Begin the Adventure of Self-Exploration
by David Bohl
It sounds strange to imagine someone not really knowing who they are, what they want, or where they’re going. But it’s not all that uncommon for many people to be pretty clueless about themselves.
Have you ever asked someone what their life passions were, only to have them give you a blank stare? Or do you ever remember being asked to define your purpose in life, only to answer that you didn’t realize you had one?
I think it’s really sad how many of us go through lives being out of touch with the deeper part of ourselves. Oh sure, most of us know what foods we like, what leisure activities we enjoy, and maybe what our favorite color is. But for the most part, so many people muddle through life unconscious of their deepest needs, desires, and gifts.
Of course, there are some who have awakened to the realization that they are more than their physical body, more than their thoughts, and that there’s more to life than what their five senses report to them. However, these folks are the minority, although an ever-growing segment of the population.
If you want to join that group to enrich your life and live fully 100%, consider beginning your own adventure of self-exploration. What do I mean by that? Mostly, I see it as taking time to tune out the outside world, and tune into your inner world. Yes, there is a world inside of each of us, one that I imagine is even vaster than the world outside. As far as we can imagine reaching into outer space, I believe we can reach that far into inner space.
Why would anyone decide to take this journey? What motivates those who seem to be on a continuous self-exploration voyage? I think it boils down to a certain level of dissatisfaction in life. We may set a goal, achieve it, and then find we’re not all done, there are more goals to set and achieve, more “stuff” to acquire.
We always seem to want more, and at some point we realize it’s never enough. Yet, when we delve into that inner world that needs no “stuff” for satisfaction, we may indeed find satisfaction–in just being, rather than doing and having.
The way to begin your self-exploration is by making the decision to do so and then taking the time to embark on the adventure. At first, maybe set aside one hour to start. Ultimately, you will probably want to spend more time on this journey, maybe one hour a day or one day per week or more. Here are some steps you can take on your adventure of self-exploration. Enjoy the journey!
1. Go within.
Some people practice formal meditation, others just sit quietly with eyes closed, for a period of time. The idea is to quiet your mind of the constant barrage of thoughts, and experience a peaceful mind. Experienced meditators report that beyond the mind chatter is the voice of the inner self. When you can listen to your inner self, you will become acquainted with that deeper you–who you are at your core, why you are here, what your highest purpose is.
2. Journal.
After you have quieted your mind for a period of time, open your eyes and write any impressions you have from your journey inside. Did you hear any words of wisdom? Did any of your questions about your life get answered? As you journal on a regular basis, the wisdom you receive will increase, because you will get more and more in touch with this inner part of you.
3. Brainstorm.
You can do this yourself or with close friends or family. Make lists of activities you love, skills you have, values you embrace. Then look for what matters most to you. Doing this will bring you closer to your deeper needs, desires, and purpose. You’ll start to understand what motivates you, what brings you joy, and what you need to do to stay connected to this inner you.
4. Get guidance.
Read a book, work with a guide, take a workshop. Plenty of options are available to direct you on your path to self-exploration. Louise L. Hay, Wayne Dyer, and other popular authors like these have created books and workbooks that show you how to take the journey inside. Do this alone or find a friend or group of people to join you. Find a Meet Up group or contact a local spiritual organization or university.
Whatever path you choose, your adventure of self-exploration will be the greatest adventure of your lifetime.
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Some very good tips here David.
My inner journey began out of inspiration. I started waking up in the nite with a strong urge to write I started scribbling in the dark not knowing what I was writing and then fell asleep this happened nite after nite. In the morning when I woke I looked at what I had written and saw strange words which I had never seen before. I was writing about things not known to me at all. I began to wonder how this could be and what was happening to me and subsequently started to investigate but not knowing where to look. Then one day whilst on holiday I stumbled upon a store selling all kinds of spiritual paraphanalia, I picked up a book about meditation I read a few words and thought maybe I could do some of this to help me sleep through the nite. But then whilst reading I noticed something else that I cannot describe, something incredibly beautiful and sort of holy I then thought there’s more to this than meets the eye and was inspired to investigate further. That investigation has proved to be the most amazing, frustrating, awesome, time consuming, deeply satisfying and terrifying thing I could have ever embarked upon.
My motivation later turned into a deep desire to know the truth ie what is existence, reality, meaning and purpose, who am I etc. I decided that no matter what it took I was going to pursue this.
I believe that if the seeker is sincere and willing to make the necessary commitment their path will be revealed. Meditation and journaling are very good starting points.
I think that a lot of people, myself included, don’t really know ourselves because we’ve been too caught up in being whatever everyone else thought we should be.
I’ve recently begun using Thought Field Therapy as outlined in Robert Bray’s book No Open Wounds, and am finding that as I peel away the layers of pain and trauma that I’ve collected over the years (mostly from allowing myself to get lost in what other people wanted of me) I am much more able to see and feel the real me, and to know more of what it is I want and what my life purpose truly is supposed to be.
And as I learn to be me, I find that meditation and journalling — two things I never made time for before — have become the cornerstones of my day. It’s nice to get the confirmation from more experienced people like yourself to know that I’m doing something right!