Traveling has a remarkable way of opening up new doors. It teaches us that there is so much more to life than what we’ve been told. It also broadens our horizons and allows us to dig deeper – not only in the way we view others and the world around us, but in the way we see ourselves. Enriching travel experiences bring us invaluable growth and personal development, but what good is it if we don’t integrate these insights and lessons into our lives when we get home? Enter the inner journey of exploration.
The inner world vs. the outer world
Having visited over 45 countries, I am always looking for ways to apply what I learn abroad to my routines and rituals at home. From East Asia to the Western Hemisphere, there is so much knowledge and wisdom out there that we can incorporate into our daily lives. Throughout this page, you will find many interesting (and helpful) ways of doing things that transcend borders, cultures, and any other barriers placed on humanity.
The truth is, no country has an exclusivity of good ideas; we can all learn from one another and extract meaningful (and tangible) information that can make our lives better. Throughout my travel blog, you will find content about the outer journey; that is the physical world. On this page, you will find takeaways of what I’ve learned about ourselves, including the mechanisms that help us to evolve. Welcome to the inner journey.
Pushing beyond the comfort zone
From here, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and lean into new ways of thinking. Allow your inquisitive inner child to come out and play. With curiosity and enthusiasm, I invite you to bring your A-game as you focus your attention on the inner world of exploration. In doing so, we can profoundly change our lives and the world around us.
Below, you’ll learn how to unlock your best self, through ancient wisdom and contemporary scientific breakthroughs. This content covers all the impactful things I’ve learned on my personal journey (including from traveling and other life experiences), which have enhanced my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Though we may have different life circumstances and perspectives, I am certain that something here will resonate with you. Afterall, we are all one; we all have the same needs, hopes, and dreams, even if our traits, customs, and traditions may look different.
Apply any of these new practices and perspectives into your own life, and you’ll be amazed by how your outer experience responds. The keys to the universe are within us, just waiting to be uncovered and explored. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about navigating the inner journey.
How the inner journey affects the outer world
The inner and outer journeys are intimately connected. They are also interdependent. The best way of conveying this relationship is as follows:
(1) The environment (outer experience) shapes our perspectives and attitudes on things.
(2) Our perspectives and attitudes (inner experience) influence how we interact with others and interpret the environment around us.
Depending on what our internal world looks like, we can either see the glass as half empty or half full. We can also choose to see the good or the bad in things. Humans have a unique ability to interpret thoughts, emotions, and experiences in ways that work for or against us. Seeking to understand these patterns and mechanisms – and subsequently taking steps towards our own fulfillment – is the essence of the inner journey.
At any given moment, we can choose where to focus our attention: whether it’s the smells, sounds, or sights of our surroundings, the memories stored in our brain, or any thoughts and visualizations about the future.
The inner path of empowerment towards a better life
The human mind is capable of extraordinary things. We are the only known species that can do all of the following on demand: recall past experiences, plan and anticipate future ones, and ground ourselves in the present moment. Using the prefrontal cortex area of the brain, we have the ability to use creativity and imagination to create our personal realities. However, in many instances, this “superpower” can actually work against us, as there is a negativity bias that we are all naturally drawn to. Instead of actively creating the life that we want, it’s easy to slip into the habit of drifting and become a victim of negative thoughts and experiences. This is particularly true for people who have endured traumas (most of us have, whether we remember it or not).
During the inner journey, each of us have a responsibility to take back control of our bodies and minds for the highest good. That’s what I have done in my own life, and I believe everyone reading this has an equal opportunity to create the life they want. The articles and resources linked below will empower you with life-changing information so you can take ownership of your story. You are the director, the producer, the scriptwriter, and the main actor of your life. Sure, you will want to leave many things up to God, source, or the Universe. However, at the end of the day you have to look out for yourself, too. This page features holistic health practices, mindset enhancing techniques, and other modalities to make your life better.
The art of change
In life, the only thing that is permanent is change. We grow, we evolve, and so does the world around us. Despite this truth, most people hate the thought of change – mainly due to fear of the unknown and a loss of control (or certainty). Each of us has a choice – we can either accept change and make efforts to create the life we want, or we can become a victim to change. Most people subconsciously choose the latter.
Beginning in adolescence, we are conditioned to believe that we need to work hard now in order to retire and chill later on. As if once we turn 65, we can throw in the towel and mindlessly hang out at the pool for the rest of our days. This model of reality is dangerous and untrue. By sedating ourselves and drifting through life without a clear purpose, it’s easy to fall into mental and physical disease. It’s easy to let life happen to you rather than for you.
The truth is, in order for us to live a fun and fulfilling life, we need to be growing every day (no matter how big or small). Instead of chasing ease and comfort, we ought to chase growth and opportunity. And no, it’s not all about money – growth and opportunity come in so many forms.
Distress is a part of life, and if we don’t actively make strides to face our fears head on, fear will come to you – whether it be ruminating negative thoughts or unfortunate events/circumstances. That’s the way life is. By undertaking the inner journey (or the hero’s journey), you will be on a fast track to changing all that.
Inner goals and habits yield powerful results
Instead of falling prey to procrastination, victimhood, and aimlessness, seek to be the pilot of your own life. Cultivate good habits and routines that will alter your mental and physical states in ways that bring you joy and meaning. Linked below, you will find many articles that give concrete examples on what you can start doing now to profoundly impact your life. Instead of trying to be positive all the time (impossible) or altering your mood (not likely), focus on creating good habits; as they tend to stick around much longer and affect everything else in your internal world and external reality.
Living up to your full potential
Looking for a breakthrough in your life (and inner journey)? Here’s a quick breakdown on how I go about changing my vibration to tap into my full potential. There are more articles and resources below that cover these methodologies in greater detail.
Step 1. Observe your current state
To truly transform your life, you first need to look inward. Notice how you feel, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Follow your thoughts without casting any judgment. Just be the observer. Later on, you can set intentions around what you wish to build upon and enhance in your life. But for now, just become aware of what shows up in your inner world. Awareness is the first step to transformation.
Step 2: Give gratitude
Next, take inventory of everything you’re grateful for. This may include the things in your life that are going well, the people and experiences that bring you joy, and anything else that adds meaning and value to your life. Journaling is a great way to do this, and so is prayer. Gratitude is the ultimate form of receiving, and it helps us access higher levels of energy and clarity.
Step 3: Activate your heart
From there, put your hand over your heart and breathe into this part of your body. With every inhale, feel the chest expand as energy fills up your lungs. And with every exhale, release any tension, relax, and allow love to flow into your heart. When your awareness inevitably goes elsewhere, bring your focus back to your breath and heart. The heart is a great guide; it’s your connection to everything. You can get anything you want in life by opening up your heart. I practice this daily, and highly recommend you do it, too.
Step 4: Set intentions and visualize your ideal future
At this point, it’s a good idea to set an intention about what you wish to get out of life. Who do you want to be? How do you want to serve yourself and others? What limiting beliefs, fears, or health issues do you wish to overcome? What exciting opportunities do you want to appear in your life? Be very clear in what you want, and attach an elevated emotion to who you want to become. Through visualization, imagine yourself being that person; imagine how good it would feel if you got (or became) what you wanted.
Step 5: Follow your intuition and implement what it tells you
By opening your heart and setting clear intentions, you can begin tapping into your intuition. Your intuition is the secret weapon that allows you to succeed in your inner journey. It also helps you overcome all the obstacles that stand in the way.
Another way to get into this state is through meditation, but the steps above are capable of activating this superpower just as well. With openness comes clarity (of mind and body). Follow what your heart and intuition want you to do. Don’t get hung up on all the details; small baby steps are fine. Ask yourself – what is the next indicated step you should take towards change in your life? Is it implementing a new habit, routine, or ritual? Is it getting out of your comfort zone by meeting new people or trying new things? With a beginner’s mind and an open heart, follow whatever it is that your intuition wants you to do. Even if you think it will lead to distress or failure, you won’t regret following that internal flame. It will get you to wherever you need to go.
