The longer version

Yearning for a Deeper Connection

The one word that captures the essence of myself and what I do professionally, is connection. This word conveys volumes as it touches many deep layers of the human experience of being alive. I invite you to take a moment of silence and contemplate what connection means to you. Hand on your heart, do you feel deeply connected to yourself, others and life in general?

To Flourish as a Human Being

I truly believe that connection of this sort is precisely what humans most long for. Consider it a master-key that empowers humans to open important doors and step into a truly flourishing life. Research shows that when you are connected to yourself, others and life in general, you experience your life as deeply meaningful and purposeful beyond mere self-centered survival. Connection softens the heart, allows you to focus on what truly matters, opens you toward life and enables you to feel alive and truly happy.

Disconnection breeds Problems

The other side of the coin is of course disconnection, which happens to be at the root of many modern-day problems. In fact, researchers talk about a looming meaning crisis as evermore people feel alienated from themselves, others, nature, society and life in general. Perhaps you feel it too as a kind of a distancing from something/someone deeply valuable to you. Many describe it as a deep-seated longing that has remained unanswered for too long, which therefore awakens a subtle yet profound existential sadness and anxiety. Connection is after all a fundamental human need, much like food and shelter.

Modern Life & the Loss of Meaning

Traditional sources of connection and meaning have eroded since we no longer live in communities close to our larger families and relatives. Nor do we turn to religion or traditions when in need of clarity and direction. It goes without saying that a post-modern, hyper-individualistic and global lifestyle has benefited us in many ways but the sense of disconnection that often comes along tends to bring a host of problems. Depression, anxiety, hopelessness, loneliness, sense of unworthiness and lack of belonging, relentless perfectionism and obsession with status, money and power are on the rise.

Have you Accepted Your Existential Responsibility?

We are no longer simply by birth being thrown into an entire world of meaning and connection. We cannot expect these values to automatically be handed to us. Rather, you are expected to singlehandedly assume total responsibility for the project of cultivating a meaningful life. Much understandably, many turn away from this existential responsibility since it seems difficult and intimidating, and so the sense of disconnection lingers on in the hearts and minds of many.

It’s not Your Fault – Life is Hard without Guidance

If you recognize yourself in any of this, rest assured that it’s not your fault. Fact of the matter is that few of us received were educated in the art and science of what it means to be a human; how to handle life’s inevitable ups-and-downs and wholeheartedly pursue true happiness and meaning. Schools prioritized subjects that dealt with the outer rather than the inner world and very few of us had access to wise mentors outside of the school environment. Most of us simply lacked support and guidance in existential matters.

Life gets evermore Complex, at an ever Faster Rate

I know what disconnection feels like; to be busy, stressed and so future-minded that you become out of tune with the present moment, no longer in touch with your feelings and needs, nor to a deeper purpose in life. In this state of mind life no longer serves the function of being a fascinating mystery that you have the privilege to experience. It is rather perceived as a problem that must be solved and fixed by constantly checking off your to-do-lists and pushing towards the next thing on your already full calendar. Let’s face it, we live in strange times; the pace of our lives only increases and the digital attention economy constantly distracts our minds and overloads us with irrelevant information.

Constantly Online & Chronically Busy

It’s easier than ever to become chronically busy and feel like you are supposed to be everywhere simultaneously (think FOMO). Somehow, you’re just supposed to continue doing whatever you’re doing, faster and evermore effectively without ever checking in with yourself and contemplating on who you are and where you actually want to be going. This way the ever-present mystery and wonder of the moments that together make up our lives become buried underneath all the constant comings-and-goings. I know the frustration and sense of meaningless this kind of a lifestyle brings about.

To leave Your Comfort Zone

I used to feel stuck in a quite hectic, predictable and shallow lifestyle consisting of work, party and studies. But my inner longing of a deeper connection inspired me to leave the comforts of my lifestyle in Sweden and travel extensively around the world for a good decade in my 20’s. I set out to find life experience and wisdom by exposing myself to other cultures and delving into their religions and philosophical schools. I spent countless hours in silent meditation at Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas and studied ancient wisdom traditions on various contemplative retreats in India and elsewhere. I also spent a lot of time in the serenity of amazing natural settings around the world where I felt deep oneness with my surroundings. Feeling connected to nature in this way left me in deep awe and opened doors towards a deeper sense of fulfillment. I also had the privilege of spending much time with various indigenous people; like the Sherpa peasants in the Himalayas and the Hamer tribe in Ethiopia. I noticed a clear pattern, truly happy people, regardless of how and where they lived, experienced a sense of deep connection in their lives.

Happiness Research

Upon returning back to Sweden, I enrolled to a fascinating (but highly demanding) 3-year university program that combined positive psychology and neuroscience to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of human wellbeing and meaningfulness and how people most optimally can move ahead to experience these states in their own lives. I realised that an entire scientific community placed much emphasis on connection as a central route to a life well lived. I received rigorous training in psychological coaching while being supervised by some of the most notable professors and psychologist in the field. The aim was to create a profession of highly-qualified coaches who clearly stand out among the numerous self-appointed coaches in the self-help industry; empowered with state-of-art skills in happiness research and the highest professional standards.

Summa Summarum

My own life experience turns out to be backed by science; the deeper your connection, the deeper your quality of life. The fact that it is a learnable skill is very hope-inspiring.

I hope this has awakened something valuable in you.

If you resonate with my message, feel a longing for deeper connection in your own life and want to learn evidence-based methods that foster precisely that, sign up for my newsletter!