Most of us were taught in school that metaphors were poetic or rhetorical tools. Our innerlivesmatter because metaphor is how the soul observes and teaches us context. It does this by helping us to see the larger picture, something the ego is usually incapable of doing until it awakens—if ever. Everyone knows that a picture is worth 1000 words, metaphor is why.

Individuals suffering with addiction are more than their demons or wounds. In other words, they are more than their egos. A psychospiritual context espouses this absolute: addicts (just like you and I) are spiritual beings forced to resolve a psychological existence. Perfect in their imperfections, they have yet to learn that their dis-ease is self-correcting in nature, which is true for every human being. This does not have to be stigmatized, but rather embraced with compassion. In other words, we (and addicts) need to be suffered awake. While the debate raves on that addiction is a brain disease, we are missing the co-occurring problem that addiction is accompanied by significant psychological dis-ease.

I think it’s safe to say that to be connected to one’s inner life doesn’t begin to capture the depth of a lifetime commitment to spiritual growth. But...there is a single focus one can use as a beginning. By that I mean, living an ethical or compassionate existence versus one that is ego-driven. This would be no small deal. You can wait for a wake-up moment like trauma or you can take the accumulative adversity that has been your life and--awaken to it. Either way, spiritual evolution is considered to be the first and most important step during one’s inner journey. Though there are no shortcuts – there is an orientation to the task that is sorely missing in the culture. That orientation is one of self-realization.

We’re being reminded here lately that when the rule of law decays in the culture, it’s usually because there are insufficient corrective measures to keep it in place. The implication is that we (especially the young) need to be aware of this decay when its occurring. It is the language of this discussion that made me want to add it to my Camino minutes. We’re talking about things like fairness, integrity, and truth with the particular emphasis on truth. In other words, we’re being reminded in 2018 that truth should matter.

Distraction is anything that puts us in our heads. The problem of course is that most of us are already there. Experts say in fact, 60,000 thoughts a day. Individuals on a different speed than the world around them can be challenging. Imagine ‘shame’ for speeding on the highway (as silly as that sounds) and you understand the anxiety, rapid speech, and hyperactive thinking of a distractible person. Always speeding. Always being told to slow down. Always breaking the speed limit. Always feeling like they are overwhelming anyone they interact with. Their first impulse is to be aware of their impulses. It’s this vigilance that creates anxiety. Hyperactivity and distractibility quickly become another reason to apologize for ‘‘how’ they are. Ironically, this energy has nothing to do with ‘what’ they are…a to be alive force that wants to reach its fullest expression…just like everyone else.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the western world was doing the other day with the Pope’s reprieve from hell. If you missed it, the timing was interesting – it was just before Easter. The relief from hell only lasted a few hours. If you didn’t see it the headline read ‘Pope says Hell doesn’t exist.’ I had to laugh and thought could you imagine…right. But, the folks around him were quick to say that the conversation may have happened but what the Pope meant was that ‘the WAY’ we talk about hell… doesn't exist. Here are my thoughts.

When passing the midway point on the Potomac (92-93 miles) the thought occurred to me that this would be a wonderful time to tell you a story—in particular—your story. One that captures your beginnings but doesn’t get your attention until the midway point on your path (35-45 years of age). You can tell me if it resonates.

If there is one repetitive theme that psychology sees in the human experience it is the conditioning that there is a right and wrong way to be. If you’ve been alive for very long, you’ve probably learned that rules nor morals actually change behavior.

If anyone is connected to Oprah, I strongly encourage you to have her people seek me out. Her recent quote on GMA captures the core of Intentional Guided Evolution a psychospiritual model of the human condition born out of my work with severe trauma. Though her words are beautifully valid, the culture lacks a context for the internal GPS she speaks of.

Emma Gonzales created the most poignant moment of the March on the 24th—with silence. 6 minutes and 20 seconds of not speaking created the reflection and introspection that happens when we are directed inward. Though the silence was striking, even solemn, it was a reminder that some things are beyond words.