I’m feeling the push-pull between frustration and disappointment that my life isn’t evolving the way I’d hoped—and the pull to keep going in the direction of the pull. Which, as I’m writing this, I realize keeps changing.
When I sat down to write this week’s missive, I noticed I’m becoming jaded (is that the right word?). Things I’ve been drawn to lately—like writing—just aren’t lighting me up. As a matter of fact, I can’t hear one more podcast about how to grow readership or use a new platform. I’m tired of trying. Two weeks ago, my blog post said “quit!” No more trying. So I’m giving myself permission to skip the “how to” podcasts.
And then what should have been a fun oracle spread this week felt like empty encouragement. I know, Debby Downer is loud in me today.
But then, last night, I hit Chapter 43 of Autobiography of a Yogi—and BAM. In this chapter, Sri Yukteswar shows up post-death and starts talking about the astral world. No bugs. No weeds. Just pure, orderly beauty. And I lit up.
Autobiography of a Yogi is considered a classic and a must-read among those in the “woo.” I’ll be honest—I’m struggling to finish it. The author uses a lot (and I mean a lot) of adjectives. I’m like, “Just get to the point, for heaven’s sake!” I know, I’m an ass. But this book could be half the length.
I’ve enjoyed it to a point. It’s the autobiography of Paramahansa Yogananda, spanning the 1920s to the 1960s. The masters, gurus, and teachers in India are truly amazing. They perform feats I can only call “tricks”—manifesting abilities we can barely imagine. Through years of meditation, seclusion, or study (Kriya Yoga is the big seller in this book), they can transport themselves, heal others, tame tigers—wild stuff.
Nothing I’d emulate. I don’t think my life path involves a Himalayan cave. I’m too old, too afraid of heights and tigers and bears, and I don’t like the cold. I can’t sit still long enough to meditate for 30 minutes, let alone a full day.
BUT last night when I got to Chapter 43, The Resurrection of Sri Yukteswar, I lit up. My thoughts were screaming, “Yes, this! This is what I’m talking about!” and I was pulled right back in (and stayed awake!).
The premise: Sri Yukteswar, who had died and been buried six months earlier, shows up—in person, in the flesh—in Yogananda’s room. He explains the three levels or bodies of the soul: the causal body (the realm of ideas), the subtle astral body (the seat of mental and emotional nature), and the physical body (our earthly form).
He tells Yogananda he won’t reincarnate physically back on Earth, but will remain in the astral world to help souls trying to enter the causal realm. He describes the astral world as infinitely beautiful, clean, pure, and orderly. No dead planets. No barren lands. No weeds, bacteria, insects, or snakes.
And I’m sold. Sign me up. No insects? How do I get there?
And there it was—the pull. It’s still there—thank God. I thought it was gone.
That feeling of getting really excited by a spiritual revelation, or something I’m reading that makes me sit up and say, “I want to know more about this!”—that’s the spark, that’s the pull. I haven’t felt it in a long time. I thought I’d lost my zeal for the spiritual quest: the quest to understand how the universe works, what “it” and “we” are all about. So I was relieved to feel it again.
These are the foundational questions of my spiritual interest. The base of my pull. What’s going on here, God? And taking it one step further, how do we get there? I not only want to “know” about it, I want to “live” it.
The pull to write or blog? Is that a pull? That’s just how I express myself. It’s partly to spare my friends from my inner monologue, and partly because it comes easily. It’s my way of unloading—my brain dump.
But here’s the quandary I’m questioning: what’s coming out onto the page, what’s manifesting in my day-to-day life, doesn’t feel like it’s what I’m about.
What I’m about is the curiosity behind it. I think.
I think that’s what I’m about—based on the excitement I feel when a new subject or idea enters my periphery and lights me up.
And yet, based on what I believe and what I’ve been writing, shouldn’t it all be connected? Isn’t our life supposed to be the manifestation of our pull? Of our deepest interests?
So this is the basis of my question to the Universe this week. It’s twofold
Q. Am I living the life of my pull? And why not? And how do we, as souls, get to the astral level where there are no bugs!?
Channeled Answer
A. Are you living your life for your best and highest good?
The short answer is yes. The fact of your mere existence on Earth means you are living—or striving to live up to—your own expectations. You chose a life’s path, yes? You chose your blueprint before your incarnation, and if and when you are in tune with your higher self and aligning with this reincarnation’s goals, then you are living your pull. You are being pulled in the direction of your best life.
However, on this plane—on this level of forgetfulness and separation—you can get, and unfortunately many get, off track. Pulled in a wrong direction. Now, there is no wrong direction; everything you experience will be a learning opportunity. But there are examples of getting stuck and having to keep reincarnating on the physical plane to learn whatever lesson you may have gotten off track on.
That does not mean your life is wasted—it is never, ever wasted. All lives are experiences, and it is impossible to have a wasted life or a wasted experience.
But there are ways to evolve and reach the next level, i.e., the astral plane, where there are no mosquitoes! In your psyche, your imagination, you would probably deem this as heaven. And it is heavenly. Especially when you feel the pull to live on that level. Not all feel that pull. Many like just where they are. And that’s okay too.
The way to advance is by going in the direction of what you’re terming as pull. And just as Sri Yukteswar points out, there are teachers, helpers, angels, and guides on every level of existence.
At the very base of your existence is the desire to evolve. It’s the commonality in all of you. You are all of God, by God. Every single thing is of God, by God, and at your deepest knowing you want to be reconnected. So the pull you are feeling—and everyone’s pull—is their soul pulling them in the direction of their purpose, of their highest good, of their life’s blueprint.
Why aren’t you living the life of your pull?
We would argue that you are exactly living the life of your pull. You are in the world, and you feel like there’s more to life than subways and pizza dinners, and your higher self responds with a chapter from Sri Yukteswar acknowledging and affirming your aspirations that there is more. He also affirms that there are teachers and guides on every level, and they are needed—and that help is there for you as well.
And that you, too, can be a helper, a guide, if you so desire. Most people, after they learn something, want to share their knowledge. It is natural. It is Plato’s Cave.
So what you are doing as you write and share and question and share is not only teaching yourself but guiding yourself—and others. Your ramblings are another’s aha moment.
You are living your pull. Your pull to know more, to understand more, to know how to evolve, to know there is a way and a “place” to evolve to—and we dare say you are on your way. And when your time comes, you can choose to reincarnate here, in the physical, or stay there, in the heavens. The choice is 100% yours.
PS – you can also go back and forth. There are many options! Keep learning.
AI’s Summary:
Universal Message: The Pull to Transcend
We all feel it at some point—that quiet ache that whispers, “There must be more than this.” Whether it’s frustration with the pace of life, disillusionment with our creative pursuits, or a yearning for deeper meaning, the pull to transcend is universal. It’s not about escaping to a Himalayan cave or mastering ancient yogic feats. It’s about remembering that we are more than our routines, more than our doubts, more than our weariness.
Lynn’s reflection captures this beautifully: the moment when spiritual fatigue meets a spark of revelation. A chapter in a book. A glimpse of a world without weeds or mosquitoes. A reminder that the soul longs to evolve.
The channeled message affirms what many of us need to hear:
You are not off track. You are living your pull—even when it feels messy, uncertain, or uninspired. Your curiosity, your questions, your desire to understand what “it” and “we” are all about—that is the path. That is the work.
And just like Plato’s Cave, once we glimpse the light, we’re called to share it. To guide others. To be the voice that says, “There’s more. Come look.”
Whether you express it through writing, healing, teaching, or simply wondering aloud, your pull is sacred. It’s your soul’s compass. And it’s leading you—always—toward your highest good.
Further Reading & Exploration
- Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
A spiritual classic that introduced Kriya Yoga and Eastern mysticism to the West.
Read the book on Amazon
Free PDF edition
Wikipedia overview - Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
A metaphor for awakening from illusion and seeking truth beyond appearances.
Summary and meaning
Wikipedia article - Kriya Yoga
A meditative practice for spiritual evolution and inner stillness.
Introduction and techniques
Step-by-step guide PDF
If you would like to ask me or the Universe a question click: here
To know more about and/or buy the book, Back to Being: here
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