No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell. ~ Carl Jung Embodied spirituality reflects the wisdom of the lotus flower, with its roots in the mud, and its crown opening to the heavens. Not only that in order to be whole and integrally awaken, once needs to integrate The Shadow, and embrace all aspects of the personality, energy, and existence, but one should also embrace hell, in all of its pains and horrors. Not in order to perpetuate misery, or anything like that, but in order to recognize that there is a gift, and wisdom in the pain, and struggle that we endure throughout our existence. It will be wonderful if we could live in a utopian world, where there is no need to struggle, where humans grow, and mature by inspiration and good will alone, to better themselves and the world around them. However it seems, that pain and suffering defined us in the most beautiful and beneficial ways. Our struggles gives us a sense of depth and insight, they allow us to become more wise, and truly compassionate. We tend to understand others, and care more deeply after we know the pain of existence, and the challenges that life can bring. It is by going through those struggles, getting scarred and even a bit traumatized in the process, that we mature, and grow. It is through our struggles that life carves us like a carpenter, or a potter, and gives us our unique shape as we come out, hopefully triumphing, through the other side. Yes, pick moments, joy, ambition, and love also have a great part to play in this journey. However still, the depth of our realization, embodiment, and humanity, comes from the roots that we lay in the ground, which interns allow us to soar through the heavens. In that way, one learns not to reject or runaway from suffering, rather embrace the darkness to find the light. 🌟 (at Koh Phangan) https://www.instagram.com/p/COKkzQhhMAG/?igshid=1ug9veexsegbn