Following an alternative spiritual path can be a difficult choice. Often, there is little support from friends and family. This is especially true if you are leaving an established religion. Others may feel that you have become the “black sheep” of the family, or worse, that you are losing your mind.

But, other opinions are minor compared to your own fears and doubts that will emerge while letting go of the familiar and following an unknown path. Since, every spiritual journey is unique, you will have to learn to rely on the Spirit’s guidance. This can be scary in the beginning, because you haven’t learned to trust the Divine guidance yet. You will vacillate between listening your own “common sense and judgement” and listening to the Divine. This means your new-found path may be riddled with “mistakes.” A mistake is a clear sign that you relied on your own judgement instead of Divine guidance.

“Mistakes” are learning devices, offering contrasts between light and dark. And, after each mistake, you’ll be a little wiser. You’ll see where you didn’t listen to the Divine, Who quietly nudged your heart. Soon, you’ll learn to consistently ask/pray for guidance before making each decision and wait with a quiet mind, letting the Divine breakthrough, offering you guidance, which you then follow. This process seems simple, but it’s amazing how we much resist Divine guidance, and how much doubt and fear will rise to the surface when we feel/hear it. We’ll think things like, What if it wasn’t the spirit’s voice, but my own?…What if people think I’m crazy…What if the Voice is wrong? 

How do you know the difference between the ego’s voice and the Divine’s voice? Ask yourself, Does it feel loving?, Does it feel right? Your feelings are much truer than your thoughts. Thoughts are of the ego/world, while loving/peaceful feelings are of the Divine. Fear-based “feelings” (anger, anxiety, hopelessness, irritation, etc.) stem from thoughts produced by your ego. Fear signifies that you are listening to yourself, and not the Divine. When you follow your heart, without caring what other’s think, without listening to the fears that bubble to the surface, you can be sure it’s the right thing to do.

If you have a problem letting go of your fears, try these mediations.