When we are planning a trip and starting a trip, our goal is often an optimized, if not ideal version of the trip we have chosen. We picture staying at the nice/cool/unique lodging that we have reserved. We might picture days of sitting on the beach with perfect temperatures and “boat” drinks. Another might picture standing by the mountain lake at the end of a challenging hike, absorbing the beauty of the alpine sky and the crispness of the cool oxygen poor air. At other times we imagine the joy of the company – long meaningful conversations; or the joy of solitude – time for reflection or immersing in a great book. The list of optimizations is endless and as varied as the number of people imagining their journeys.

And then there is the actual trip. Real life is filled with variations from excellence. The plane is delayed; the lodging isn’t quite as good as the advertising; and the weather is too hot/wet/cold/windy for the plan; your luggage never arrives; the tour operator can’t find your name on the list; and/or you suddenly realize that you don’t recognize anything around you and are LOST. This is officially now a misadventure.

Successful travelers know that a bit of misadventure is just part of the journey. It makes for the best stories. That knowledge better prepares them to do the things we all need to do when the misadventure offers itself: take a deep breath, stay present, acknowledge the reality of the new situation, and start making choices that likely will lead us back to the journey we seek. Sometimes, we remember our childhood instructions for this situation, and just “hug a tree” (wait for your someone who is not lost to find you).

But you read the title, so you know this is all just metaphor for our spiritual-religious-transcendent journey. Just like our bucket list travel ideas, our spiritual journey is also often optimized in our mind. We imagine the peace of being on the path, the fellowship of other pilgrims, the ecstasy of sacred practices, the joy of sharing with others, and the future of transcending to a variety of final or semi-final next levels.

And then there is the actual spiritual journey. Your god doesn’t seem to be listening. Your inner Buddha remains attached to worldly concerns. Your tribe has changed from when you were a child—or worse, your tribe has failed to change, and their message no longer seems relevant. Or your community seems just fine, but now you know they don’t accept you. Or the hard things just keep happening, and you can’t seem to find any joy. And you are LOST. This is officially now a spiritual misadventure.

Let’s see what we can learn from more experienced travelers than ourselves. A misadventure is part of the journey. It makes for the best stories. Take a deep breath. Stay present. Acknowledge that this is the current reality. Let’s break out the map of your spiritual journey and the compass that is your heart. Let’s figure out a path that is consistent with who you are and will begin to lead you back to where you belong.

Namaste.

“Jake Jacobson” LCSW is in practice in our South Denton office and specializes in spiritual-religious challenges that have become mental health challenges. He helps pilgrims who are “hugging a tree,” restoring their map and compass and finding the next step back to where they belong.