath the weight of this momentary, but seemingly eternal, nothingness. Suddenly that old feeling returns … the feeling of desolation, the feeling of a gaping inner hole inside. Your insides ache under the gnawing pressure of this profound vacuum. How can feeling empty be so terribly painful? As the feeling intensifies, so does your desire to seek relief. No matter what it

When you first dig up the festering mess of your core beliefs from the depths of your being you'll likely experience one of three emotions: excitement, confusion, or grief – or all three at once. As one of the most fundamental practices on the inner journey of spiritual awakening, uncovering our toxic core beliefs is definitely not a clean or sanitary path. But it is vital. We ALL carry our own devilish assortment of toxic core beliefs that eat away at our sanity on either a conscious or unconscious level. Typically, they influence every level of our being. To effectively

Solitude and Loneliness. They seem very similar on the outside, but the only characteristic both have in common is the state of physical solitude. Inside, solitude and loneliness are both tremendously different experiences. While solitude is chosen, loneliness is imposed by others. Solitude is the desire to be in your own presence and enjoy your own company. Loneliness is a wretched feeling of isolation, and that someone or something is missing. The capacity to experience true solitude comes from an inner richness. It is this inner depth that causes us to focus our entire being towards our passions, or bathe in the

Spiritual bypassing is a very persistent shadow of spirituality, manifesting in many forms, often without being acknowledged. – R. Augustus What comes to mind when you think of ‘spirituality’? You might picture beautiful temples, ethereal instruments, golden Buddhas, gardens and forests of paradise, the faces of enlightened masters, angels, mountain ranges, sunsets, or any number of other dazzling images. We tend to associate spiritual awakening with transcendental and heightened states of being that are invariably associated with feelings of happiness, joy, deep inner peace, and contentment. While all of this is true and wonderful, many of us become intoxicated, distracted,