When you're stuck in your head, you're not really here. You’re missing life. You’re going through the motions on autopilot. And life becomes dull, boring and meaningless.

But life was never meant to be dull, boring and meaningless; it’s meant to be rich, vibrant and glorious.

The truth is, most people spend their days trapped in thought. But when you practice embodiment, something shifts. You come alive, the world comes alive with you, and there's a depth and meaning to life that makes it so worth living.

I'm not here to slam therapy. I believe it's a vital part of our personal and spiritual journey toward wholeness and lasting peace. But I do think many people are missing the mark by making it the primary focus, instead of integrating other aspects of growth.

As a transpersonal psychologist, I recommend a more integrative approach to life. The truth is, therapy can become counterproductive if it isn’t supported by other forms of growth. Too much therapy without this balance might leave you feeling like you've overdone therapy, while you still don’t feel any closer to real change. Worst case, it can actually cause more psychological harm.

Gratitude...bla bla bla. Old news, right? Just another trending buzzword, right?

Hold up a minute. Maybe there's a reason for all the hype?

What if this simple practice holds the secret to dissolving the self and awakening a deeper, almost mystical consciousness for spiritual growth?

And we've overlooked it. Fobbing it off rolling our eyes going, "yeah, yeah, I know all about that!"

There's good reason this spiritual practice keeps hanging around. There's something powerful and transformative about it. You'll find it in all the spiritual traditions of the world in some form or another.

And in transpersonal psychology, it’s seen as a transformative practice that bridges the personal and transpersonal realms. A fundamental practice on anyone's spiritual path.

So how does gratitude shift us beyond the ego’s grip into transcendence and oneness?

We all know that spiritual practices were designed to encourage spiritual growth. Now neuroscience is giving us a sneaky peak at what’s going on in the brain during heightened spiritual states. And similar neural correlates can be found in some unexpected hobbies. Discover which hobbies can prime your brain for a spiritual awakening.

Wondering how to start your spiritual journey? You probably already have. This article breaks down what the journey looks like, how to spot the signs, and what tools can help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Had a spiritual experience that blew your mind and now you’re desperate to kill your ego? You’re not alone. That taste of oneness and bliss makes it feel like the ego’s the only thing standing in the way of your true self. We just want rid of it! But torching it? Kinda not very spiritual. This article dives into why making peace with your ego is the fastest way to living in universal consciousness.

Having a mystical experience or experiencing the mystical state and non-duality is an important part of any spiritual path. It can be a total game changer. And it is ultimately what all this spiritual practice is about when you begin your spiritual journey. So, what causes mystical experiences?

Something deep within you is shifting, your reality is changing, your world view is expanding. Maybe you're beginning to perceive the interconnectedness of all things. As if a veil is lifting, revealing new dimensions of understanding and insight that were once hidden from view.

I can't tell you whether it's a good idea to talk to others about your mystical experience. But I will share some thoughts on the back of my own experience. I've had two mystical experiences, and one of them I find perfectly fine to talk about.

The other, until recently, I've been totally in the closet about, and it happened nearly seven years ago.

Our inner critic develops in childhood and supports and protects us. Where is that inner critic when we grow up? It's right there with us, still taking care of us. But now, its program is outdated, and its protection is more like that of an overbearing bully.

Thanks to neural plasticity, we can change that using the strategies outlined above. It's time to take back your power, befriend your inner critic, and become the unstoppable team you need to thrive in this world.

Discovering your top character strengths can be a powerful way of discovering who you really are and what you value. It can help you build confidence, find purpose and live a fulfilling life. Use the VIA survey to discover your unique strengths profile and which virtues you are strongest in. Working with your character strength to develop personally will enhance your relationship with yourself and others, improving your well-being along the way.

Discover what mystical experiences are, what triggers them, and how to integrate them. Read our comprehensive guide to understanding these profound moments of insight.

Children grow and develop. It comes naturally to them. Personal growth is an inherent behavior. But why should it stop when we become adults? Our brains are plastic, capable of continuous growth, development and adaptation throughout our lives. Embracing personal growth as a lifelong adventure can lead to profound improvements in our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.