Evolving Can Feel Very Uncomfortable

We wonder what we were holding onto.

Growth is a disruptive process that alters how we view ourself and the world. It requires the uncomfortable realisation that our past views were flawed. Outgrowing old beliefs feels like losing a part of ourself. We relied on ‘toys’, material objects that provided temporary comfort and distraction; our status in society uses physical goods instead of internal maturity to measure progress.

Admitting past errors forces us to confront our own vulnerability. This causes friction as we move forward, creating distance between us and our family and friends.

Our past self provides the necessary data to assess progress – it’s not an embarrassment. Empathy replaces judgment, as we realise that others are still stuck in rigid ideas. We are all a work in progress as we’re encumbered by our personal doubts and confusion.

If we’re on a spiritual path, conformity can stop the process. While the early stages of a practice require us to conform to specific instructions such as learning standard meditation techniques or ethical principles, this structure is merely a temporary scaffolding.

True maturity on the path requires outgrowing that scaffolding to allow infinite room for direct, uninhibited experience of reality.

The uncomfortable feeling arises from the understanding
that we were committed to other people’s paths/ways.

We all have our own specific doubts and confusion to clarify.