Really enjoyed this read, Sean, and I appreciate your vulnerability. I once tried to “find my tribe” in the world of “spirituality,” and while I’ve met some truly incredible people with truly warm hearts who are grounded in love, I’ve also met a lot of bypassers. I’ve seen too many people with a bent for anger and manipulation — or with serious delusions — poo-poo the idea of conventional psychotherapy, as though emotional self-work weren’t the very core of spirituality itself.

And while we all have different reasons for pursuing the spiritual paths and accoutrements we do — the desire for certain lifestyle practices or aesthetics is not always rooted in insecurity and insincerity (as I’m sure you’ve likely discovered… because I’m sure you’ve likely discovered practices that really do speak to you) — I still just wanted to say kudos to you for acknowledging the underlying shame and rage that were driving your pursuit. And for doing the work to face it head-on, and heal it, and make amends with the people who were so instrumental on your path.