Tell me what you know of that is not inside the soul? Take a pitcher full of water and set it down on the water โ now it has water inside and water outside.ย We mustn’t give it a nameย …ย If you want the truth, I’ll tell you the truth;ย Listen to the secret sound, the real sound, which is inside you.
~ Kabir (Ecstatic Poems)
It’s in our human nature to want to divide where we end and others begin.
Yet only once we’ve established healthy boundaries can we discover and experience the common waters of Spirit that Kabir mentions above.
As the philosopher, Teilhard de Chardin eloquently put it, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Spiritual Wanderer Course:
Being a lone wolf and a spiritual wanderer is a sacred calling in life โ a unique and alchemical path of awakening. You donโt need to feel lost, alone, or stuck on your journey any more. Itโs time to meet your soulโs deep needs for clarity, self-acceptance, and empowerment. Let us show you how โฆ
Learning to live life from this perspective makes all the difference by welcoming this vast ocean into the small pitchers of our lives.
Remembering that we are spiritual beings helps to remind usย that despite our struggles as individuals, there’s an untameable drop of Spirit within each of us.
Although we may try to block this wellspring of Spirit, we can never fully cease the flow of it.
This sacred wellspring flows through all of life, and it longs forย love, harmony and wholeness.
The Individuation Process
Psychologist Carl Jung once coined the term individuation. He defined it as “a slow, imperceptible process of psychic growth” that gradually results in “a wider and more mature personality.“
Individuation, then, is the lifelong process of growing into wholeness.
Unconsciously, on aย personal and collective level, we are all inherently striving towards self-realization through the constant process of growth.
Shadow & Light Membership:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ "Receiving these messages is a beacon of light and hope for me in currently very challenging times. The words of wisdom speak right to my soul, guiding and encouraging me further on my path. I highly recommend Shadow & Light to everyone who seeks to develop and cultivate a relationship with the Inner Self." โ Karin
Individuation is a process that can be compared to the growth of an oak tree from a single acorn.
The acorn represents us and our potential. The oak tree (that is born from the acorn) represents totality: the fulfillment of our potential.
In this way, individuation is essentially the process of embodying our true potential, calling, and authentic selves.
Individuation, however, isn’t solely about the development of our ego selves.
Ego development is only one part of the process of individuation, not the end result.
The purpose of individuation is the development of what Jung referred to as the “Psyche” (the Greek word for “Soul”) which goes deeper than the ego.
In life, all of us experience the call of individuation. We all want to express ourselves on an ego level, but we also crave for something deeper, something that transcends the ego.
The individuation process is, all at once, about the process of becoming differentiated and unique, but also a process of becoming whole and united with others.
Only once you get to know the exactย shape of your piece of the cosmic puzzle, will you be able to find your place within the puzzle as a whole. This allows you to experienceย Spirit and Soul.
The Only Way Out, Is Through
For each of us in life, there exists a set of inner doors that no one can go through, except for us.
Would you like to save this?
Your information will never be shared.
Our individuation processes are not linear, but circular.
Individuation is a journey towards wholeness in which we create a balanced relationship between our inner and outer worlds.
This is a delicate art.
Perhaps that’s why Jung depictedย our wholeness as a circle with a dot in the center, proclaiming, “self is not only the center, but also the whole circumference.”
Throughout the ages, men have been intuitively aware of the existence of such an inner center that guided their life journeys.
The Greeks called this center manโs inner “daimon”ย (meaning “to be motivated by a spiritual force”). In ancient Egypt, this inner force was expressed as the concept of the “Ba”ย (soul) and the Romans worshiped it as the “genius” native to each individual.
Jung once asked himself, “What is it, in the end, that induces a man to go his own way and to rise out of unconscious identity with the mass as out of a swathing mist?”
He concluded,ย “It is what is commonly called vocation: an irrational factor that destines a man to emancipate himself from the herd and from its well-worn paths. Anyone with a vocation hears that voice of his inner man: he is called.“
There’s a moment in our lives when we awaken to this inner vocation. When we listen to our soft, innermost voices, we become like aliens in society.
We stop caring about what our parents, families, friends, and cultures pressure us to be. We crave more. This is the moment when our spiritual journeys begin. This is the moment when weย begin our unique tasks of individuation. And this is always something different for each of us.
The soul knows that there is only one way to fulfill itself, and that is through creating balance with the inner and outer, ego and spiritual self.
Perhaps the oldest truth of all self-discovery is that the only way out is through. In other words, the only way to leave behind our emptiness and unhappiness is to embark on a journey through the ego.
6 Reasons Whyย Individuation Is Crucial For Our Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health
Individuation is not only the process of cultivating wholeness and becoming our “authentic and true selves.” It is also the process of becoming a fully mature human being.
At different points throughout our lives, we’ll receive different callings and come across new doors that await us.
When we are young, these callings might manifest themselves as the formation of our personalities.
Spiritual Awakening Bundle:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ "This was probably one of the best purchases I made in a long time โฆ These are some of the most valuable texts Iโve ever read, and I'll never forget the path they started me on. Thank you so much for writing it and putting it out there for us to find." โ Heloรญsa
As we grow older, these callings might manifest themselves as learning empathy, or community.
Each calling is just as necessary as the next. We can only move on once we’ve completely integrated the lesson each door has in store for us.
By successfully progressing through our individuation, we can:
- Become aware of our social personas, and how they’re not the True Self.
- Become aware of how our subpersonalities operate โ then healing and embracing them from the holistic perspective of the Self.
- Become aware of our core wounds and shadow selves that prevent us from experiencing the wholeness of our egos.
- Awaken to our state of disconnection and soul loss, allowing usย to embark on ourย spiritual journeysย in order to discover our place in the world. This allows us to embody our purpose or vocation.
- Cultivate a conscious relationship to Spirit and in doing so enjoyย intimacy with all of life, and experiencing oneness with all things and with the Universe as a whole.
- Cultivate a conscious relationship with Soul and thus discover our unique and ultimate place in the world, allowing us to serve the world most effectively as older souls.
When we awaken to our deepest longing for growth and our honest desire for love, we enter the realm of Spirit.
As we progressively mature, we begin to realize that we are like waves existing within the One great Sacred Ocean.
Three paths to inner transformation โ hereโs how I can help you go deeper:
1. The Spiritual Wanderer Course: Are you feeling lost, adrift, and unsure of your life's purpose? Gain clarity, focus, and direction on your inner path by uncovering the five archetypes of awakening within you. Learn how to navigate the highs and lows of your inner journey and chart your unique path with 3+ hours of audio-visual content, workbooks, meditations, and a premium test.
2. Shadow & Light Membership: Do you crave consistent support on your spiritual quest? Receive weekly intuitive guidance and learn to embrace your whole self, including your shadow side. Cultivate deeper self-love with our affordable, personalized support.
3. Spiritual Awakening Bundle: Ready to embark on a profound soul-searching adventure? Dive into our collection of essential transformative resources! Explore five illuminating eBooks and seven in-depth journals, plus unlock two special bonuses to empower your spiritual growth.
Well, if people are confused by the vague philosophical nature of the article, and you don’t know how to practically do the advice recommended, I suggest looking up Scott Jeffrey’s blog. He has some practical exercises on shadow work, inner work, and archetype therapy. He also recommends specific books for each type of exercise involved, so you can find more practical advice around this. Though if you search “archetype list,” and pick an archetype you want to reflect on, then I suggest using this set of questions I made to reflect on how this archetype influences you in your life. 1. Do you see this archetype as personally negative, positive, neutral, or both in your subjective experience? Why? 2. How does this archetype appear in prominent people in your life, if any? 3. How does this archetype appear in yourself? 4. What would this archetype in yourself tell you as a message? Have an imaginary conversation with this archetype in your head or in writing if you want. 5. Are you satisfied with how this archetype is expressed, or do you want to change it? 6. What is the light and dark side of this archetype? Do you acknowledge both sides, or do you have a more imbalanced perspective? 7. Offer examples of this archetype within fiction, within famous public figures, or any symbolic figure (Ex. spirit animals, colors, a song, a film, a book, specific cultures, food, drink, flower, tree, etc.). 8. How does this archetype look like to you? Gender, age, name, personality, and however else? What background or life do they live? 9. Does it contradict with any archetypes in you? Let these two or more archetypes talk out their differences with each other in your imagination, while you facilitate the conversation so each get a turn to say what they want. 10. How else is this archetype expressed differently within other people? How are you similar, and how are you different? Offer your thoughts here.
Thank you for your beautiful website.
Thank you Caro โก
I recently have been reading “woman who run with wolves “by Clarissa Pinkola Estes who describes reconnecting with our wild woman/nature through initiation rites [which is like the dark night of the soul , journey to the underworld and back] and she does so using story and old folk tales which is used as medicine and archetypes which I find to be helpful. What you have written about the individuation process really reminds me of that and helps define the initiation better for me. I have trouble though intellectualising it all because I want to get it right[ which I know is a detrimental habit]. Apart from meditation, shadow work and creativity, is there certain activities that can better aid in my learning and progress in this process? I feel I am on the right track but I feel without focus on the matter. Thank you for this Article.
I went through this process after a motorcycle accident. I was meditating to deal with the unconscious effects, and one day while going into meditation I actually went in lucid. I saw my ego. It’s the ugliest thing of all. I ran the first time, but I know what needs to be done. If this happens to anyone else, don’t trust who you meet on the road. It is your ego in disguise.
When I read C. G. Jung after, I realized I’d been through Individuation. I feel like an outsider now, but there is no fear at all. Quite the opposite in fact.
Hey Sol! Good article! I like the concept of finding balance between your outter and inner life… even if it my worst nightmare. I mean, as I child, I had a stong tendency to withdraw and daydream constantly, both because I liked it, and… because I was a “diffrent child”, disable, moody, and gifted. I felt subsconsiously (I guess) that people wanted to change me on a deeeeeeep level, like “take my soul away” to make me fit in… It is still my greatest fear nowadays. I know it’s irrational, but of course it doesn’t help.I developed a serious “reald world phobia”, because the idea of dissolving my soul in this ocean is terrifying to me… even enlightenement is, in some way. Today I feel stuck in my work and life in general. I don’t know how people can live, or even take one single step in a lifeless world when you just have to hide who are, shut up and keep your feet on the ground to appear “normal”. I refuse to live in such a world!
Mee too. I too don’t want to live in this world. Maybe one day we can find ourselves.
Such edifying wisdom & deep insights… Thank you <3
I’m happy you found value in it Patricia :).
I very much enjoyed this article, thank you for writing it. After going through a serious of traumatic experiences including psychological abuse, I made it my mission in life to become whole, to vibe so high that I would repel toxicity in my life. I’m in a much better place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually now, but it was painful “going through”. My commitment to personal growth and understanding myself has put me on a path where I can have mutually healthy connections. My life is so much better now and I’m excited about what’s to come. I wish you all peace and love on your journey home to yourselves โค.
I completely resonate with this article and it is my goal to help everyone reach this path. I’ve always wanted to help people. Even as a child, I would always be more interested in the underdog, or the person alone in a corner getting bullied. It’s like compassion and empathy was ingrained in me. I’ve been away from the “herd” for a while, which has helped me gain the confidence to purse my purpose in life coaching. If I can be the bridge to help at least one person awaken to their authentic selves, I would be happy. The money is only the icing on the cake.
You’re fortunate Tasha, you’ve found your ‘vocation’ :).
I’ve been much the same through my life, the underdogs and ‘loners’ provided an interpersonal depth I felt was very fulfilling in its complexity; those who choose or are are forced into, isolation from the herd because they prefer to listen to that strong voice within them that demands they be different.
Money is empty and soulless, much of the life of LonerWolf we’ve been losing money from the expenses and yet still found it one of the most fulfilling projects we have. It’s only recently I’ve considered making money from the website to provide us with more free time from our practice to create more free content.
don Mateo,
Do you have anything creative like artwork you can sell? How about starting a healing center — permaculture greenhouses etc?
We already run a local practice, but we’re currently working on a new website that will be complimentary to LonerWolf’s work. :)
sounds good!
Some of those lone bullies just need someone to stand up to them. If you help people you life coach you’ll have to be stronger than the bullies they fear. I stood up to bullies and sometimes they break down and there’s a descent person underneath their bullying fear. Many times underdogs are not so innocent either.