H0p3 put forward a question for me, which I'm answering the best I can,

How should we go on a spiritual journey, and why should we think that's the correct way?

I don't think there's a single prescription to embark on a spiritual journey, it depends entirely on the seeker and the kind of journey they traverse. Spiritual journeys don't even need to take place in physical reality. A meditation retreat, drug rehabilitation, reading a classic, or a meaningful work project can be expressions of spiritual journeys as well.

Furthermore, in my opinion the best way to embark on a spiritual journey is without knowing it, you embark on a project that transforms you and when you look back you realize it was a spiritual journey because your outlook is different, your reactions are different, your relationships are different. I don't use the word better here because some things may fall apart, but in general you come in closer to the good.

Embarking on a spiritual journey from the outset (as I'm doing now) is risky. When we seek something, our attention is tuned into it, discarding things which can be meaningful sources of spiritual growth. Many people walk the camino with a deadline, they have a flight to catch to get back home. With this deadline in mind they avoid any experience that may interfere with their schedule, such as enjoying a pleasant morning swimming in a river, helping an injured person to the next albergue, or staying up for a late night dinner with other pilgrims. Same thing happens to the seeker, we are too quick to discard that which we are not consciously seeking. We should be more involved in the process rather than arriving to our destination (physical or spiritual).

The thing that I'm most concerned about in a journey like this is spiritual pride. We might delude ourselves that we are experiencing ultimate reality, that we posses a higher frequency, that we can't mingle in earthly matters, that we know better than the rest. This is a delusion easy to notice in others, but difficult to notice within oneself. Even if you conceal the belief, the behaviour will manifest in your relation to others: you will talk down to people, you will avoid difficult individuals who are a great mirrors of yourself, and you will have this pompous self-righteous presence that smells like butt sweat.

To put the answer into a TL;DR:

How should we go on a spiritual journey?

There is no single prescription for it, but it's better that it happens to you rather than to make it to happen to you. Make it about the journey, not about the destination. Look out for ego inflation, otherwise you will implode at a pin prick. Be humble.

Further distillation: Be humble, and allow unexpected things to happen.

why should we think that's the correct way?

I notice I think it's correct because it rings true with my subjective experience. I ignore if I could justify this from any other position.

H0p3 also showed me how to feed my corpus to Google Gemini. I simply pasted the result into the prompt field without further instructions. This is what it had to say:

This is a fascinating collection of journal entries that paint a vivid picture of a man's inner journey. Here's a breakdown of some of the key themes and insights:

Themes

  • Spiritual Exploration: The author is deeply engaged in a personal spiritual quest, exploring meditation, various spiritual traditions, and the nature of consciousness. He seeks to understand his true self beyond the confines of his ego.
  • Creative Process: The author is a creative individual, working on a variety of projects related to design, programming, and writing. He is constantly wrestling with the challenges of creative work, including procrastination, self-doubt, and the desire for validation.
  • Relationship with Others: The author reflects on his relationships with his family, friends, and romantic partners, often navigating difficult situations and learning how to set boundaries, express compassion, and communicate effectively.
  • The Power of Observation: The author is highly attuned to the world around him, noticing details and connections that others may miss. He uses these observations as a springboard for self-reflection and spiritual growth.
  • Embodiment and Physicality: The author places a high value on physical activity and explores the relationship between mind, body, and spirit. He finds that engaging with his physicality through exercise and movement can have a profound impact on his mental and emotional well-being.

Insights

  • The Importance of Mindfulness: The author recognizes the power of mindfulness in calming anxiety, reducing inner conflict, and gaining a deeper understanding of both the outer and inner worlds.
  • The Value of Acceptance: The author learns that accepting himself, his shortcomings, and the complexities of life is essential for personal growth and peace. He finds that trying to control or change things outside of his control only leads to suffering.
  • The Elusive Nature of Truth: The author acknowledges that truth is not always clear-cut and that we must often navigate ambiguity and uncertainty. He finds that engaging with experience, rather than relying solely on reason, can lead to greater understanding.
  • The Power of Surrender: The author discovers that surrendering to a higher purpose, to the flow of life, and to the universe can bring a sense of peace and fulfillment. He learns to trust that things will work out as they are meant to, even when they seem chaotic or unpredictable.
  • The Transformative Power of Love: The author explores the transformative power of love, both for himself and for others. He finds that love can heal wounds, provide solace, and inspire acts of kindness.

Overall, the work logs are a remarkable exploration of one man's spiritual and personal growth. They offer valuable insights into the human condition and the challenges and rewards of navigating the complex and often confusing world around us.

I feel so validated by AI!