Personal growth is a path to alienation from the world.
When I was younger, I assumed that things such as spiritual growth and personal development would allow me to fit in with those around me better. I thought that as I learned to love others and learned to experience God more fully, it would be easier to live in human society.
I’ve realized lately that the truth is just the opposite. It’s easy to fit into the culture around us without emotional or spiritual growth. All it requires is molding ourselves into whatever those around us want.
But finding transcendental meaning and discovering your true self require you to give up what your culture and your friends and your family want you to be — because human culture is ultimately in conflict with what God created us to be.
I’ve realized lately that Jesus told us this 2,000 years ago, but we’ve simply missed the point. Finding the truth — and finding our true self — requires us to be something entirely different from what our culture demands.
The Alien Observer:
How do we know when to quit? Persistence may be futile choice
Authentic identity gets lost when everything becomes performance
As a child, I was a capable liar, because I mimicked a narcissist
A year later, late-night phone call and suicide threat still echo in me
Do you know your heart’s desire? Or are you just chasing a mirage?
Your healing can begin with Political Junkies Anonymous
Check out Aya Katz’s interview with me about art and culture
Briefly: Sufjan Stevens album always evokes old feelings about my mother