When facing psychological or physical difficulties, approach them as crises of meaning rather than just symptoms, because addressing the underlying crisis is essential for true progress and for life to move forward beyond symptomatic improvement.
Engage in a process of sorting and sifting to discern which voices (internal and external) are truly yours, as this recovery of personal authority is the central project of the second half of life and prevents offenses to your autonomy and dignity.
Regularly ask yourself if you are living the life intended by your nature, rather than solely by cultural expectations, because living adaptively without authenticity can lead to psychopathology and a feeling of emptiness.
Transition from asking “what’s the world asking of me” to “what is life/the soul asking of me” as you mature psychologically, as this shift helps you align with your deepest essence and vocation, leading to a more profound and meaningful life.
Identify what is most deeply true for you and consistently live by it, mobilizing courage to do so, because this will lead to an inner feeling of rightness, regardless of external approval, and is a form of service.
Understand that the adaptive personality you’ve developed to fit in and succeed can become your primary obstacle to living authentically, helping you differentiate who you really are from the roles you play, preventing suffering of the soul.
View symptoms (physical or psychological) as distress signals from your body and psyche, indicating a need to correct your life’s course, allowing you to make empowered choices and align with your true nature.
Identify and investigate counterproductive, hurtful, or self-sabotaging patterns in your life, because understanding the emotional premise behind these patterns helps you evoke a conversation with the unconscious and make conscious changes.
Start paying attention to your dreams, as they contain wisdom and tell you the pathway that is right for you, pathologizing when you get off track.
Use dreams as an invitation to pause, step off the “treadmill,” and explore your inner worlds, as this act of reflection itself is beneficial, prompting self-exploration and a conversation with your psyche.
Actively recover the innate curiosity you had as a child, asking fundamental questions about self, others, nature, purpose, and meaning, because living large questions leads to a larger psychospiritual life.
Reflect on your childhood curiosities, interests, and passions, and find ways to reignite that spirit within you, adapting to current limitations if necessary, as this ignites your natural spirit and energy, leading to a passionate and alive existence.
If you achieve all your life goals but still feel an inner emptiness or lack direction, recognize this as a sign you’re not listening to your inner voice, indicating a disconnect from your true self and a need for genuine expression.
Notice when you feel forced to do something, especially if it’s solely for external validation, and recognize this inner resistance, as it can signal that the activity is not aligned with what your soul genuinely wants to express.
Stop blaming others and take personal accountability for living your life, even if it means facing difficult choices or “exile” from familiar patterns, as this allows you to outgrow reactive patterns and avoid being exiled from your own soul.
Never stop asking fundamental questions about life, meaning, and your purpose, because continuously asking these questions is essential for ongoing personal growth.
Understand that purpose relates to external goals and adaptations, while meaning stems from your inner realities and soul’s expression, as this distinction helps you align your outer actions with your inner truth, leading to a more harmonious life.
Identify your inner core values (e.g., kindness) and actively live in alignment with them in all daily interactions, even in jobs you dislike, as this makes your life purposeful and meaningful, honoring who you are, and can lead to new opportunities.
Identify and cultivate strong reasons to live, such as supporting loved ones, maintaining insatiable curiosity and continuous learning, and engaging in work that is deeply meaningful to you, as these provide a profound impetus to live and contribute to a vibrant, engaged existence.
Continuously ask yourself what you can still learn and how you can continue to grow and develop, as this mindset prevents stagnation and contributes to a meaningful life.
Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and sharing knowledge (teaching), not just in academic settings but in basic life questions, as this fosters a rich life journey and helps you remember fundamental questions forgotten since childhood.
As a parent, model a dynamic, growing life that takes legitimate risks, as this teaches children that life is full of choices and gives them permission to undertake their own developmental stages.
Understand that significant pain or suffering can be a necessary catalyst to gain your attention and prompt self-investigation, as it can be a summons to confront your fears and outgrow reactive patterns.
Take seriously the thoughts and questions that arise during quiet moments, like a 3 AM conversation, because these thoughts often represent something within you that is seeking your respect and attention.
Address and remove doubt, cynicism, or fear that might prevent you from engaging with your inner depths, such as remembering dreams, because your psyche is not against you and ignoring inner forces means they act autonomously.
Pay attention to your energy systems; if you feel supported, you’re doing what’s right for you, if you’re forcing it, it leads to burnout, because energy supports you when aligned, forcing leads to burnout.
Prioritize living a life that is purposefully and meaningfully engaged, rather than solely focusing on extending lifespan, as longevity without meaning is trivial, and a reason to get up in the morning is crucial for a vibrant life.
Be aware of the ego’s desire for self-perpetuation and distinguish it from the pursuit of a genuinely meaningful life, as this prevents an “infantile” focus on trivial self-perpetuation and redirects energy towards profound contributions.
Practice compassion for the world and be mindful of your place on the planet, as this enriches life, helps you rediscover lost flavors of existence, and contributes to leaving a better planet for descendants.
Engage in physical disciplines (like daily walking) to support your body’s capacity for continued learning and exploration, ensuring your body can continue to support your “marvelous exploration of continuing to learn.”
Actively start examining your life and its underlying motivations, as this process quickens your capacity for self-reflection and leads to a richer life.