Individuation: Becoming yourself.

Individuation — becoming who you are — means living more and more in harmony with yourself. Because to live in harmony with yourself means to be yourself.

The acceptance and integration of our own weaknesses, fears, needs, desires, hopes, abilities, goals, and ideals is the gentle and courageous path toward that.

When we exclude, split off, forget, or deny parts of ourselves, something is missing — and we suffer.

The integration of inner splits is at the heart of the path to oneself — the path of individuation.

"Becoming yourself" is not something you can plan or engineer. It happens quite naturally when we look at where something doesn't quite feel right — and tend to it.

Often it is life transitions, crises, conflicts, and the like that remind us that another step toward greater harmony is possible. Over time, we learn to be more and more ourselves in new situations.

Many wise people have written much of value about individuation. Still, it remains an individual path without universal formulas or shortcuts.

Some say individuation is the most important work, even the reason we are on this earth. On a practical level, it is also the path to greater well-being and joy in life.

Along this path there are many obstacles and wrong turns, but also many helpful tools and support. What may sound surprising at first is quite essential: the path of individuation can hardly be walked alone.

I too am a fellow traveller on this path, grateful for the companionship of wonderful people.