Jordan Ogren

November 19, 2021

The one constant in life.

"What if I don't want to be alone with myself?"

"I get that."

....

"No one wants to spend time (alone) with themselves. It's scary. Vulnerable. But what other chocie do you have?"

"You're right. I've tried everything else."

That was a recent conversation with my brother. I mentioned how I disagreed with him that multitasking is net-positive.

I correlated his multitasking with his mind never wanting to be alone. When he multitasks, his mind is on multiple things, staying busy—never having the space to turn on itself and investigate and inquire.

I didn't touch on how alcohol, sex, achievements, and many other things have filled the void for him in the past. It provided him a way out from facing himself.

Instead of lecturing him, I told him about my journey. How I felt so hopeless, alone, and scared during my anxiety attacks (back in March).

I tried anything in an attempt to avoid the time alone with my mind. It didn't work. Only one thing worked:

Letting every facade fall and facing my naked being.

Because what I've realized is that I only have myself (essential self/naked being/The I Am). The clothes I wear can fall away at a moment's notice (e.g., being a husband, a marketer, a good boy, a smart boy).

And I'm left with the only thing that's never left; myself.

"The highest, most decisive experience is to be alone with one's own self. You must be alone to find out what supports you, when you find that you can not support yourself. Only this experience can give you an indestructible foundation." — Carl G. Jung.

Only the essential self/awareness/Christ remains. That is what supports us through and through.

If you are like me and are building your life on a shaky foundation (e.g., I'm a marketer, I'm a great husband), you will suffer. But, it's not wrong to be the best dad you can be.

But if that's what you build your house on, you will face suffering. For example, imagine your child gets cancer and passes away. Who are you then? You're no longer a father.

This will make you feel depressed, alone, and anxious to attach to something new (e.g., successful businessman, devoted religious man). This is a cycle some never step out of their entire life...

Instead, spend time alone with yourself and build your life on the ONE thing that never changes.

It will be time well spent because, in the end, all that remains is the I Am.

If you need someone to talk to, someone who has been inches from quitting the game, please reach out. We are in this together.

"I am, because you are. You are, because I am." (Ubuntu)

🧠 + ❤️ // JO