I think it's wonderful what you are doing, Julia. To me, you seemed like someone whose search was reaching feverish levels, always looking for something more, and I worried you might be heading to extremes that risked everything. But instead, you've reached the opposite outcome; giving it all up and living in the moment. As a fellow lifelong searcher, I've come to a similar revelation. Life isn't so much a pursuit of being more, it's about being less. To live life simply, close to the earth itself, and to feel and cherish the everyday. To live like an animal. I wish you well.
First, it is WILDLY cool to have followed you since the very beginning. I’ve enjoyed seeing the Journey’s journey :)
I’m having trouble articulating this, so if a seed of it seems interesting I’d love to set up a call, but:
I’d love to hear your thoughts on what this experience has done to your desire to help others / “impact” other people in the world?
I know that some of our altruism can be coming from an ego/selfish place, but I also know, personally, that I’m better at freely giving when I’m operating out of my highest self.
Like, what does it mean to help fellow humans from a place of joy versus a place of pressure or responsibility?
And a primarily rhetorical question I’m slightly ashamed to ask: is love/joy-led altruism/activism as “effective” in the short term as ego-led altruism/activism?
Amazing article! Much like with chasing "truth" outside of ourselves, we often return to the same ultimate conclusion--that everything can be found within, completely unadulterated. I've had a similar life and career trajectory with psychedelics. I love writing about them, and I found them to be such a fascinating gateway into understanding the universe, consciousness, and or role within it all. But, "healing" has become a bit of a neurotic obsession in Western society, and once fringe passions become adopted at widescale, it's usually an indicator for me that the ship has sailed and my alignment with the tools has shifted back to presence and day to day beauties. Such an important read for those chasing the "next big journey" with the "next strongest substance." Been there and have certainly benefitted, but nothing ultimately led me to anything other than the same conclusion!
I don't really understand it (and i'm letting that be, for now.) but now that I've stopped smoking drinking smoking etc. I've caught on to a junk food addiction - and that's burning holes in my wallet faster than all my other addictions. I find myself despondent over seemingly having no choice in this - I never thought I'd get so far in the process. But now I really don't know how to deal with an eating disorder and I guess I just wanted to write that down. It's even more complex because now it's also highlighting body issues where I'm fretting more about my physique because of all the food and concomitantly not exercising at all. It's a bit of a unexplored territory.
Astrology is tracking for you. I’m not an astrologer but love to soak it all up. I have been deeply in my healing journey the past 8-10 years and feeling like I can leave that all behind now too, don’t think could ever read a quit Lit book again. So to the astrology, Chiron has been in Aries for the past 8 years and is moving into Taurus for the next 8 years, starting, well, today! Heaps of great Substack articles on this at the moment. Each sign focuses on different wounds, and we’re done with the Aries wounds now moving into Taurus with focus on the body (love your description of food, nature, animals, loved ones and joy, I feel the same). Excuse my simplistic astrology definition there, but as I said sounds like it tracks for you. Also if born 1977-1984 it is quite profound, Chiron hasn’t been Taurus since this timeframe. I’m born in 1980. Just thought I’d share. Take care, Erin x
From a fellow Beond alum, that's amazing Julia! It takes bravery and courage to break free and to enjoy our experience here without fitting into the boxes we were told and expected to fit into just because that is how things are. The medicines brought you what you needed, the truths, the wisdom. You've been reminded of who you truly are. I'm 13 months in to my psychedelic/spiritual journey and I can see myself getting to a place like you are at, putting the medicine and some of the spiritual practices on a shelf.
This is inspiring, while I don't explore psychedelics much outside of psilocybin, I have been deep into the self-help and healing journey for a long while now. I can feel a glimmer of what you describe here, and I hope to embody it fully one day soon. Thanks for sharing <3
Thank you, Jules, for connecting with us lo these many years. This beautiful ending is but a gateway for your new beginnings. Presence is your path - - once you've got it somatically, you can trust it - - and joy your music. Lots of love to you!
I think it's wonderful what you are doing, Julia. To me, you seemed like someone whose search was reaching feverish levels, always looking for something more, and I worried you might be heading to extremes that risked everything. But instead, you've reached the opposite outcome; giving it all up and living in the moment. As a fellow lifelong searcher, I've come to a similar revelation. Life isn't so much a pursuit of being more, it's about being less. To live life simply, close to the earth itself, and to feel and cherish the everyday. To live like an animal. I wish you well.
First, it is WILDLY cool to have followed you since the very beginning. I’ve enjoyed seeing the Journey’s journey :)
I’m having trouble articulating this, so if a seed of it seems interesting I’d love to set up a call, but:
I’d love to hear your thoughts on what this experience has done to your desire to help others / “impact” other people in the world?
I know that some of our altruism can be coming from an ego/selfish place, but I also know, personally, that I’m better at freely giving when I’m operating out of my highest self.
Like, what does it mean to help fellow humans from a place of joy versus a place of pressure or responsibility?
And a primarily rhetorical question I’m slightly ashamed to ask: is love/joy-led altruism/activism as “effective” in the short term as ego-led altruism/activism?
Amazing article! Much like with chasing "truth" outside of ourselves, we often return to the same ultimate conclusion--that everything can be found within, completely unadulterated. I've had a similar life and career trajectory with psychedelics. I love writing about them, and I found them to be such a fascinating gateway into understanding the universe, consciousness, and or role within it all. But, "healing" has become a bit of a neurotic obsession in Western society, and once fringe passions become adopted at widescale, it's usually an indicator for me that the ship has sailed and my alignment with the tools has shifted back to presence and day to day beauties. Such an important read for those chasing the "next big journey" with the "next strongest substance." Been there and have certainly benefitted, but nothing ultimately led me to anything other than the same conclusion!
I don't really understand it (and i'm letting that be, for now.) but now that I've stopped smoking drinking smoking etc. I've caught on to a junk food addiction - and that's burning holes in my wallet faster than all my other addictions. I find myself despondent over seemingly having no choice in this - I never thought I'd get so far in the process. But now I really don't know how to deal with an eating disorder and I guess I just wanted to write that down. It's even more complex because now it's also highlighting body issues where I'm fretting more about my physique because of all the food and concomitantly not exercising at all. It's a bit of a unexplored territory.
Wishing you well, Julia! Perhaps those essays might be the foundation of a book?
Hi Julia,
Astrology is tracking for you. I’m not an astrologer but love to soak it all up. I have been deeply in my healing journey the past 8-10 years and feeling like I can leave that all behind now too, don’t think could ever read a quit Lit book again. So to the astrology, Chiron has been in Aries for the past 8 years and is moving into Taurus for the next 8 years, starting, well, today! Heaps of great Substack articles on this at the moment. Each sign focuses on different wounds, and we’re done with the Aries wounds now moving into Taurus with focus on the body (love your description of food, nature, animals, loved ones and joy, I feel the same). Excuse my simplistic astrology definition there, but as I said sounds like it tracks for you. Also if born 1977-1984 it is quite profound, Chiron hasn’t been Taurus since this timeframe. I’m born in 1980. Just thought I’d share. Take care, Erin x
That was truly profound yet simple clear thanks for writing it
From a fellow Beond alum, that's amazing Julia! It takes bravery and courage to break free and to enjoy our experience here without fitting into the boxes we were told and expected to fit into just because that is how things are. The medicines brought you what you needed, the truths, the wisdom. You've been reminded of who you truly are. I'm 13 months in to my psychedelic/spiritual journey and I can see myself getting to a place like you are at, putting the medicine and some of the spiritual practices on a shelf.
🫶🏼🤍 much love. And love your writing so any topic welcome! ;)
This is inspiring, while I don't explore psychedelics much outside of psilocybin, I have been deep into the self-help and healing journey for a long while now. I can feel a glimmer of what you describe here, and I hope to embody it fully one day soon. Thanks for sharing <3
Thank you, Jules, for connecting with us lo these many years. This beautiful ending is but a gateway for your new beginnings. Presence is your path - - once you've got it somatically, you can trust it - - and joy your music. Lots of love to you!