Let’s face it. The spiritual path can feel lonely at times.
Our soul journeys require us to break from our past, develop a sense of individuality, and differentiate from the harmful interpersonal, familial, and societal influences that no longer serve us.
These soul journeys require us to get clear on what we DO want in our lives, and to silence our inner critic that tells us that achieving our dreams is not possible.
Our soul journeys ask us to remember that we have the power to create our own destiny. They ask us to grow that power consciously through our daily practices and self-development.
Our soul journeys require us to be ever-present, fully conscious, and aware at all times so that we can stay in tune with our own physical, mental, and emotional needs, and aligned with our vision for our future.
While tuning into our own needs and getting in touch with our souls can ultimately provide us with the greatest source of comfort and security we have ever experienced, it can also feel lonely at times.
Sometimes our unique, individual needs are the polar opposite of what we’ve learned from our families and practiced for our entire lives. Pushing the boundaries of what was “normal” can feel physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging, especially when you feel like you are doing it all alone.
But the spiritual path doesn’t have to be a lonely one. In fact, it won’t feel lonely at all when you befriend your kalyanamitra.
In yoga, we use the word “kalyanamitra” to describe our friends on the spiritual path.
Friends who are also on the path can support you, offer a listening ear, and keep you motivated to do what is best for you. Kalyanamitra can offer advice, and often will, but spiritual friends know that each one of us is on our own path and so we must ultimately listen to our own inner guidance.
While I tend to view kalyanamitra as human friends, our spiritual friends don’t have to be human. Our experiences of loss, gain, pleasure, and pain can also serve as kalyanamitra if we remain open to them, and greet them with open arms.
Have you ever befriended your challenging experiences, rather than complain about them? Have you ever found gratitude for the problems that have arisen in your life? If you are feeling down or stuck, ask yourself if there are any non-human spiritual friends you may not be recognizing. Maybe, just maybe, a challenge has entered your experience to open you up to an evolved version of yourself. If you can find it within you to find gratitude for that which causes your suffering, you may just be able to find your way through it.
There are few things of which I am certain, and one of them is this: The universe wants us to grow and expand.
Anything and anyone that serves to shake me out of my current perspective and make me aware of that which lies beyond my narrow experience of myself is a friend for whom I am eternally grateful.
