jr fox a spiritual journey

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Jr fox: a spiritual journey.

Directed by Falcon Gott

"Winter 2018. Arriving in the Spirit Lake Nation, filmmaker Falcon Gott is meeting with JR Fox, a medicine person, spiritual leader, and a member of the Spirit Lake Nation. From there, they will road trip westward. JR Fox has made many trips, traveling all over Turtle Island, helping people who need to rediscover and strengthen their spirit. JR Fox: A Spiritual Journey is about the realities of JR’s travels, who, and what he encounters during this 11-day round trip. Falcon will travel westward again in the summer of 2019 to meet up with JR Fox in Nez Perce to continue and conclude this part of his story. Even though the documentary ends, JR Fox continues to travel and help those in need." -From North Dakota Human Rights Film and Arts Festival website

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Falcon Gott

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90 mins   More at TMDb Report this page

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• Fox Symbolism & Spiritual Meaning: Understanding What Seeing a Fox Represents

Have you ever crossed paths with a fox and wondered what it might symbolize or represent? Fox symbolism is deeply rooted in various cultures and spiritual practices, often associated with cleverness, adaptability, and discernment. Seeing a fox can be a divine message, a sign on your spiritual journey, or even an omen. This article will delve into the spiritual significance of the fox, helping you understand what seeing this animal totem might mean for you.

Foxes, especially the red fox, are creatures of the night, known for their responsiveness and ability to camouflage. Their appearance in your life can be a call to tap into your intuition, to be more discerning, or to adapt to the circumstances around you. Some believe that seeing a fox is a sign of your twin flame – a mirror soul or an ultimate soulmate. It’s a symbol that love might be on the horizon or that an existing relationship is about to deepen.

Whether you’re seeking clarity on your spiritual journey, curious about animal totems, or simply fascinated by the mystical world of fox symbolism, this article will provide you with insightful interpretations. Let’s embark on this journey of understanding together, exploring the spiritual meaning behind the fox crossing your path.

• 1 What is the Meaning Behind Fox Symbolism?
• 2 What Does Seeing a Fox Symbolize?
• 3 How is Fox Symbolism Related to Twin Flame?
• 4 What is the Spiritual Significance of Fox Symbolism?
• 5 How is a Fox Considered an Animal Totem?
• 6 What Role Does Fox Symbolism Play in a Spiritual Journey?
• 7 What Divine Message is Conveyed Through Fox Symbolism?
• 8 How Does Fox Symbolism Relate to Intuition?
• 9 What Does the Fox Symbolize in Terms of Cleverness?
• 10 How Does Fox Symbolism Represent Adaptability?
• 11 What Does the Fox’s Camouflage Symbolize?
• 12 How Does Fox Symbolism Relate to Discernment?
• 13 What Does the Fox’s Responsiveness Symbolize?
• 14 How is the Fox Symbolic of the Night?
• 15 What Does a Fox Crossing Your Path Symbolize?
• 16 Is a Fox Considered an Omen and What Does it Symbolize?
• 17 What Does the Fox Symbolize in Terms of Love?
• 18 What is the Symbolism Behind the Red Fox?
• 19 How is Fox Symbolism Interpreted in Different Cultures?
• 20 What Does the Fox Symbolize in Dreams?
• 21 What is the Absence of Fox Symbolism?

What is the Meaning Behind Fox Symbolism?

The fox, in spiritual symbolism, represents cunning, strategy, quick-thinking, adaptability, and wisdom. Known for its resourcefulness, the fox encourages us to think outside of the box and use our intelligence in different, creative ways. It is a symbol of guidance, offering solutions to problems that may seem insurmountable. The fox is a reminder that we have all the tools we need to navigate life, we just need to tap into our wisdom and be adaptable.

What Does Seeing a Fox Symbolize?

Seeing a fox symbolizes a call to harness your inner wisdom and adaptability. Foxes are known for their cunning and resourcefulness, suggesting the need to approach life’s challenges with strategy and patience. They also represent the ability to blend into surroundings when necessary, indicating a time for discretion and discernment. Ultimately, a fox sighting encourages you to trust your instincts and intelligence in navigating your path.

How is Fox Symbolism Related to Twin Flame?

In spiritual symbolism, the fox is often associated with adaptability, cleverness, and wisdom. When related to the concept of the twin flame, the fox symbolizes the journey of growth and understanding that twin flames undergo. It signifies the need for adaptability in the face of challenges, the cleverness to understand the complex dynamics of the twin flame relationship, and the wisdom to learn from the experience. The fox, therefore, serves as a spiritual guide for twin flames, encouraging them to embrace their journey with courage and insight.

What is the Spiritual Significance of Fox Symbolism?

The spiritual significance of fox symbolism lies in its representation of wisdom, cunning, and adaptability. Foxes are often seen as guides in the spiritual world, helping individuals navigate complex situations with their keen intellect and intuition. They symbolize the ability to see through deception and discern the truth. In many cultures, the fox is also associated with transformation and adaptability, embodying the ability to adjust to new environments and circumstances with grace and resilience.

How is a Fox Considered an Animal Totem?

In spiritual symbolism, a fox is considered an animal totem due to its distinctive characteristics and behaviors. The fox totem represents cunning, strategy, quick-thinking, adaptability, and wisdom. Those who identify with the fox totem are believed to possess these traits, using their intellect and resourcefulness to navigate life’s challenges. The fox encourages us to think outside of the box and use our intelligence in different, creative ways.

What Role Does Fox Symbolism Play in a Spiritual Journey?

In a spiritual journey, fox symbolism plays a significant role as it represents wisdom, adaptability, and cunning. The fox, as a spirit animal, encourages us to think swiftly and use our intellect and wisdom to navigate life’s challenges. It also symbolizes the ability to blend into the environment and adapt to new situations, teaching us to be flexible and adaptable in our spiritual path.

Moreover, the fox’s cunning nature reminds us to use our intelligence and intuition to discern truth from illusion. Thus, the fox guides us to seek wisdom and adaptability in our spiritual journey.

What Divine Message is Conveyed Through Fox Symbolism?

The divine message conveyed through fox symbolism is one of adaptability, cunning, and wisdom . Foxes are known for their ability to navigate complex situations with intelligence and strategy. This symbolism encourages individuals to use their wit and wisdom to overcome challenges, adapt to new circumstances, and make smart decisions. It’s a reminder to trust your instincts and be resourceful in your journey.

How Does Fox Symbolism Relate to Intuition?

In spiritual symbolism, the fox is often associated with intuition due to its keen senses and adaptability. Foxes are known for their cunning and ability to navigate complex environments, which is seen as a manifestation of intuitive insight. This symbolism encourages individuals to trust their instincts and use their intuition to navigate life’s challenges. Seeing a fox can be a reminder to tap into your own intuitive abilities and trust your instincts.

What Does the Fox Symbolize in Terms of Cleverness?

In the realm of symbolism, the fox is often associated with cleverness due to its cunning and strategic nature. This creature is known for its ability to adapt to various environments and situations, demonstrating a high level of intelligence and resourcefulness. The fox’s cleverness symbolizes the power of strategic thinking and adaptability, encouraging us to think quickly and make smart decisions when faced with challenges.

How Does Fox Symbolism Represent Adaptability?

In the realm of spiritual symbolism, the fox is revered as a symbol of adaptability due to its survival skills and flexible nature. Foxes are known for their ability to thrive in diverse environments, from forests to urban areas. This adaptability is reflected in their symbolic representation, inspiring individuals to be versatile and resilient in the face of change. Thus, seeing a fox can be a reminder to adapt and thrive, regardless of the circumstances.

What Does the Fox’s Camouflage Symbolize?

The fox’s camouflage symbolizes its spiritual attributes of adaptability, cunning, and survival . It’s a reminder of the fox’s ability to blend into its surroundings, to navigate through life’s challenges with grace and stealth. This symbolism encourages us to adapt to our circumstances, use our intelligence, and survive against all odds.

How Does Fox Symbolism Relate to Discernment?

In spiritual symbolism, the fox is often associated with discernment due to its keen senses and cunning nature. Foxes are known for their ability to navigate complex environments with agility and intelligence, symbolizing the ability to discern truth from deception. This makes the fox a powerful symbol for those seeking clarity and understanding in their lives.

Just as a fox uses its sharp senses to navigate its surroundings, individuals can harness the symbolic power of the fox to enhance their own discernment. This can be particularly useful in situations that require careful consideration and wise decision-making.

So, when you see a fox, remember its symbolic connection to discernment. It may be a sign to trust your instincts, use your intelligence, and make wise choices.

What Does the Fox’s Responsiveness Symbolize?

In spiritual symbolism, the fox’s responsiveness represents adaptability and quick-thinking . Foxes are known for their ability to react swiftly to changes in their environment, symbolizing the need for us to be flexible and responsive in our own lives. This can inspire us to be more adaptable and to think on our feet when faced with unexpected challenges.

Just as a fox adjusts its strategies to successfully hunt or evade predators, we too can learn to adjust our strategies and responses to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

How is the Fox Symbolic of the Night?

The fox, a nocturnal creature, is often associated with the night due to its secretive and elusive nature. Its ability to navigate the darkness with agility and cunning symbolizes adaptability, intuition, and wisdom. The fox’s nocturnal habits also represent mystery, magic, and the unseen aspects of life.

Just as the night is a time of rest and rejuvenation, the fox’s symbolism also encompasses regeneration and the cycle of life. Its presence in our dreams or sightings at night can be a reminder to trust our instincts and embrace the unknown.

So, next time you encounter a fox under the moonlight, remember it’s not just an encounter with a beautiful creature, but a symbol of the mystical and magical aspects of life that often remain hidden in the darkness.

What Does a Fox Crossing Your Path Symbolize?

A fox crossing your path symbolizes the need for discernment and swift action. Foxes are known for their cunning and adaptability, suggesting that you may need to use your wit and intelligence to navigate a situation. It’s a call to be observant, agile, and to trust your instincts.

Seeing a fox can also symbolize a period of transformation and growth. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you need to outsmart challenges and adapt to changes to thrive. So, when a fox crosses your path, it’s an invitation to tap into your inner wisdom and resilience.

Is a Fox Considered an Omen and What Does it Symbolize?

In various cultures, a fox is indeed considered an omen, often symbolizing cunning, strategy, quick-thinking, and adaptability. Its appearance can serve as a reminder to use our intellect and wisdom to navigate life’s challenges. However, the specific symbolism can vary based on the context and individual interpretation.

For instance, in Native American tradition, a fox is seen as a teacher providing guidance on swiftly finding your way around obstacles. Conversely, in Japanese folklore, foxes are depicted as intelligent beings possessing mystical abilities.

Therefore, seeing a fox can be a sign to tap into your own cleverness and flexibility to overcome any hurdles in your path.

What Does the Fox Symbolize in Terms of Love?

In terms of love, the fox symbolizes playfulness, agility, and cleverness. It represents a love that is cunning and strategic, yet playful and light-hearted. The fox’s ability to adapt and navigate complex situations mirrors the dynamics of a relationship, suggesting that love, like a fox, requires adaptability and clever strategies. Therefore, seeing a fox might be a reminder to approach love with both intelligence and joy.

What is the Symbolism Behind the Red Fox?

The red fox symbolizes cleverness, adaptability, and survival in various cultures. Known for its cunning nature, the red fox is often associated with wisdom and intelligence. Its vibrant red color signifies passion and energy, while its nocturnal habits link it to the mysteries of the unknown.

Moreover, the red fox’s ability to adapt to different environments symbolizes flexibility and resourcefulness. Its solitary nature also represents independence and self-reliance. The red fox’s symbolism encourages us to think strategically, adapt to changes, and trust in our abilities.

How is Fox Symbolism Interpreted in Different Cultures?

In various cultures, fox symbolism carries diverse meanings. In Native American lore, the fox is seen as a wise and cunning figure, often associated with transformation. In Japanese folklore, foxes, or ‘kitsune’, are believed to possess intelligence and magical abilities. In Celtic mythology, the fox is a symbol of cunning, strategy, and adaptability. However, in Christian symbolism, the fox often represents craftiness and deceit.

What Does the Fox Symbolize in Dreams?

In dreams, a fox often symbolizes wisdom, cunning, and strategic thinking. It may suggest that you need to use your intellect and resourcefulness to navigate a situation in your waking life. Alternatively, a fox in a dream can represent trickery or deceit, indicating a need for vigilance.

What is the Absence of Fox Symbolism?

The absence of fox symbolism in one’s life can signify a lack of cunning, strategy, and quick-thinking. Foxes are often associated with these traits in various cultures and spiritual practices. Without this symbolism, one might be missing the guidance to navigate complex situations or the inspiration to adapt swiftly to changes.

It’s important to remember that symbolism can vary greatly among different cultures and personal beliefs. The absence of one symbol doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of the traits it represents. It could simply mean that other symbols or experiences are guiding you instead.

Updated on: 2024-05-02

Author: Krystal

Krystal, a metaphysician, explores the mystical through astrology, tarot, and crystal healing, offering insights and guidance for spiritual and personal development. As a metaphysician, Krystal focuses on psychic readings, astrology, and crystal therapy to help individuals connect with their inner spirituality and unlock potential.

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A Mindful Guide To Spirituality For Beginners + 15 Steps For Beginning A Spiritual Journey

Maybe you’re looking to understand your purpose in this life, or you’re experiencing an existential crisis . 

Or perhaps you’re starting to examine the belief system you grew up with. Whichever the case, you’re contemplating a spiritual journey .

But where and how should you start?

To help you figure it out, we’ve created this beginner’s guide to spirituality.  

Below, we’ll unpack definitions, look at different spirituality types , review the process, and briefly discuss the available practice paths.

What Is Spirituality?

What is a spiritual journey, mystical spirituality, authoritarian spirituality, intellectual spirituality, service spirituality, social spirituality, they lack patience, they engage in enlightenment arrogance, they search for external answers, they crave external validation, they confuse spirituality and material goal-setting, the benefits of learning how to be spiritual, 1. declutter your spaces, 2. take stock of your current belief system, 3. develop a self-care routine, 4. read up on the possibilities, 5. decide whether you will share your plans, 6. reconnect with nature, 7. learn to be kind to yourself, 8. choose the path you want to try, 9. keep an open mind, 10. give everything you try a chance, 11. be on the lookout for scammers, 12. keep a record of your progress, 13. try rituals, 14. allow yourself to believe, 15. read, learn and absorb, path of knowledge, path of devotion, path of meditation, path of service, path of energy.

What are the basics of spirituality ? In some ways, it’s an impossible question to answer because spirituality means different things to different people. 

For some, it’s a religious pursuit. For others, it’s an individual exploration of spirituality.

The director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, Christina Puchalski, MD, contends that “spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred.”

Generally speaking, most forms of spirituality:

• Invite practitioners to connect with a higher power or source
• Encourage a transcendental end-goal through belief or energetic experiences
• Involve the search for greater meaning or feeling
• Feature a relationship between the practitioner and a divine force

What Are The 3 Elements of Spirituality? 

Back in the day, the three pillars of spirituality were truth, goodness, and religiosity. People’s definitions, narratives, and rituals differed, but nearly everyone saw spirituality as a religious undertaking.

But things are different these days. Sociologically speaking, spirituality is no longer tethered to a theological framework. And while religion colors many people’s spiritual pursuits, growing numbers are severing that tie.

As contradictory as it may sound, it’s not uncommon to meet deeply spiritual atheists — which begs the question: What are the three new elements of spirituality in an increasingly secular world? We’d argue they’re connection, love, and faith.

Most people pursuing spiritual journeys want to feel deeper connections with themselves, others, and the Universe. For some, the bond is cosmic and otherworldly; for others, it’s about communing with nature, neighbors, and the galaxy’s physical realities.

It’s been said that love makes the world go round, and we’d agree. When people love instead of hate, offer grace instead of judgment, and collaborate instead of competing, everything — (and by extension everyone) — is better.  

Faith has myriad definitions and is expressed in disparate ways. For some, it’s a religious undertaking. For others, faith is linked to personal development and fostering humble confidence. 

Have you been wondering how to start a spiritual journey?

One of the most important things to understand is that going through one can take physical and emotional effort since most of us cruise through life on autopilot.

The energetic shift required to change spiritual gears can be more intense than people imagine.

But it’s well worth the endeavor. Navigating a spiritual journey can help us become comfortable with ourselves and live more meaningful, joyful, fulfilling lives.

With courage, forgiveness, and honesty, we can examine our true natures and develop greater capacities for love and compassion.

People who successfully go through a spiritual transformation tend to be more content, calmer, and self-confident.

What Are the Types of Spirituality?

There are several types of spirituality. Some folks pursue all of them; others pick one or two to master.

The choice is yours and may depend on a “soul contract” you signed before diving into this life.

Mystical spirituality focuses on cosmic and intuitive aspects of existence. People who subscribe to these types of esoteric belief systems have faith in a force more powerful than what we can see and touch.

They also believe in a universal unity that transcends the physical world.

Practitioners of mystical spirituality may say things like “everything happens for a reason” and “there’s a cosmic explanation behind everything.”

Authoritarian spirituality involves devotion to a hierarchical structure in the heavens and Earth. Fundamentalist commitment to a religion or belief system is the most common type of Authoritarian spirituality.

Sometimes, this type of journey can safely allow individuals to immerse themselves in their chosen faith, like monks living in ashrams and temples. Unfortunately, it can take a more violent, destructive turn, as is the case with some sects of fundamentalist cults and religious movements.

People who travel down the authoritarian spiritual path may believe that their belief system is the only right way.

Intellectual spirituality is rooted in the notion that knowledge is power.

People who choose this path enjoy reading about and discussing theories. They find their way to the unknown through learning.

All spiritual disciplines have an intellectual sect or path to enlightenment, and many people drawn to intellectual spirituality combine it with service, devotion, or mystical ritualism.

Service spirituality involves attending to others’ needs. Mastery of the craft comes when an individual genuinely helps others without expecting anything, not even a “thank you.”

It can be a tricky path because many folks don’t recognize that they serve performatively. They feast on the praise showered on them for being “good people.” However, healing through service can only happen in a pure state of generosity without a need or thought of recognition or reward.

Some people are introverted, and others are extroverted. Folks who fall under the former umbrella may appreciate individualized spiritual journeys, whereas those in the latter may seek out socially spiritual events — like group retreats.

If you pick this path, think long and hard about your relationship with dependency. Are you choosing to seek communal salvation because of fear or a genuine desire to live selflessly among others?

Common Mistakes on The Spiritual Journey for Beginners 

Ethereal journeys can be exciting and fulfilling — but nobody ever said they’re easy, especially in the beginning. Finding one’s spiritual sea legs can be a bumpy ride! 

With that in mind, let’s unpack a handful of mistakes many people make at the start of their spiritual awakening.

Have you ever tried spirituality for a week (or ten) and gave up when miracles didn’t immediately rain down in your lap? Please don’t feel bad; you’re not alone; it always happens. In fact, it’s more common than successfully establishing a mindfulness or spirituality routine.

Remember that devotional work — (both religious and secular) — isn’t a magic bolt that instantaneously ushers “the dream” into your conscious realm. Heck, monks practicing for decades have yet to experience bliss, much less enlightenment.

In other words, it takes time. Lots and lots…and lots of time. So cultivating patience early in your journey is wise.

The benefits of mindfulness (spirituality’s backbone) can sometimes lead to judgment. Bluntly stated, “baby spiritualists” can be “all ego and no insight.”

Many also approach the journey myopically and think: Well, if X worked for me, it can work for anyone. Then, when people fall short of expectations, newly minted “gurus” attribute their failure to some moral failing rooted in laziness and victimhood. 

But each life carves a distinctive path in the sands of time and space, and what’s good for the goose isn’t necessarily suitable or feasible for the gander.

It’s also a bad idea to cut people out of your life because they aren’t on the same exact track as you. Like stars, lives have singular trajectories — and judging another’s is rarely an excellent karmic idea. 

Bottom line: When it comes to spirituality, worry about yourself — and only yourself.

Spiritual newbies love to search for answers outside of themselves. Sure, the Universe throws people proverbial bones in the form of “signs” every so often, but the work of spirituality is internal. 

Forming a conscious bond with the world around you is about learning to recognize your divine spark.   

As discussed, novices frequently search for external answers. They also crave external validation, which defeats the purpose of a soulful journey. 

Ultimately, it’s best to avoid spiritual competition at all costs. Your quest for meaning, connection, and purpose should never be a status contest.

Another common mistake is conflating personal and professional goal-setting with spirituality. Goal-setting is about what you want your life to look like, materially and professionally. Spirituality is about how you want to feel, see, and experience the world. 

Please don’t read us wrong. Goal-setting and spirituality can work in tandem, but they’re different. The former requires external effort and feedback; the latter is an internal process.

Embarking on a spiritual journey for beginners can be disorienting at the start.

Think of it as if you’re a 16th-century explorer. When you leave port, you’re anxious, detached from what you know, nervous, and unsure of what awaits you. 

You’re out to sea for a long time. Then, one day, you discover a new land; you’re elated and rewarded handsomely. In most ways, a spiritual journey follows that same arc.

A spiritual journey has many potential benefits, including:

• Experiencing a cosmic-level of love and respect for all living people, animals, and plants, instead of only feeling connected with folks and things with which you’re most familiar and comfortable
• Moving through experiences with faith, optimism, and joy
• Being aware of life’s divine nature
• Getting to know and love yourself unconditionally, even when you mess up
• Being able to see magic in the ordinary
• Being aware of the divine grace that helps fuel your life
• Coping better with stress, anxiety, and depression
• Restoring a sense of hope and optimism about life

Spirituality for Beginners: 15 Steps for Starting Your Spiritual Journey

Some peoples’ spiritual paths are clear from an early age. The rest of us usually need to put in a little effort to find the road that most resonates with our eternal beings. In some ways, it’s a trial and error process.

However, there are things you can do to prepare and make the journey easier.

The Universe is, at its most basic level, a web of interconnected energy. Living and working in clean, uncluttered places attract healthy, positive vibes and wavelengths to your space and aura.

It’s beneficial to know where you’ve been to figure out where you’re going,

When embarking on a spiritual journey, take stock of the belief system you grew up with or currently subscribe to. Does it serve you? Is it comfortable? Do you practice it because that’s all you’ve ever known, or does it genuinely resonate with you?

A significant part of spiritual journeys is getting to know yourself. Getting it right takes self-compassion , honesty, and self-forgiveness — which isn’t always easy.

As such, you must care for yourself, and developing a self-care routine is wise during this period of your life. Moreover, we can control habits, which adds a bit of stress-lessening stability to a sometimes rocky time.

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Before you pick a path, read up on the possibilities. Think about your motivations and what you want to get out of the experience.

Don’t forget to consider the logistics of your life. Try not to pick something that doesn’t fit into your lifestyle. Sure, it’s fine to make some changes — like adding meditation and journaling.

But if you have a nine-to-five job, it’s not practical to pick a path that requires you to live in an ashram for 24 months straight.

You get to captain your spiritual journey and decide who gets to know. If it’s something you want to share with the world, post about it on social media. Start a blog about your journey.

And if you want it to be a personal experience between you and the higher forces, keep it 100% to yourself.

Nature plays a big role in spiritual journeys. After all, it’s the Earthly manifestation of otherworldly forces. Connecting with nature is akin to bonding with universal energy, and it helps during a spiritual transformation.

Spiritual journeys aren’t smooth sailing at all times. The waters can get rough, and you must learn to be kind to yourself to get through it.

Instead of listening to the negative voice in your head, give attention to the positive one. Learn to forgive yourself; understand that everyone messes up, including you — and that’s OK.

Once you’ve adjusted your mental facilities, done some research, and prepped your space for the journey, it’s time to pick a path you want to try.

Don’t worry about not picking right the first time. It happens to loads of people. Remember that this is a time of exploration and discovery, so feel free to try on different things till you find something that fits your soul.

Skepticism is bound to drop by for a visit during your spiritual journey. Do your best to keep an open mind. Some things you try may feel silly and improbable. But give it a shot anyway. Hey, you never know.

Giving everything a chance is another important aspect of a spiritual journey. You probably won’t get much out of the experience if you go through the motions half-heartedly.

So allow yourself to believe in magic and mysticism for a bit. Who knows, maybe there is a scientific explanation for why certain “spiritual” things work, and we just don’t understand it from a practical standpoint yet.

The spiritual market is filled with many aspiring cult leaders, grifters, and various types of scam artists. They prey on peoples’ vulnerabilities, and they’re usually skilled at leaching money from marks. So be careful about the orbits you inhabit.

Having a record of your journey is educational and fun. Think how satisfying it will be to go back a year or two from now and read how far you’ve come.

Rituals are a fun way to enhance the spiritual journey. Plus, they put you in the right frame. If you use candles, however, make sure to be safe.

One of the biggest hurdles some people face on their path to higher consciousness is that they refuse to believe.

But it’s a catch-22 because to perceive extra-sensory forces, you must believe in them. So try to put doubts aside and give yourself to the unknown for the time being.

Journeys can take decades. Heck, some people argue that one’s spiritual journey is never over as there’s always more to experience and learn.

Keeping up a reading and learning habit is the best way to keep your spiritual receptors tuned and receptive.

What Are The 5 Spiritual Paths?

Many paths can teach you how to learn about spirituality. Some people stick to one; others try on several.

The knowledge path is suited for people who gain depth and insight through wisdom and gathering knowledge.

Analytical meditation, contemplation, studying, and journaling are important tools for people on this path. They frequently delve into questions about self-knowledge and the greater good.

The path of devotion is all about surrendering to something greater than yourself. The ultimate goal is to liberate the soul from its ego. Praying, chanting, and using mantras are common.

Meditation is a spiritual path in and of itself. People who go this route usually are interested in connecting with a higher power. They also value stillness and calmness.

Active selflessness defines the path of service. But it can be a tricky road, as practitioners mustn’t focus on their efforts but instead on the needs of others. People who serve for the wrong reasons can find themselves in miserable places.

The energetic path is probably the least discussed and one of the most powerful. It combines several disciplines, including meditation and knowledge. People who go down the energy path typically use rituals.

We hope you found our guide to spirituality helpful. Whatever path you choose, and no matter how long it takes, your spiritual journey will help you have a deeper understanding of yourself and the meaning of your life. 

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• Spiritual Resources

How to Start Your Spiritual Journey (7 Illuminating Steps)

by Mateo · May 18, 2024 · 215 Comments

There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don’t you? – Rumi

Welcome, dear spiritual wanderer.

You’ve come to this page seeking guidance, and that’s what we intend to give you wholeheartedly.

Before you begin, we want to honor your self-sovereignty and inner instincts , so:

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Please remember to not accept anything as being “true” that I write or anything that anyone on the spiritual journey says/writes/teaches without first checking in with your own inner knowing.

No one is infallible, no matter what degree of awakening they have embodied, so I strongly encourage you to think for yourself, find out for yourself, and always, always trust your intuition. (This advice can save you a lot of pain on your journey!)

With that said:

If you’re short on time, scroll down to see the Table of Contents . Otherwise, I guarantee that this article is worth reading from start to finish (that’s why it’s the ‘Start Here’ page!).

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Want to go deeper and reflect, integrate, and gain a greater perspective of your journey of awakening?

Let’s begin with the uncomfortable truth:

Most of us in the modern world have resigned ourselves to a cliched existence, indulging in endless distractions.

We go through life with minimal or pseudo-faith and avoid comprehending the emptiness of our lives. We are endlessly haunted by the shallowness of our relationships, neurotic issues, and  inescapable loneliness.

And yet there’s so much more to us as a species than what we really know.

You and I carry the most mysterious and magnificent qualities within us imaginable. Yet, we unknowingly guard and protect the greatest gift that is our  Souls from the world.

It’s so easy for us to feel meaningless when we perceive ourselves as mere cogs in society’s machine.

The truth is that we are much more than slaves of 9 to 5 jobs. We are capable of creating deeply meaningful, mystical, and fulfilling lives. We are capable of finding our true calling and personal destiny.

For centuries, indigenous people throughout the world have known that to fully explore the depths of the Soul and reunite with Spirit, we must go on a spiritual journey into the unknown lands within ourselves.

Many ancient cultures had Elders and Shamans to encourage and oversee these journeys toward a deeper spiritual existence.

Sadly, these days in our own culture, we have lost such sacred rites and rituals. Instead, orthodox religion has replaced living  spirituality with a theoretical god , dismissing, and outlawing personal experimentation and union with the Divine.

On this page, my aim is to help you start navigating your spiritual journey, be a lone wolf, and listen to your soul’s calling to reunite with Spirit.

(If you need extra in-depth support after reading this article, I highly recommend checking out our All-in-One Bundle and Shadow & Light Membership – these offerings can offer tremendous illumination and empowerment on your journey.)

Table of contents

What is the spiritual journey, 12 signs you’re called to the spiritual journey (the ancient hero/ine’s path), the 3 worlds of the spiritual journey (which are you inhabiting), inner work vs. soul work, 5 phases of the spiritual wanderer’s journey, how to start your spiritual journey (7 steps).

The spiritual journey is a personal quest we undertake to reconnect with our Souls, release attachment to the ego, and rediscover our True Nature .

In a nutshell, the spiritual journey is about returning to the Centre of our being : it’s a path traditionally undertaken by saints, shamans, mystics , and sages.

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But in this day and age where times have changed, and we’re suffering from collective soul loss , the spiritual journey is open and accessible to all people (and no longer just ascetics, monks, and other holy people).

Indeed, listening to our Soul’s calling of reuniting with Spirit is our deepest longing and highest calling as a species.

People have felt a pull toward something greater than themselves since the beginning of time.

Ancient cultures had many stories that illustrated the journey to fulfilling one’s destiny and experiencing Wholeness or Enlightenment . These journeys are what mythologist Joseph Campbell described as the “ Calls to Adventure. “

A call to adventure is something we all experience at least once in life. When we embark on this adventure, we begin the process of gaining self-understanding, reclaiming our precious Soul gifts, and dissolving the blockages that obscure our Inner Light.

The archetype of the hero/heroine discovering their true spiritual nature goes back thousands of years.

The Greeks told the story of Orpheus , who descended into the underworld to rescue his bride, Eurydice, from Hades. The Nordic people had their hero-warrior Beowulf , and the Sumerians wrote of Inanna , who battled her sister in the dark world.

Throughout history, there have been so many stories of individuals who have struggled through hardship to find themselves. But of what importance are they to our path?

Essentially, these hero/ines symbolize our spiritual journeys , that is, leaving everything familiar behind, entering the unknown, encountering numerous unconscious monsters, and finally returning back home with a sense of renewed fulfillment and wisdom.

Here are 12 signs you’re being called to walk the spiritual journey of awakening:

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• You feel lost in life
• You long for a place that feels like your ‘true home’
• You keep wondering what your meaning or purpose is
• You feel like you have a big destiny to fulfill (which is yet to be revealed)
• You sense that there’s much more to life than meets the eye
• You’re experiencing strange synchronicities, signs, and omens
• You’re shedding your old self and you’re transforming, but you don’t know who you truly are yet
• There’s a sense of nostalgia and nagging longing for something you can’t pinpoint
• You experience bouts of melancholy, depression, and existential crisis
• You feel extra sensitive and fragile
• A lot of what you once valued seems meaningless and empty
• It feels like the rug has been pulled out from underneath you, and you’re falling into a void

Can you relate to any of the above signs? If you can, you’re most certainly being called to embark on the spiritual journey.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don’t go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch. The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep. – Rumi 

At some point in life, we all experience the “call to adventure.”

Often, our journeys start when we experience a sudden  spiritual awakening , kundalini awakening , or dark night of the soul . Often, without wanting to, we are cast onto the path of inner exploration.

Like you, I have wandered these paths and have, at times, wound up lost and confused. For this reason, I find it useful to map out the spiritual journey in a way that helps the human mind know where it is and where it will go next.

My Andean ancestry speaks of three worlds that we can experience in life: the Upper World (Hanaq Pacha), the Middle World (Kay Pacha), and the Lower World (Ukhu Pacha).

In many traditions and mythologies, these three worlds correspond to the different realms of Self.

The Upper World is the home of Spirit, the Underworld the home of Souls, and the Middle World is the home of the physical body and human ego .

Different practices and techniques are used in each of the three realms to help us spiritually mature and rediscover joy, peace, and nondual wholeness .

Below, I’ll explore each of these three realms with you:

Middle World

Purpose: Personality development

In our everyday lives, we function within the middle world. The middle world is responsible for our ego development, and yet many people on the spiritual path ignore this vital element of inner growth.

Without developing a healthy personality, our spiritual growth reaches a dead end because we are more prone to falling into many spiritual traps and pitfalls down the line (such as spiritual narcissism , spiritual materialism, and more).

In life, we all begin within the middle world or physical realm. As children and teenagers, we go through various years of personality change and growth.

Finally, as adults, we have all developed unique personalities. Yet many of us fail to continue our self-development, getting lost in corporate jobs and the pursuit of money, status, and fame.

The goal of the middle world path is to develop a healthy personality or ego. Tasks involved in this process include the exploration of core emotional wounds, self-love , and the cultivation of authenticity.

A healthy adult ego will be able to love freely, be vulnerable, express creativity, and display empathy towards others – which are vital in every area of life.

We cannot develop a healthy personality by using techniques from the Upper or Under World, such as meditation or shadow work.

Instead, we must use inner work techniques that pertain to ego development and healing, such as assertiveness training, non-violent communication techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, NLP, and other psychological avenues of self-development.

Under World

Purpose: Soul discovery

Our Soul is the vital, mysterious, and wild core of our individual selves. It is the unique essence within each of us that goes deeper than our personalities.

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Think of your Soul as a stream that is connected to the ocean of Spirit. Our Souls contain our destiny, purpose, gifts, and the ultimate significance of our individual lives. To access these deep layers and qualities, we must descend into the Under World of our unconscious minds.

Unfortunately, for thousands of years, our culture has “protected” us from the hardships and dangers of the descent into the Soul. This has been done through the establishment of comfortable, predictable, and clockwork lives that revolve around material pleasures and shallow values.

In fact, thanks to religious thought, the descent into our Under Worlds has been condemned as “evil” and wayward.  Only Shamanic cultures and a few Western mystical schools like Hermeticism and Alchemy have dedicated themselves to exploring the Under World.

The descent into the Under World has been so feared and avoided because it is a perilous journey. There is a reason why Christianity referred to this place as “hell.”

Within our Under Worlds lie our repressed thoughts, feelings, desires, traumas, and denied gifts. Often when we descend, or inscend, into ourselves, we come across many demons, ghastly creatures, and other parts of our Shadow Selves that we’ve been unconsciously hiding from.

Yet despite the fact that the Under World journey can be such a harrowing and haunting experience, it is ultimately a powerful odyssey. Only by descending into our personal Under Worlds can we truly embrace our true life calling, talents, gifts, and deepest values.

Under World, or deeper inner work techniques, include practices that allow us to access altered states of consciousness . These may include practices such as  lucid dreaming , drumming, shadow work , shamanic trances, breathwork , vision quests, etc.

Upper World

Purpose: Uniting with Spirit

The Upper World journey, or that of the ascent, is what we often refer to as Self-Realization .

There comes a moment in our journey between the middle world and the underworld in which an equilibrium or inner spaciousness forms , allowing us to move up into the Upper World.

For example, it’s much harder to spiritually awaken to the Upper World when our unconscious minds are plagued with deep childhood traumas (that stem from the underworld), trust issues (under world problem), and poor self-esteem (middle world problem).

The practice of inner work is what allows this inner space to emerge because it dissolves the contractions of the ego that hide our True Nature as Divine Consciousness.

We enter the path of ascent up into the Upper World when we learn to surrender our ego identification (known as ego death ) and Soul identification.

It’s at this point of the path that soul work is needed – soul work, in this case, refers to doing the soul’s work of letting go, opening, and merging back into its original home of Spirit.

The experience and realization that the personal identity (or ego) is an illusory thought construct, and who we truly are is Infinite Consciousness, is what has been referred to as Self-Realization , Christ Consciousness , Buddha Nature, Nirvana, or Enlightenment.

This shift of consciousness involves our Infinite, Divine, Eternal, and Absolute Nature awakening from the dream of the separate egoic self.

Techniques used to induce this inner shift of being are often found in the mystical schools of Zen, Kundalini, Taoism , Sufism, and disciplines such as meditation, self-inquiry , and yoga.

Note:  Unfortunately, many people in the spiritual community believe that spiritual ascension is all that is needed to experience peace and wholeness. As a result, the middle world and under world paths have been cast aside as if they don’t matter.

However, only focusing on your “higher chakras,” cultivating positivity and Oneness with Spirit , creates lopsided individuals. When the darker and more down-to-earth elements of self-growth are ignored, the result is imbalanced and unhealthy individuals .

As such, here on lonerwolf, we try to focus on exploring all three realms (the middle, under, and upper world) to create balance.

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In the previous section, I mentioned inner work and soul work a few times. But what’s the difference? And how do both relate to the spiritual journey?

Within this website and the work of Aletheia and I, inner work refers to the active exploration, illumination, and dissolution of blockages within the psyche.

Inner work is a psychological process that helps us to heal and find inner harmony and wholeness on a human level.

Examples of inner work practices include the practice of self-love, inner child work, shadow work, body work, and anything that involves actively finding and releasing the contractions within the mind.

On the other hand, soul work is the more passive and receptive process of opening, surrendering, and resting within our True Nature (also known as Consciousness, Presence, Nondual Awareness, and Spirit).

Soul work is, quite literally, doing the soul’s work of remembering and returning back to Source as our Ultimate Home and True Nature.

Examples of soul work practices include self-inquiry, prayer, contemplation, meditation, mirror work, and anything that involves cultivating a sense of being .

Both inner work and soul work are needed on our spiritual journeys to help us both wake up on a spiritual level and grow up on a human level.

To avoid lopsided development and getting possessed by unresolved inner shadows (which can and do arise no matter what level of realization we’ve had), we need to explore both our human psychology and relax into our birthless, deathless True Nature.

Inner work makes the inner space for soul work to take place. Soul work helps to illuminate and sharpen our inner work.

Both go hand-in-hand and are vital allies on our spiritual awakening journeys. As you get familiar with this website and our work, you’ll hear about both inner work and soul work.

Roughly speaking, there are about five phases of the spiritual journey (although, of course, there could be many more – but I’m just sharing the phases I’m presently aware of).

I refer to these as ‘ phases ‘ and not stages because the spiritual wanderer’s journey is not a linear process that has a start and end; it is cyclical. It’s like the moon. It’s a spiraling dance of energy that is ever-deepening and changing – there is no “end,” even after you’ve had an enlightened shift in awareness.

Here’s a visual diagram of the Wanderer’s Journey , which is the spiritual wheel of transformation that we base our work around on this website:

Below, you’ll find the five phases ruled by the Seeker, Apprentice, Warrior, Mystic, and Sage archetypes.

I’ve also linked each phase to the ten different parts of the journey that Aletheia and I have discovered, crystallized, and defined after many years on the path:

1. Soul-searching

(Ruled by the Seeker archetype.)

This phase is divided into the following two parts (also linked to on the Wanderer’s Journey page). Feel free to click on any for further guidance:

• The Spiritual Calling
• Resisting the Path

Summary: Phase one of the spiritual journey begins with a deep craving and longing for something more than mundane daily life.

There may be a sense that life has become a dry, desolate, meaningless, and barren wasteland without some kind of spiritual dimension.

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This type of existential crisis can arise spontaneously due to a traumatic situation, mental or physical health issues, or simply due to one’s sensitive temperament.

The result is a search for meaning, purpose, and greater spiritual connection – or what is commonly known as soul searching .

2. Awakening & learning

(Ruled by the Apprentice archetype.)

• Finding Guidance
• Starting the Journey

Summary: Awakening and learning is the next phase of the spiritual journey. Once one has listened to the ‘call to adventure’ and has begun searching for answers, the sense of inner deadness and stagnation lifts. The veil is pulled from our eyes. We awaken to fresh possibilities, new horizons, and deep insights.

There is renewed hope, ecstatic zest for life, joyful anticipation, and a passion for learning, exploring, and growing. It’s as if the sun has finally emerged from its slumber, and we’re bathed in the dawning light of spiritual awakening .

3. Death & demons

(Ruled by the Warrior archetype.)

• Turning Inwards
• Facing the Darkness

Summary: As our spiritual journey matures, we eventually face a crossroads. To continue growing, we must enter through the gates of our personal Underworld and face our demons. We learn that the spiritual journey is beautiful, yes. But it’s also demanding.

If we’re sincere about authentic spiritual growth, we need to illuminate our inner darkness, explore our shadow selves, and heal our buried traumas. This death of the spiritual ‘high’ of the previous phase can lead to much fear and confusion.

The result is often an experience of the Dark Night of the Soul , a glimpse of ego death , or even a spiritual emergency where we step out of the ‘sunshine and rainbows’ world into the moonlit world of ghosts and ghouls.

4. Rebirth & reward

(Ruled by the Mystic archetype.)

• Illumination
• Traps & Pitfalls

Summary: Eventually, we emerge from the other side of the Dark Night of the Soul, existential crisis, or ego death glimpse. We have been to hell and back and we’ve had our hearts ripped open and our minds excavated. But we arise victorious with heart and Soul blazing bright with clarity.

This rebirth and reward phase often results in mystical experiences , moments of Satori (Enlightened awareness), and blissful heart openings.

We may go through a new level of awakening, this time at an energetic level, via an experience known as the Kundalini awakening .

However, this experience is not all love and light. There are many lurking shadows and spiritual traps to be wary of .

5. Illumination & sharing

(Ruled by the Sage archetype.)

• Integration

Summary: After the body, heart, and mind undergo this cleansing and purging journey, a deeper level of Illumination may begin to arise within us. We’ll begin to integrate all the lessons we’ve learned, bringing them into our daily lives.

This is the moment where we truly start walking the talk, integrating both the human and Divine aspects of our lived experience. As such, there is a strong desire within us to share what we’ve realized through the grace of Divinity (our True Nature) with those who need support.

We may adopt the role of teacher, guide, creator, or mentor – or otherwise, embrace new ways of helping others through the power of creativity.

Perhaps the key defining quality of this phase is a strong connection to one’s True Nature and sometimes a non-dual shift in awareness. There’s an intimate, inner-lived experience of the Divine as one’s true face, authentic essence , and ultimate home.

Again, the above five phases are by no means linear or static – they are cyclical and ever-deepening. Gradually, we discover that we are Life itself and that what we have longed and searched for has always been right here, right now !

Everyone’s spiritual journey is unique, ever-changing, and ongoing.

There is no single point at which we stop this inner transformation. In fact, the whole mistaken idea of reaching a state of “perfection” really only equals death and stagnation.

And what happens when things stop growing and flowing? They become lethargic, break down, rot, and disintegrate.

While the demands for constant growth and evolution may be difficult to handle at times, they are necessary grit for the inner pearl to develop.

If you wish to find truth, peace, profound love, deep freedom, and your ultimate home, beginning your spiritual journey is not only important but crucial.

Understandably, you might feel a bit intimidated and lost, not knowing where to start. As someone who has been on the spiritual journey for a long time and who has devoted their entire life’s work to the inner call, here are my tips:

1. Be gentle and go at your own pace

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and a little inundated by the influx of information when first beginning your spiritual journey. My advice is to go slowly, be gentle, and go at your own pace. You don’t need to know every tiny detail of every field of wisdom ever created. (I know it’s tempting!)

Besides, everything that you’re learning about is already within you. Yes, you have all the answers you need at a Soul level because you are an expression of the Divine at your core. Everyone else is just a mirror of that.

So cut yourself some slack. The key is to go gently but deeply – that is how you will learn and grow the most.

2. Tune into the deepest yearning of your heart – your holy longing

What is it that you truly, deeply yearn for, above all else? What is the most ancient longing of your heart and Soul?

There are a myriad of reasons why people enter the spiritual journey, many of them stories created by the mind to build a better-looking ego.

But beneath the desires of the mind, what does your heart want? Your heart is the doorway to your Soul, and your Soul is a unique expression of Spirit. So listen to your heart’s yearnings.

How do you listen to your heart? One of the best ways is to place a soft hand over your heart, let all thoughts go, and drop into a sense of stillness. Then ask yourself, “What is it that I truly, deeply yearn for, above all else?”

Do you long for peace, truth, freedom, love, happiness, healing, or something else? There are no right or wrong answers. The heart wants what it wants.

But be aware that the mind may jump in and try to concoct a bunch of ideas, artificial longings, and idealistic stories. What you need to do is listen for the still, small, quiet voice within that responds with gentle clarity (not the loud, anxious, and abrasive voice of the mind).

Finding your holy longing will provide you with the fuel and compass to direct your spiritual search.

Instead of being outwardly led by the egoic self, you’ll be inwardly led by the heart and Soul. You may even find that as you progress through your spiritual journey, your holy longing will evolve and mature. Let it!

3. Pay attention to philosophies, tools, or practices that intrigue you

Once you’ve figured out your holy longing, simply pay attention. Notice what spiritual fields, ideas, philosophies, and practices call to you that relate to your deepest calling.

The spiritual journey doesn’t have to be something dry, monotone, and repetitive (unless you want it to be). This is a quest that can be playful, joyful, and passionate.

In fact, you’ll likely get the most out of your spiritual path if you approach it from this heart-centered place.

Neuroscience has proven that we learn the most when we’re having fun – so find your bliss. Walk a path with heart. This is the path you’re meant to be on.

4. Go deep-diving

One of the main issues that often arises on the spiritual path is a certain kind of spiritual materialism or spiritual window-shopping .

Jumping from practice to practice can be useful at the beginning (to become familiar with the territory).

But if we get into the addictive habit of finding the “next and best” spiritual practice , tool, workshop, etc., we are doing ourselves a great disservice.

We are not only approaching spirituality with a materialistic mindset, but we’re also avoiding the fundamental purpose of the spiritual path: to discover our True Nature.

Once you’ve done some dabbling here and there (this might involve watching YouTube videos, reading books, attending workshops, etc.), it’s time to slow down and commit to something.

Don’t worry if you discover later down the road that the path you’re on is not for you – remember that you can always change routes.

What’s important is that you slow down and commit to something to begin with – this is the only way to extract the nutrients, deep essential truths, and embodied wisdom that contribute to your awakening.

So go deep-diving and commit to something all the way through to the end. What paths, practices, and teachings speak to you on a profound level? What has benefited you the most?

Begin to circle around that topic, practice, or path and dedicate your full attention to it. (And if there are a handful of paths, that’s okay too; stick with them, although it’s generally best to keep your focus simple.)

5. Be aware of sharks

You’ll meet many people on your spiritual path (whether online or in the flesh), and while some of these people will genuinely have your best interests in mind, others won’t.

Yes, there are many ‘spiritual sharks’ out there, aka., there are sleazy, snake-oil salesmen and women who are incentivized to use you for personal gain.

There are also some people – typically leaders of spiritual communities or certain gurus – who are totally unaware of their unconscious shadow motivations (but are equally as dangerous). So be discerning.

Learn to trust your intuition and gut instincts . Tap into your inner lone wolf : that primal wisdom you carry inside that drove you to begin this quest to begin with.

Even if you do fall into the jaws of a shark, know that you can get out. Not only that, but you can actually use the experience as a lesson and fuel to grow even stronger.

No one can take away your power from you unless you willingly give it to them. And even if you do, you can get it back.

6. Record what you’ve learned and experienced

We hear a lot of pretty-sounding words and mystical ideas on the spiritual path. But all of them mean little if we don’t actively find ways of absorbing them into our being.

One of the simplest ways of recording what you’ve learned and experienced is simply through the act of journaling .

Have a special journal or diary that you dedicate to writing down your thoughts, experiences, ideas, and discoveries. You don’t need to be a good writer (or even good at spelling/grammar) to do this – forget about that!

What matters is that you have a solid record that you can refer back to throughout your journey. (Learn more about how to journal .)

There are also other ways of recording what you’ve learned and experienced, such as creating pieces of art or composing music.

Find whatever creative outlet suits you the most – that might even include creating a vlog where you go into your daily experience (and you can keep this private or share it with others).

Here are a variety of inner work Journals that we’ve created that might help you get started. »

7. Integrate and embody your spirituality

It’s easy to go spiritual window shopping and jump onto whatever new and exciting bandwagon emerges. But it takes much more strength of character, sincerity, and courage to integrate and embody what you’ve learned actively.

To integrate means to absorb something into your being and to make it a living and breathing part of you.

To embody means to be an expression of what you have learned: to be the change you’re looking for, to infuse your life with the essence of what you’ve discovered.

There are numerous ways to integrate and embody your spirituality, but remember that this is an organic process that takes time. You cannot rush or force spiritual integration or embodiment – it is the natural product of spiritual ripening and maturation.

There are, however, numerous ways to begin the integration and embodiment part of your journey. Some of these inner work and soul work practices include:

• Mindfulness
• Contemplation
• Shadow Work
• Inner child work
• Self-Inquiry

Anything that helps you to slow down, be introspective, and go inwards while encouraging present-moment awareness will help you to integrate and embody what you experience.

Instead of being a magical-sounding idea, you will actively live and express qualities such as lovingkindness, presence, and wisdom. But first, you need to be sincere and dedicated to this path.

In my honest opinion, no spiritual journey is balanced (or healthy) without some level of psychological healing.

We need to focus not just on ascending to the Upper World but also on working with the Middle and Under World . See the following articles for more guidance:

• What is Inner Work? (& Why Most People Are Terrified By it)
• Spiritual Psychology: Why Meditation Isn’t Enough

The Spiritual Journey is a Valley, Not a Mountain

Wisdom tells me I am nothing, love tells me I am everything. Between the two, my life flows. ― Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Contrary to popular depiction, the spiritual journey isn’t like climbing a mountain.

We rarely start at the bottom and climb to the top. Instead, for most of us, the spiritual journey is like hiking through a series of beautiful but perilous range of valleys.

Our spiritual journeys alternate between periods of descending and ascending.

In one period of our lives, we may cultivate our connection with Spirit, while in other parts, we may descend to the Soul to heal core wounds or the middle world to develop self-care .

Finally, it is very possible and also quite common to get hung up in these valleys. Many of us become lost, distracted, and even forget why we were trying to get to the top of the mountain in the first place. (See our article on traps of spiritual growth for more guidance.)

However, with the appropriate guidance, sincerity, and persistence, we can make our way through.

In the end, you’ll find that the spiritual journey is like a mystical marriage between the ego, the Soul, and the Spirit. One cannot exist without the other. The whole experience is a nondual expression of Life living itself.

I truly hope this guide has given you a place to start. This whole website is based on giving free guidance for the spiritual awakening journey, so please feel welcome to poke around and learn some more.

It’s our calling in life to help you with this. And it’s an honor for the two of us to be your supporters on this journey.

To stay connected and get free weekly Soul-centered guidance, you’re welcome to subscribe to our LonerWolf Howl newsletter .

I also recommend checking out our collection of premium resources that can help you tremendously on your spiritual journey. You’ll find everything from books, journals, meditations, and more!

It’s a joy to continue this journey with you as guides and companions!

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About Mateo

Mateo is a spiritual educator, guide, entrepreneur, and co-founder of one of the most influential and widely read spiritual websites on the internet. Born into a family with a history of drug addiction and mental illness, he was taught about the plight of the human condition from a young age. His mission is to help others experience freedom, wholeness, and peace in all stages of life. [Read More]

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what has happened to me is amazing……i have started this jurney back in 1999 new years eve in a phyicword…then spiritualey slept until 2019…after that i woke i am now aware of masculine and feminine devine energy within myself…then this year i grounded myself to the earth…better…and i realised that the background noise in the back of my mind was accually all the thoughts and feelings of everyone living on planet earth…..i am comforteble with this now….

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Life as a Spiritual Journey: Weekly Summary

Sunday The hero’s journey is not to just keep going to new places, making the trip a vacation or travelogue. We have to return to where we started and know it in a new way and do life in a new way. —Richard Rohr

Monday By denying their pain and avoiding the necessary falling, many have kept themselves from their own spiritual journeys and depths—and therefore have been kept from their own spiritual heights. —Richard Rohr

Tuesday The sacred task at hand is to let yourself be reclaimed by something deeper than the immediacy of struggle and pain. This something need not be identified or fixated upon, but surrendered to. —Pixie Lighthorse

Wednesday The journey is absolutely sacred because we are not just flesh and blood. We are also spirit beings. And what other kind of journey could a spirit being take except for a spiritual journey? —Barbara A. Holmes

Thursday Jesus wanted his followers to know that the journey they would make involved knowing and enlivening the teachings he advocated. In other words, Jesus was cautioning them, “If you decide to give yourselves to what truly counts in this life, it will cost you.” —Joyce Rupp

Friday “The hero “falls through” what is merely their life situation to discover their Real Life , which is always a much deeper river, hidden beneath the appearances. This deeper discovery is largely what religious people mean by “finding their soul.” —Richard Rohr

Week Eight Practice

For Living without Control

Public theologian Kate Bowler shares a prayer for times when we aren’t sure of our next move. She writes:

I had a very tender podcast conversation with theologian and ethicist Stanley Hauerwas. We have worked together for almost two decades now, and I rely on him to be incredibly certain about what makes a life good and virtuous…. After describing how many twists and turns that life had taken, he had come to a conclusion: “The ability to live well is the ability to live without so many certainties.”

We will have to develop a high tolerance for having so little control and so few bedrock assumptions. So let’s ask our God to “unplan” our days a little and help us live that way.

God, I come to you as I am.

It is all I have, really.

And the next one I’m conscious of

will be the same.

I can feel the way I move,

moment to moment,

without the comfort of “solutions.”

It seems wild to me now how I imagined

any once-and-for-all cure for this,

or a master plan to ensure things

will work out.

But, truth be told, that’s always been

my secret hope.

So, Lord, let’s try again.

I’m begging for a new plan.

I want a plan that is an “unplan.”

I must keep moving and planning,

trying and changing,

knitting my days together even as

they unravel.

So can we do this together?

Remind me to pray: come Lord

and quiet the worry.

I step, and you steady me.

I give, and you keep my hands open.

I act, and you fortify me with courage

to try and try and try again.

This life is uncertain, Lord,

but your love is not.

You tell the story of my life

regardless of how little I know

about how it ends, except to say,

you were there since the beginning

and you appear on every page.

Reflection Prompt

Now that we know that we don’t know, let’s enjoy that thought for a moment. Isn’t it delicious that the God who flung stars into space also knows every beginning and end? So let’s settle in for a moment and let ourselves not know in the presence of the God who already knows.

Kate Bowler, Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens (New York: Convergent, 2024), 90–91. Used with permission.

Image credit: Jeremy Bishop, Untitled (detail), Australia, 2016, photograph, public domain . Click here to enlarge image .

The desert and the new sprout of spring green are part of the journey.

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Radical Resilience

We live in a world on fire. This year the Daily Meditations will explore contemplation as a way to build Radical Resilience so we can stand in solidarity with the world without burning up or burning out. The path ahead may be challenging, but we can walk it together.

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The Begining Of Odds Against All Odds

• Spirituality

In the inaugural episode of " With God Against All Odds," titled "Against All Odds," we embark on a deeply personal journey through the life of your host, Dexter Bibbs Jr, as we explore the profound intersections of faith, resilience, and the human experience. The spiritual battles that have shaped Dexter's life are at the heart of this episode. Through candid reflections and raw honesty, Dexrer shares the struggles and triumphs of navigating a world filled with unseen forces, where the battle between light and darkness rages on. It's a testament to the power of faith to overcome even the most formidable adversaries and emerge victorious against all odds. Central to Dexter's story is the unwavering presence of God, a guiding force that has provided strength and solace amid life's most significant challenges. From the depths of addiction to the heights of business success, Dexter Bibbs Jr. credits their faith as the anchor that has kept them grounded through life's tumultuous seas. The episode also delves into the theme of addiction, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of overcoming destructive habits and finding redemption in the arms of a loving God. It's a story of resilience, picking oneself up after each fall, and finding the courage to journey toward healing and wholeness. But perhaps most compelling of all are the reflections on soul ties - the deep, spiritual connections that bind us to others in profound and inexplicable ways. Through Dexter's experiences, we understand the power of these ties to shape our lives and relationships and the importance of seeking God's guidance in navigating the complexities of human connection. In "Against All Odds," Dexter invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Faith, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit converge in a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's love. It's a story of hope in the face of despair, redemption amid brokenness, and triumph against all odds.

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Art and Culture in Atlanta: A Neighborhood Exploration Itinerary

Atlanta’s art and culture scene takes you beyond a painting or a one-day festival. Every day the city’s rich and diverse community shines through numerous experiences and neighborhoods waiting to be explored. Whether you are an avid museum gazer or lover of the performing arts, a walk through this itinerary will prove that Atlanta’s art and culture scene is worth exploring with hidden gems and popular treasures around every corner.

Municipal Market

Start your journey Downtown in the Sweet Auburn Historic District. The Municipal Market is a perfect first stop to enjoy breakfast or an early lunch from one of the many food stalls.  At the opening of its doors in 1924, the Municipal Market became the largest single market for farm products in the state and continues to be one of the few remaining city markets in the country. Throughout the Jim Crow era, Blacks were able to shop inside the market, but were permitted to do business only on the curb until desegregation in the 1960s, which is how this market became known as “The Sweet Auburn Curb Market.”  This rich history lives on in the market today through a diverse selection of cuisine and art that tells the story of its past.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

This walkable Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is a wonderful place to take in history and art. Not only can you view art at the MLK exhibit in the visitors center, you also can walk in Dr. King’s footsteps. Stop by the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. Even though tours are suspended until November 2025, you can view the exterior of the two-story Queen Anne style home at 501 Auburn Ave. The historic Ebenezer Baptist Church is another site worth visiting having been a spiritual home to notable figures including its first pastor, the Rev. A.A Williams, and assistant pastor, the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. In 1960, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined his father as co-pastor. Visitors can enjoy services today in the newly constructed sanctuary directly across the street under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, who also is a U.S. senator.

High Museum of Art

Begin your journey through Midtown with a visit to the High Museum of Art. With more than 19,000 works of art, the High assures that no two visits will be the same. Take your time browsing through the galleries for inspiration, and make new friends during one of the many events. Show off your dance moves while taking in the artwork during High Frequency Fridays. This popular event takes place every first Friday and almost always sells out so plan ahead and purchase tickets on the museum’s website. Take it easy and jam out to the smooth sounds of live jazz every third Friday. These events are the perfect place for visitors to intertwine with locals and immerse themselves in all the High has to offer.

Museum of Design Atlanta

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) sits in the heart of the Midtown Arts District directly across Peachtree Street from the High Museum of Art. MODA is home to exhibits highlighting architecture, graphic design and even pasta. Through Sept. 1 see the exhibit, “Al Dente: The Design of Pasta.”

Catch A Show

Whether you want to enjoy classical masterpieces from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, watch a Broadway show at the Fox Theatre or see a play at Alliance Theatre, Atlanta offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy some of the best talent in the performing arts. Icons including Elvis Presley and Bob Marley have graced the Fox Theatre stage along with Broadway shows including “Hamilton,” “Chicago” and “MJ.” The Alliance Theatre presents shows including musicals and world premieres.

Cabbagetown

Eastside Atlanta is all about street art and murals. Start your journey in the Cabbagetown neighborhood, walking along Wylie Street and viewing the Forward, Warrior!! Mural Project. Take in works by some of Atlanta’s most talented artists, Joe King, Lonnie Garner and Lisette Correa.

Lotta Fruit

Prepare to explore art along the Atlanta BeltLine by refueling with fruit, smoothies and savory sandwiches at LottaFrutta. This Pan Latin-inspired restaurant is a neighborhood favorite as its colorful exterior is hard to miss. Indulge in Mexican-style fruit cups, South American-style smoothies, Cuban-inspired grilled sandwiches and Ecuadorian ice cream. Get a grab-and-go snack to munch as you walk along the BeltLine or sit and enjoy a sunny day at one of the outdoor tables.

Little Five Points

Take a tour of Atlanta’s funkiest neighborhood, Little 5 Points. Known as the A’s Hippie Hood, this is the perfect stop for those looking to go home with something unique or vintage. Whether you’re costume shopping at Psycho Sisters or looking for designer items for less at Rag-O-Rama, you are sure to find an eclectic range of options to add to your wardrobe. Feel all the nostalgic vibes while sorting through the vinyl selection at one of the records shops including Wax ‘N’ Facts, Moods Music and Criminal Records.

Westside BeltLine Trail

Atlanta’s Westside is another haven for arts and culture. Connecting the historic Westside neighborhoods, the Westside Trail is home to murals and a food and beverage district serving as the perfect pit stop for a bite to eat before your next stop. Options are endless with a range of cuisines. Enjoy tacos from Cielito Lindo Taqueria or a pasta dish from Pastaholics. Wash your food down with a cold beer from one of the breweries including Monday Night Garage and Wild Heaven Brewery or enjoy a glass of whiskey from ASW Whiskey Exchange.

Westside Art Galleries and Venues

Keep an eye out for exhibits and events at The Westside Cultural Arts Center. The calendar includes popular exhibitions like the Black Boy Art Show and a 404 Day exhibit. The Atlanta Contemporary is another gallery aiming to make art more accessible by offering free admission daily. Guests can enjoy new works from up-and-coming artists skilled in various forms of art. Previous exhibitions have included the exploration of 3D printing utilizing live heartbeat data and interactive video highlighting the optimism of big agriculture.

Atlanta History Center

End your journey in Buckhead where Atlanta History Center provides an ample amount of art and culture. Stop by the historic Swan house where you might recognize scenes from films such as “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and Disney Channel’s “Descendents.” Journey up the green lawn and past the fountain stairs to get a feel for what it was like for Atlantans Edward and Emily Inman to return home in the late 1920s. You can learn more about the Inmans and their historic home on a guided tour.

Looking to discover more ways to see the city? Check out the Ultimate Guide to the Atlanta BeltLine Trails to keep the outdoor exploration going.

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How Biden Adopted Trump’s Trade War With China

The president has proposed new barriers to electric vehicles, steel and other goods..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Sabrina Tavernise, and this is “The Daily.”

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Donald Trump upended decades of American policy when he started a trade war with China. Many thought that President Biden would reverse those policies. Instead, he’s stepping them up. Today, my colleague, Jim Tankersley, explains.

It’s Monday, May 13.

Jim, it’s very nice to have you in the studio.

It’s so great to be here, Sabrina. Thank you so much.

So we are going to talk today about something I find very interesting and I know you’ve been following. We’re in the middle of a presidential campaign. You are an economics reporter looking at these two candidates, and you’ve been trying to understand how Trump and Biden are thinking about our number one economic rival, and that is China.

As we know, Trump has been very loud and very clear about his views on China. What about Biden?

Well, no one is going to accuse President Biden of being as loud as former President Trump. But I think he’s actually been fairly clear in a way that might surprise a lot of people about how he sees economic competition with China.

We’re going after China in the wrong way. China is stealing intellectual property. China is conditioning —

And Biden has, kind of surprisingly, sounded a lot, in his own Joe Biden way, like Trump.

They’re not competing. They’re cheating. They’re cheating. And we’ve seen the damage here in America.

He has been very clear that he thinks China is cheating in trade.

The bottom line is I want fair competition with China, not conflict. And we’re in a stronger position to win the economic competition of the 21st century against China or anyone else because we’re investing in America and American workers again. Finally.

And maybe the most surprising thing from a policy perspective is just how much Biden has built on top of the anti-China moves that Trump made and really is the verge of his own sort of trade war with China.

Interesting. So remind us, Jim, what did Trump do when he actually came into office? We, of course, remember Trump really talking about China and banging that drum hard during the campaign, but remind us what he actually did when he came into office.

Yeah, it’s really instructive to start with the campaign, because Trump is talking about China in some very specific ways.

We have a $500 billion deficit, trade deficit, with China. We’re going to turn it around. And we have the cards. Don’t forget —

They’re ripping us off. They’re stealing our jobs.

They’re using our country as a piggy bank to rebuild China, and many other countries are doing the same thing. So we’re losing our good jobs, so many.

The economic context here is the United States has lost a couple of million jobs in what was called the China shock of the early 2000s. And Trump is tapping into that.

But when the Chinese come in, and they want to make great trade deals — and they make the best trade deals, and not anymore. When I’m there, we turn it around, folks. We turn it around. We have —

And what he’s promising as president is that he’s going to bring those jobs back.

I’ll be the greatest jobs president that God ever created. I’ll take them back from China, from Japan.

And not just any jobs, good-paying manufacturing jobs, all of it — clothes, shoes, steel, all of these jobs that have been lost that American workers, particularly in the industrial Midwest, used to do. Trump’s going to bring them back with policy meant to rebalance the trade relationship with China to get a better deal with China.

So he’s saying China is eating our lunch and has been for decades. That’s the reason why factory workers in rural North Carolina don’t have work. It’s those guys. And I’m going to change that.

Right. And he likes to say it’s because our leaders didn’t cut the right deal with them, so I’m going to make a better deal. And to get a better deal, you need leverage. So a year into his presidency, he starts taking steps to amass leverage with China.

And so what does that look like?

Just an hour ago, surrounded by a hand-picked group of steelworkers, President Trump revealed he was not bluffing.

It starts with tariffs. Tariffs are taxes that the government imposes on imports.

Two key global imports into America now face a major new barrier.

Today, I’m defending America’s national security by placing tariffs on foreign imports of steel and aluminum.

And in this case, it’s imports from a lot of different countries, but particularly China.

Let’s take it straight to the White House. The president of the United States announcing new trade tariffs against China. Let’s listen in.

This has been long in the making. You’ve heard —

So Trump starts, in 2018, this series of tariffs that he’s imposing on all sorts of things — washing machines, solar panels, steel, aluminum. I went to Delaware to a lighting store at that time, I remember, where basically everything they sold came from China and was subject to the Trump tariffs, because that’s where lighting was made now.

Interesting.

Hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods now start falling under these Trump tariffs. The Chinese, of course, don’t take this lying down.

China says it is not afraid of a trade war with the US, and it’s fighting back against President Trump with its own tariffs on US goods.

They do their own retaliatory tariffs. Now American exports to China cost more for Chinese consumers. And boom, all of a sudden, we are in the midst of a full-blown trade war between the United States and Beijing.

Right. And that trade war was kind of a shock because for decades, politicians had avoided that kind of policy. It was the consensus of the political class in the United States that there should not be tariffs like that. It should be free trade. And Trump just came in and blew up the consensus.

Yeah. And Sabrina, I may have mentioned this once or 700 times before on this program, but I talk to a lot of economists in my job.

Yeah, it’s weird. I talk to a lot of economists. And in 2018 when this started, there were very, very, very few economists of any political persuasion who thought that imposing all these tariffs were a good idea. Republican economists in particular, this is antithetical to how they think about the world, which is low taxes, free trade. And even Democratic economists who thought they had some problems with the way free trade had been conducted did not think that Trump’s “I’m going to get a better deal” approach was going to work. And so there was a lot of criticism at the time, and a lot of politicians really didn’t like it, a lot of Democrats, many Republicans. And it all added up to just a real, whoa, I don’t think this is going to work.

So that begs the question, did it?

Well, it depends on what you mean by work. Economically, it does not appear to have achieved what Trump wanted. There’s no evidence yet in the best economic research that’s been done on this that enormous amounts of manufacturing jobs came back to the United States because of Trump’s tariffs. There was research, for example, on the tariffs on washing machines. They appear to have helped a couple thousand jobs, manufacturing jobs be created in the United States, but they also raised the price of washing machines for everybody who bought them by enough that each additional job that was created by those tariffs effectively cost consumers, like, $800,000 per job.

There’s like lots of evidence that the sectors Trump was targeting to try to help here, he didn’t. There just wasn’t a lot of employment rebound to the United States. But politically, it really worked. The tariffs were very popular. They had this effect of showing voters in those hollowed-out manufacturing areas that Trump was on their team and that he was fighting for them. Even if they didn’t see the jobs coming back, they felt like he was standing up for them.

So the research suggests this was a savvy political move by Trump. And in the process, it sort of changes the political economic landscape in both parties in the United States.

Right. So Trump made these policies that seemed, for many, many years in the American political system, fringe, isolationist, economically bad, suddenly quite palatable and even desirable to mainstream policymakers.

Yeah. Suddenly getting tough on China is something everyone wants to do across both parties. And so from a political messaging standpoint, being tough on China is now where the mainstream is. But at the same time, there is still big disagreement over whether Trump is getting tough on China in the right way, whether he’s actually being effective at changing the trade relationship with China.

Remember that Trump was imposing these tariffs as a way to get leverage for a better deal with China. Well, he gets a deal of sorts, actually, with the Chinese government, which includes some things about tariffs, and also China agreeing to buy some products from the United States. Trump spins it as this huge win, but nobody else really, including Republicans, acts like Trump has solved the problem that Trump himself has identified. This deal is not enough to make everybody go, well, everything’s great with China now. We can move on to the next thing.

China remains this huge issue. And the question of what is the most effective way to deal with them is still an animating force in politics.

Got it. So politically, huge win, but policy-wise and economically, and fundamentally, the problem of China still very much unresolved.

Absolutely.

So then Biden comes in. What does Biden do? Does he keep the tariffs on?

Biden comes to office, and there remains this real pressure from economists to roll back what they consider to be the ineffective parts of Trump’s trade policy. That includes many of the tariffs. And it’s especially true at a time when almost immediately after Biden takes office, inflation spikes. And so Americans are paying a lot of money for products, and there’s this pressure on Biden, including from inside his administration, to roll back some of the China tariffs to give Americans some relief on prices.

And Biden considers this, but he doesn’t do it. He doesn’t reverse Trump’s tariff policy. In the end, he’s actually building on it.

We’ll be right back.

So Jim, you said that Biden is actually building on Trump’s anti-China policy. What exactly does that look like?

So Biden builds on the Trump China policy in three key ways, but he does it with a really specific goal that I just want you to keep in mind as we talk about all of this, which is that Biden isn’t just trying to beat China on everything. He’s not trying to cut a better deal. Biden is trying to beat China in a specific race to own the clean-energy future.

Clean energy.

Yeah. So keep that in mind, clean energy. And the animating force behind all of the things Biden does with China is that Biden wants to beat China on what he thinks are the jobs of the future, and that’s green technology.

Got it. OK. So what does he do first?

OK. Thing number one — let’s talk about the tariffs. He does not roll them back. And actually, he builds on them. For years, for the most part, he just lets the tariffs be. His administration reviews them. And it’s only now, this week, when his administration is going to actually act on the tariffs. And what they’re going to do is raise some of them. They’re going to raise them on strategic green tech things, like electric vehicles, in order to make them more expensive.

And I think it’s important to know the backdrop here, which is since Biden has taken office, China has started flooding global markets with really low-cost green technologies. Solar panels, electric vehicles are the two really big ones. And Biden’s aides are terrified that those imports are going to wash over the United States and basically wipe out American automakers, solar panel manufacturers, that essentially, if Americans can just buy super-cheap stuff from China, they’re not going to buy it from American factories. Those factories are going to go out of business.

So Biden’s goal of manufacturing jobs in clean energy, China is really threatening that by dumping all these products on the American market.

Exactly. And so what he wants to do is protect those factories with tariffs. And that means increasing the tariffs that Trump put on electric vehicles in hopes that American consumers will find them too expensive to buy.

But doesn’t that go against Biden’s goal of clean energy and things better for the environment? Lots of mass-market electric vehicles into the United States would seem to advance that goal. And here, he’s saying, no, you can’t come in.

Right, because Biden isn’t just trying to reduce emissions at all costs. He wants to reduce emissions while boosting American manufacturing jobs. He doesn’t want China to get a monopoly in these areas. And he’s also, in particular, worried about the politics of lost American manufacturing jobs. So Biden does not want to just let you buy cheaper Chinese technologies, even if that means reducing emissions.

He wants to boost American manufacturing of those things to compete with China, which brings us to our second thing that Biden has done to build on Trump’s China policy, which is that Biden has started to act like the Chinese government in particular areas by showering American manufacturers with subsidies.

I see. So dumping government money into American businesses.

Yes, tax incentives, direct grants. This is a way that China has, in the past decades, built its manufacturing dominance, is with state support for factories. Biden is trying to do that in particular targeted industries, including electric vehicles, solar power, wind power, semiconductors. Biden has passed a bunch of legislation that showers those sectors with incentives and government support in hopes of growing up much faster American industry.

Got it. So basically, Biden is trying to beat China at its own game.

Yeah, he’s essentially using tariffs to build a fortress around American industry so that he can train the troops to fight the clean energy battle with China.

And the troops being American companies.

Yes. It’s like, we’re going to give them protection — protectionist policy — in order to get up to size, get up to strength as an army in this battle for clean energy dominance against the Chinese.

Got it. So he’s trying to build up the fortress. What’s the third thing Biden does? You mentioned three things.

Biden does not want the United States going it alone against China. He’s trying to build an international coalition, wealthy countries and some other emerging countries that are going to take on China and try to stop the Chinese from using their trade playbook to take over all these new emerging industrial markets.

But, Jim, why? What does the US get from bringing our allies into this trade war? Why does the US want that?

Some of this really is about stopping China from gaining access to new markets. It’s like, if you put the low-cost Chinese exports on a boat, and it’s going around the world, looking for a dock to stop and offload the stuff and sell it, Biden wants barriers up at every possible port. And he wants factories in those places that are competing with the Chinese.

And a crucial fact to know here is that the United States and Europe, they are behind China when it comes to clean-energy technology. The Chinese government has invested a lot more than America and Europe in building up its industrial capacity for clean energy. So America and its allies want to deny China dominance of those markets and to build up their own access to them.

And they’re behind, so they’ve got to get going. It’s like they’re in a race, and they’re trailing.

Yeah, it’s an economic race to own these industries, and it’s that global emissions race. They also want to be bringing down fossil-fuel emissions faster than they currently are, and this is their plan.

So I guess, Jim, the question in my mind is, Trump effectively broke the seal, right? He started all of these tariffs. He started this trade war with China. But he did it in this kind of jackhammer, non-targeted way, and it didn’t really work economically. Now Biden is taking it a step further. But the question is, is his effort here going to work?

The answer to whether it’s going to work really depends on what your goals are. And Biden and Trump have very different goals. If Trump wins the White House back, he has made very clear that his goal is to try to rip the United States trade relationship with China even more than he already has. He just wants less trade with China and more stuff of all types made in the United States that used to be made in China. That’s a very difficult goal, but it’s not Biden’s goal.

Biden’s goal is that he wants America to make more stuff in these targeted industries. And there is real skepticism from free-market economists that his industrial policies will work on that, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm for it from a new strain of Democratic economists, in particular, who believe that the only chance Biden has to make that work is by pulling all of these levers, by doing the big subsidies and by putting up the tariffs, that you have to have both the troops training and the wall around them. And if it’s going to work, he has to build on the Trump policies. And so I guess you’re asking, will it work? It may be dependent upon just how far he’s willing to go on the subsidies and the barriers.

There’s a chance of it.

So, Jim, at the highest level, whatever the economic outcome here, it strikes me that these moves by Biden are pretty remarkably different from the policies of the Democratic Party over the decades, really going in the opposite direction. I’m thinking of Bill Clinton and NAFTA in the 1990s. Free trade was the real central mantra of the Democratic Party, really of both parties.

Yeah, and Biden is a real break from Clinton. And Clinton was the one who actually signed the law that really opened up trade with China, and Biden’s a break from that. He’s a break from even President Obama when he was vice president. Biden is doing something different. He’s breaking from that Democratic tradition, and he’s building on what Trump did, but with some throwback elements to it from the Roosevelt administration and the Eisenhower administration. This is this grand American tradition of industrial policy that gave us the space race and the interstate highway system. It’s the idea of using the power of the federal government to build up specific industrial capacities. It was in vogue for a time. It fell out of fashion and was replaced by this idea that the government should get out of the way, and you let the free market drive innovation. And now that industrial policy idea is back in vogue, and Biden is doing it.

So it isn’t just a shift or an evolution. It’s actually a return to big government spending of the ‘30s and the ‘40s and the ‘50s of American industrialism of that era. So what goes around comes around.

Yeah, and it’s a return to that older economic theory with new elements. And it’s in part because of the almost jealousy that American policymakers have of China and the success that it’s had building up its own industrial base. But it also has this political element to it. It’s, in part, animated by the success that Trump had making China an issue with working-class American voters.

You didn’t have to lose your job to China to feel like China was a stand-in for the forces that have taken away good-paying middle-class jobs from American workers who expected those jobs to be there. And so Trump tapped into that. And Biden is trying to tap into that. And the political incentives are pushing every future American president to do more of that. So I think we are going to see even more of this going forward, and that’s why we’re in such an interesting moment right now.

So we’re going to see more fortresses.

More fortresses, more troops, more money.

Jim, thank you.

You’re welcome.

Here’s what else you should know today. Intense fighting between Hamas fighters and Israeli troops raged in parts of Northern Gaza over the weekend, an area where Israel had declared Hamas defeated earlier in the war, only to see the group reconstitute in the power vacuum that was left behind. The persistent lawlessness raised concerns about the future of Gaza among American officials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the return of Hamas to the North left him concerned that Israeli victories there would be, quote, “not sustainable,” and said that Israel had not presented the United States with any plan for when the war ends.

And the United Nations aid agency in Gaza said early on Sunday that about 300,000 people had fled from Rafah over the past week, the city in the enclave’s southernmost tip where more than a million displaced Gazans had sought shelter from Israeli bombardments elsewhere. The UN made the announcement hours after the Israeli government issued new evacuation orders in Rafah, deepening fears that the Israeli military was preparing to invade the city despite international warnings.

Today’s episode was produced by Nina Feldman, Carlos Prieto, Sidney Harper, and Luke Vander Ploeg. It was edited by M.J. Davis Lin, Brendan Klinkenberg, and Lisa Chow. Contains original music by Diane Wong, Marion Lozano, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Sabrina Tavernise. See you tomorrow.

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Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise

Produced by Nina Feldman ,  Carlos Prieto ,  Sydney Harper and Luke Vander Ploeg

Edited by M.J. Davis Lin ,  Brendan Klinkenberg and Lisa Chow

Original music by Diane Wong ,  Marion Lozano and Dan Powell

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

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Donald Trump upended decades of American policy when he started a trade war with China. Many thought that President Biden would reverse those policies. Instead, he’s stepping them up.

Jim Tankersley, who covers economic policy at the White House, explains.

On today’s episode

Jim Tankersley , who covers economic policy at the White House for The New York Times.

Background reading

Mr. Biden, competing with Mr. Trump to be tough on China , called for steel tariffs last month.

The Biden administration may raise tariffs on electric vehicles from China to 100 percent .

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