Yep, I knew I liked you haha. But it's coming from a biased place as reading this (and most of your Notes) feels like I'm receiving your messages on a HAM radio frequency I've tuned into to see who else out there is seeing what I'm seeing.
I do have many questions after reading this one though; mostly around trying to understand what exactly you're working with your current clients on and how you're approaching it. I might have to message you about that sometime as I'm insatiably curious why and how people don what they do, and I've got your Why, but the How and What I'm not confident on.
It makes me really happy to read that. Thanks Geoff.
I share your passion about understanding why people do what they do. I think I don't fully understood your question but I'm happy to talk about it. Feel free to send me a DM.
This again aligns perfectly with my own observations and work. The only difference for me is, that I broadened my archetypes work to the 64 Gene Keys.
Jung's 12 were not specific enough for me. That's why I take it even further into deep shadow work and DNA embodiment.
And over the past months, I even added Demons to my personal archetypes shadow work.
This again was a huge revelation - but I use this path currently only for myself and not with clients yet.
Why? Because for most clients, the 64 Gene Keys are already overwhelming and yes - as you said it - most look for quick fixes instead of deep explanations.
I'm still not sure, if there are other people out there who are ready for such deep dives - and if they can be reached here on Substack.
Currently I can only say: I honestly don't know.
I only have found peers and people like you, who have got it but who are creators/coaches and not clients. That's my current struggle.
I would Note that the 12 archetypes are NOT coming from Jung. He would be highly critical of it. He provided the groundwork of it. But as you said, it goes very deep and it's overwhelming for many. I see them as an accessible entry point to then dive deeper into it.
We both face the same challenge. I would like to talk more about dreamwork, but you can't put that into a neat framework... nor would one article suffice. I see my job in bridging the deep psychological work with a practical philosophy.
Thank you for writing this piece. I resonate with this message so much. Reading about the parallels in our journeys was like looking into a mirror and being reassured I’m not alone. And I had the same ick with IG which is how I ended up here. I’m not dancing for anyone, anymore other than myself. 💜
This really resonates with me. Thank you for this piece, I will take some points with me on my future development. These ideas are adding and binding together pieces of knowledge and insight that are already floating around in my head
The contrast between these two sentences made me stop. The image that came to mind when I read, "One is a lottery of guru blueprints and pre-packaged identities. It promises a shortcut to freedom but often delivers a longer road to burnout" was a gray building with grey suits. It's the life that we were sold we should want - the life, they said would lead to success.
When I read this, "The other game is a messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal journey. Its only rule is radical self-alignment" the image that comes to mind is a child full of so much life - pure joy and love for living. The life we once lived and then were told to be quite, raise your hand, wait your turn.
You got it absolutely right haha. Magician is very dominant for me. I wouldn't say "I'm a magician" because we are all of the archetypes. That's the beauty of it.
"To be honest, I don’t care about the colors, as long as it increases my revenue."
Oh fuck man that line hit me hard because I came to the same realization two years ago with my clients. I coach movement and strength training. Most people don't care for anything in that regard, they just want the outcomes. They want their backs, knees and shoulders to function again. I almost quit my coaching business when I realized that.
I somehow came to make peace with this. The people who do it out of love of the game don't come to me because they are the few idiots who figure it out (like myself) by trial and error. They don't need me. The people that come to me are fundamentally different to me and that's fine. I can still give them a part of what I love and help them change their lives.
But that's also the reason I came to substack. To share the philosophy of strength training. My clients don't care, but it changed my life in ways I would never have thought possible when I started.
It’s interesting to see you had a similar experience in a completely different field.
It helped me to understand who are the people that need me and that it’s my obligation to filter out the people who don’t.
As you said there are too many people who are just in love with the outcome. Many here want to have a business but they don’t want to be an entrepreneur (or writer).
"but they don’t want to be an entrepreneur (or writer)."
Truth my man.
It's funny to me how the filter works in both directions. I filter for people that only want outcomes, you seem to filter against these people. In the end, both seem to need our help.
I resonate with the tension you describe, especially the quiet drift between external success and internal alignment. It’s grounding to see someone articulate that gap without romanticizing it. The distinction between self-actualization and self-transcendence landed.
this one spoke to my soul. It's the reason why I haven't been able to post any content on IG since 2022... I hate how shallow most of these social platforms are and I'm only now beginning to understand It's ok to opt-out of the "algorithm".
I'll keep my business going while I build something meaning full in the background without FOMO of not building a "personal brand" or "going viral"
I resonate with this share, especially the part about Lost is Part of the Process, as I’m going through it right now! The struggle is real when the realizations are tough. Thanks for writing this, Philip!!
Deep shit. I think I have gone through a journey similar to yours. Cheers on making it through wiser and with a stronger sense of self. Contrary to your advice, I DID quit, but with a bit of a safety net set up. Fulfilling and confusing and fun work finding purpose in your vocation
I still have that frenzied sense of "try this, now try that, now try that", so the issues you're speaking to here are very much real. Substack is the only thing I've been doing consistently the whole time, which I think is going to be worth critically analyzing as I move forward. But I AM the type where, if I have no job, I will actually work much *harder* haha
I literally sighed with relief. I’m lost and nicheless, beginning to wonder how to square myself into the round hole. I have a lot of work to do, but I’m ok with that now. Thank you. And your Serapex site is work of art.
I like this. You are similar to me. The journey, the understanding. the depth. That you read the Time magazine article Arriana Huffington wrote, inc maslow's heirarchy of needs. Its true, working on something bigger than ourselves. Purpose. But there are shortcuts, signs and signals just not quick fixes which I've learnt along the way. I say this as a fellow traveller and someone also walking the path. Supporting each other, because everything is connected. Anyway I call the path, The Fractal Path because the pieces of our lives make up our journey, where we've come from and where we were born to go, where our soul wants to go. Thank you.
Yep, I knew I liked you haha. But it's coming from a biased place as reading this (and most of your Notes) feels like I'm receiving your messages on a HAM radio frequency I've tuned into to see who else out there is seeing what I'm seeing.
I do have many questions after reading this one though; mostly around trying to understand what exactly you're working with your current clients on and how you're approaching it. I might have to message you about that sometime as I'm insatiably curious why and how people don what they do, and I've got your Why, but the How and What I'm not confident on.
It makes me really happy to read that. Thanks Geoff.
I share your passion about understanding why people do what they do. I think I don't fully understood your question but I'm happy to talk about it. Feel free to send me a DM.
This again aligns perfectly with my own observations and work. The only difference for me is, that I broadened my archetypes work to the 64 Gene Keys.
Jung's 12 were not specific enough for me. That's why I take it even further into deep shadow work and DNA embodiment.
And over the past months, I even added Demons to my personal archetypes shadow work.
This again was a huge revelation - but I use this path currently only for myself and not with clients yet.
Why? Because for most clients, the 64 Gene Keys are already overwhelming and yes - as you said it - most look for quick fixes instead of deep explanations.
I'm still not sure, if there are other people out there who are ready for such deep dives - and if they can be reached here on Substack.
Currently I can only say: I honestly don't know.
I only have found peers and people like you, who have got it but who are creators/coaches and not clients. That's my current struggle.
Thanks, your approach is really excellent.
I would Note that the 12 archetypes are NOT coming from Jung. He would be highly critical of it. He provided the groundwork of it. But as you said, it goes very deep and it's overwhelming for many. I see them as an accessible entry point to then dive deeper into it.
We both face the same challenge. I would like to talk more about dreamwork, but you can't put that into a neat framework... nor would one article suffice. I see my job in bridging the deep psychological work with a practical philosophy.
A raw, vulnerable, beautiful and insightful read, Philipp!
This read like both a confession and a manifesto, and that made it really profound.
A rare mix of honesty, depth, and clarity, which is exactly what this space needs.
I have come to a similar realization in my journey.
And I loved how you highlighted authenticity as refusing what doesn’t align.
Great piece of writing!
Thanks Nik, I really appreciate that.
You could really see it as a manifesto. I try to write most of my articles like this.
You're welcome. The praise is well deserved.
And yes, your last few articles did stand out as manifestos.
Thank you for writing this piece. I resonate with this message so much. Reading about the parallels in our journeys was like looking into a mirror and being reassured I’m not alone. And I had the same ick with IG which is how I ended up here. I’m not dancing for anyone, anymore other than myself. 💜
I’m glad people still find this piece. Let’s open the dance here on Substack. The dance of life.
This really resonates with me. Thank you for this piece, I will take some points with me on my future development. These ideas are adding and binding together pieces of knowledge and insight that are already floating around in my head
Thanks Julian, I'm looking forward what comes out of it.
The guru game sells tactics. What you’re pointing to is soul-work. Big difference
The contrast between these two sentences made me stop. The image that came to mind when I read, "One is a lottery of guru blueprints and pre-packaged identities. It promises a shortcut to freedom but often delivers a longer road to burnout" was a gray building with grey suits. It's the life that we were sold we should want - the life, they said would lead to success.
When I read this, "The other game is a messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal journey. Its only rule is radical self-alignment" the image that comes to mind is a child full of so much life - pure joy and love for living. The life we once lived and then were told to be quite, raise your hand, wait your turn.
But what is life if we can't live it.
The ultimate goal is to live our OWN life.
Thank you for this article. I will surely follow your work, and explore what you’ve been writing until now.
Are you also a magician?
Thanks Mara.
You got it absolutely right haha. Magician is very dominant for me. I wouldn't say "I'm a magician" because we are all of the archetypes. That's the beauty of it.
You have the benevolence and open heartedness and the struggle of a magician (ok predominantly ☺️). Your soul shines in your writing, it has resonance
"To be honest, I don’t care about the colors, as long as it increases my revenue."
Oh fuck man that line hit me hard because I came to the same realization two years ago with my clients. I coach movement and strength training. Most people don't care for anything in that regard, they just want the outcomes. They want their backs, knees and shoulders to function again. I almost quit my coaching business when I realized that.
I somehow came to make peace with this. The people who do it out of love of the game don't come to me because they are the few idiots who figure it out (like myself) by trial and error. They don't need me. The people that come to me are fundamentally different to me and that's fine. I can still give them a part of what I love and help them change their lives.
But that's also the reason I came to substack. To share the philosophy of strength training. My clients don't care, but it changed my life in ways I would never have thought possible when I started.
It’s interesting to see you had a similar experience in a completely different field.
It helped me to understand who are the people that need me and that it’s my obligation to filter out the people who don’t.
As you said there are too many people who are just in love with the outcome. Many here want to have a business but they don’t want to be an entrepreneur (or writer).
"but they don’t want to be an entrepreneur (or writer)."
Truth my man.
It's funny to me how the filter works in both directions. I filter for people that only want outcomes, you seem to filter against these people. In the end, both seem to need our help.
Or do you think different about this?
I resonate with the tension you describe, especially the quiet drift between external success and internal alignment. It’s grounding to see someone articulate that gap without romanticizing it. The distinction between self-actualization and self-transcendence landed.
Thanks Zafar, I’m glad people still read this post.
this one spoke to my soul. It's the reason why I haven't been able to post any content on IG since 2022... I hate how shallow most of these social platforms are and I'm only now beginning to understand It's ok to opt-out of the "algorithm".
I'll keep my business going while I build something meaning full in the background without FOMO of not building a "personal brand" or "going viral"
I tried to revive an old IG account a couple of years back. I just couldn’t do it. I can’t be authentic AND on IG.
Wow, I am so impressed with this article. And so very grateful it came through you so you could share with us. Thank you.
Thanks Kari :)
I resonate with this share, especially the part about Lost is Part of the Process, as I’m going through it right now! The struggle is real when the realizations are tough. Thanks for writing this, Philip!!
You're not alone this journey Anjali :)
Deep shit. I think I have gone through a journey similar to yours. Cheers on making it through wiser and with a stronger sense of self. Contrary to your advice, I DID quit, but with a bit of a safety net set up. Fulfilling and confusing and fun work finding purpose in your vocation
I'm glad to hear Eric.
I probably should have added that for some people quitting is the right choice. It can give you a lot of drive if you know how to handle it.
I still have that frenzied sense of "try this, now try that, now try that", so the issues you're speaking to here are very much real. Substack is the only thing I've been doing consistently the whole time, which I think is going to be worth critically analyzing as I move forward. But I AM the type where, if I have no job, I will actually work much *harder* haha
A great sign you're in the right place. Happy to have you here.
I literally sighed with relief. I’m lost and nicheless, beginning to wonder how to square myself into the round hole. I have a lot of work to do, but I’m ok with that now. Thank you. And your Serapex site is work of art.
Thank you so much Debra. It really fills my heart when people appreciate all the details of my work. I have a knack for design.
From what you said about squaring yourself into a round hole, this article might give you some clarity: https://www.lab.serapex.com/p/your-generalist-nature-is-killing
I like this. You are similar to me. The journey, the understanding. the depth. That you read the Time magazine article Arriana Huffington wrote, inc maslow's heirarchy of needs. Its true, working on something bigger than ourselves. Purpose. But there are shortcuts, signs and signals just not quick fixes which I've learnt along the way. I say this as a fellow traveller and someone also walking the path. Supporting each other, because everything is connected. Anyway I call the path, The Fractal Path because the pieces of our lives make up our journey, where we've come from and where we were born to go, where our soul wants to go. Thank you.
Glad to hear that Carolyn.
Fractal Path is a great word for it. What is the Time magazine article Arriana Huffington wrote?
It's this one: https://time.com/7308119/the-connection-between-spirituality-and-mental-health/
Actually, The Fractal Path is my soul led portal too. The fractal path, soul path, the universe path, they are all one and uniquely your path.