Most people have heard the expression “doing an inner journey”, but what does that really mean? First we travel inwards. This simply means focusing on what your inner world is about – your thoughts, your emotions, your memories and their meaning, your ideas, and your dreams. What we dream at night, is often our subconscious trying to process our impressions of the day, but also sometimes telling us things that needs to be brought to the surface for us to deal with. Perhaps a fear, a problem, we’ve tried to hide underneath the proverbial rug, or even a message from the spirit world. It’s said that our souls come lose during our sleep, and can meet with others, in our collective consciousness and from there carry with it information and inspiration. These things, can be realized, when we do an inward journey, such as through meditation and/or journaling.

What’s not so often talked about though, is the outward journey. We talk with others the same way we usually do. Sometimes, we even talk about the same things, and in the same way, regardless of who we are talking to, where, and when. That usually means we’re stuck in a thought pattern or dealing with an upset, or even assumed that we are, others expecting us to be and communicate a certain way, not at all congruent with our current state of mind and heart. However, looking inward before expressing ourselves, can enable a true blossoming. When we take what we’ve found within, and share it consciously, a door opens to new discoveries and a more deep understanding of both ourselves, others, and our world. And to dare share this, is where we mold ourselves into a constant evolving being. We can try our findings with others, which either makes us solidify our own insights, or let us develop them further, with others’ input. To dare take in others’ perspectives, as well as to dare share our own, from within our authentic self, is what enables a true exchange, free from pretences. And through this, we set ourselves free and can expand.

What are your true gems? What’s an inner longing or need you have? What’s an insight you’ve made about something you’ve been pondering about? What happens when you speak this out loud with people you can trust showing you respect?