Are you feeling restless? As if maybe there’s something more out there? Embarking on your own version of a spiritual odyssey can help you create an authentic life.
Throughout times and history, we humans have searched for meaning, for a reason that explains—or perhaps even justice—our existence in the stars, proof of God, and signs to guide us along some clearly defined path. Along the way, we’ve assembled cultures that have created sacred rituals devoted entirely to this search, often through a transformational experience such as the Native American vision quest or Christian mystical experience.
While looking for a deeper meaning to life beyond alarm clocks and paychecks is an important part of our evolution, the myths, legends, and historical doctrines that recount the quests of others can be as daunting as they are inspiring. Scholar Joseph Campbell’s acclaimed study of what he calls “the hero’s journey,” for instance, examines tales of heroes battling dark forces and ascending to often mythic proportions.
Given that few of us have the means to launch a full-scale odyssey or the time to meditate on some remote mountainside, a personal quest may seem impossibly out of reach. The truth is, the journey toward creating a more meaningful and satisfying life may be as siple as learning to listen to our institution.
ref: yogajournal
