July 31, 2026
In ancient times, knowledge was largely spread by storytelling. When travelers would go from place to place, they would share how they came across a certain danger and how they avoided it by telling their story. This is part of the reason why we, as humans, are so captivated by stories. This knowledge was gold, for it helped listeners learn about the world around them and survive certain dangers themselves.
Well, nowadays, if I wanted to know whether a berry was edible or which trails to hike to reach a certain destination, I could just do a search on the almighty Google. I can even ask ChatGPT what to pack for the journey! As the availability of knowledge has increased a thousandfold since the time of our ancestors, so too has been our practical understanding of how the world works.
So then, how does a Google search apply to our inner lives? Many have walked the path of self-discovery before us, who have met similar challenges and have shared ways to help us overcome our own limitations. If I decided to one day hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, it would be wise to find someone who could show me how!
For the sincere aspirant, reading spiritual books, listening to talks, and connecting with other like-minded souls, for instance, are necessary steps on our journey. Yet, where the rubber meets the road is that, to make notable spiritual progress, we have to apply what we learn into practice. So, what does that really look like?
Each of our journeys is similar, as well as unique. My challenges may be completely different from yours. Yet we all have something we can learn from each other. Oftentimes, by the simple act of asking the universe for direction and actively listening for a response, we can gain profound insights in the most unassuming ways. I could simply be having a conversation with a man while waiting for my tire to be changed, for instance, and hear just what I needed to hear in that moment.
The next and equally important phase is actively testing our guidance. We have to make our lives a laboratory of self-discovery. A quote may sound nice on paper, yet when we apply it to our lives, our knowledge turns into wisdom because we understand it from within.
Written by Jaidhara Sleighter
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