Discovering Ourselves

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Discovering Ourselves is Beautiful — Why Take an Inner Journey?

(Estimated reading time: 3 min, 59 sec)

Q: Is it better to ignore what is happening inside of us or to turn to others to discover it? Instead, why not try to understand it firsthand and take a beautiful inner journey? Wouldn’t it be better and more interesting to discover your inner world than to discover new things on the outside with occasional trips?

Ignoring problems doesn’t make them go away; in fact, it often makes them worse. Turning to others for insight can be helpful, but they can only grasp so much of what’s going on inside you. Imagine the adventure of exploring your inner landscape. You would uncover hidden facets of yourself and begin a journey of self-discovery. It’s a journey that is both very personal and very transformative. Wouldn’t that be a richer experience than seeking novelty in external distractions? Seize the opportunity to delve into your inner world and unlock the secrets within!

The Quest for Self-knowledge — Who Studies the Inside of Us?

Today, we have more freedom than ever before. We also have endless opportunities to expand human knowledge. But it’s strange how we still impose limits on ourselves. These are not the limits of old institutions or scarce resources. They are self-imposed. They limit our intellectual and emotional exploration.

When we look outward, we narrow our focus. We are convinced that the vast expanse of human knowledge is too vast to grasp in its entirety. We compartmentalize, believing that we can master only a tiny fragment of it.

In our quest for self-knowledge, we now turn to specialists. The exploration of our inner worlds was once the domain of philosophers. Now it is the domain of psychologists and psychiatrists. It has become a highly specialized field. This shift is indicative of a broader trend. We no longer look inward or outward with genuine curiosity. Instead, we rely on second-hand accounts. They come from books, newspapers, magazines, television shows, and videos. They tell us what is inside and outside of us.

This passive consumption of information replaces active self-exploration. We don’t follow our inner guide. We defer to experts instead of engaging in our own journey of self-discovery. But in doing so, we miss out on personal insight. We miss out on the thrill of adventure. Isn’t it time to explore our inner worlds? We could combine the wisdom of the past with the insights of the present to understand ourselves.

The Experience of Others

In today’s world, we seem to come into life not to forge our own experiences, but to absorb those of others. We take a tiny slice of knowledge and refine it to compete and fit into society’s expectations. Within this narrow focus, we retain some freedom to explore, but is it enough?

This specialized knowledge benefits society, but often leaves us feeling unfulfilled. So, where do we find the answer? Many turn to charismatic leaders. They join sects or movements that promise deep insights or the true meaning of life. These leaders, seen as the “experts,” offer ready-made answers for those seeking direction.

Others reject this path and struggle to create their own experiences. But they can fall into despair, substance abuse, or existential ennui. This raises a central dilemma. Is it better to conform to established doctrines, or to live in isolation from society?

But there’s a third way, a timeless solution. We must seek a balance. We must strike a balance between learning from others and cultivating our own unique journey. By embracing outside wisdom and personal exploration, we can enrich our lives. We can navigate the complexities of life with insight and individuality. This helps us gain depth and truth.

Discover Your Inner World — Introspective Tourism

Exploring Our Inner World — Introspective Tourism

Ancient philosophy and revered religions echo a common call: “Know yourself.” It’s not just a suggestion. It’s a fundamental right, a key to unlocking the mysteries within us.

Consider the boundless curiosity of children. They eagerly venture into the unknown corners of their environment. Their love of discovery ignites a spark in us. It urges us to explore. Why not explore in our lives?

Think of it as an inner odyssey. It’s a thrilling quest to understand our own emotions and our own minds. It’s an inner path that beckons with the promise of self-discovery and profound understanding.

On vacation, we often seek adventure in faraway places. But have we ever paused to contemplate the undiscovered landscapes within ourselves? The inner realms of our being hold treasures as fascinating as any exotic locale. What if we didn’t jet off to faraway lands? What if we discovered ourselves in our own backyard?

Once upon a time, tourism was a distant dream. It was for intrepid explorers. They braved the unknown and returned with tales of wonder. Their accounts captured the imagination of generations, inspiring dreams of faraway lands. But in time, some of us have discovered that the best adventures are not far away. They lie in the depths of our own souls..

We can meet new people and immerse ourselves in new cultures. This can even happen at home. It can offer a richness of experience. So why not swap the old stories of past explorers for the thrill of making our own way? We will chart a course through the unexplored territories of our inner selves. Our quest for self-knowledge becomes a journey that promises fulfillment beyond measure. It’s a journey of introspective tourism that leads to the discovery of our truest selves.

Self-discovery is a Beautiful Journey

Similarly, in the future, exploring our inner world may be more fascinating to us than reading any psychoanalytic texts.

The Spanish poet Ramón Jiménez summed up this inclination to explore, both outside and inside ourselves.

Don’t let a day go by without capturing its mistery

great or small.

Let your waking life be a daily discovery. [1] [2] [3]

…

“No one will ever be able to smell the perfume of a rose for me. (Aurora Mazzoldi, 2019)”  

The Inner Guide and the Inner Path

If you want to explore a country without having enough experience, you can contact a travel agency or a guide. They should be able to help you find a route that best suits your wishes and abilities.

“An inner guide should be able to adapt the path and its difficulties to your ever-changing needs. This guide should find the most suitable path for you, advise and encourage you when there are obstacles to overcome, and clarify your doubts. Is there any question about his existence? Well, such a sage, such a master exists; he is close, he is present in each one of us: he is the higher Self, the spiritual Self. To reach him, a journey is necessary, but a journey into our inner worlds.” (Roberto Assagioli. Lo Sviluppo Transpersonale, pag. 69, Ed. Astrolabio Roma).

Surely, you’ve experienced moments of non-rational wisdom. These flashes of insight defy logic and yet lead us to the truth. Perhaps you’ve felt an inexplicable urge to make a decision, only to find that, against all odds, it was the right one. Or maybe you’ve felt an instinctive pull away from danger. It was an intuitive warning from deep within.

These whispers are intuitions. They are nudges by our inner guide. They are guiding stars in our vast inner universe. They remind us that within the labyrinth of our own mind lies a source of wisdom and guidance. It is waiting to be discovered and embraced. So let us heed the call of our inner expedition. Let us embark on a journey of self-discovery that will reveal the characters we play and bring us ever closer to the radiant core of our being.

Luis Pisoni

[1] “No dejes ir un día, — sin cojerle un secreto, grande o breve. — Sea tu vida alerta — descubrimiento cotidiano.” Juan Ramón Jiménez, Eternità, Pietra e Cielo, edited by Francesco Tentori Montalto, Edizioni Accademia, Milan 1974, 78–79.

[2] Luis Pisoni and Aurora Mazzoldi, The Power of Targeted Choices, Amazon, 2020, 76-79.

[3] Luis Pisoni, L’Esigenza di Sapere, Formazione e Ricerca, Project Learning, 1997, 20-22.