As you put one soulful foot in front of the other each day, in your journey toward enlightenment, you’ll see the world around you more clearly for the essential dream that it is. You’ll also notice more poignantly your fellow travelers and how they’re participating in this dream we call reality.

While picking out those who walk a path similar to your own will become easier and easier, it’s important to remember, not only that you will never be perfect at gauging where a fellow soul is in their own walk, but that you can never know where that same soul will be in that walk tomorrow. You can only know the disposition of your own walk, and even that knowledge is tenuous and distracting from what really matters when you focus too intently on it. Ultimately, none of that ever did or ever will matter. What matters is only, as ever, your impetus forward.

Another important reminder, be kind and compassionate to your fellow souls. Remember, all semblances of separation between you, all illusions that there can be anyone truly “other” are mirages created by our reality. We are all one. Still, as you walk your path to enlightenment, your fellow souls who remain wrapped up in this world and wracked with the emotions they believe it casts on them will become more obvious to you. Their problems will begin to seem silly as the universal solution (beginning and walking ceaselessly on the path toward enlightenment) has become so obvious to you.

In these moments, remember to be kind and compassionate to your fellow souls. Speak the truth to them, as truths about all situations now flow effortlessly through you from the greater wisdom of our Universe. Be prepared that they will likely argue against these obvious truths you suggest to them. Don’t scold them for it. Wrap them in an embrace of love, the one afforded to you by that same Universal ocean of loving creation. Remember, your privilege of swimming in this ocean every day is one to which your fellow soul may not have woken. Remember yourself how that felt, and instead of arguing with your fellow soul, channel and magnify that love to them in a way they can feel. This is your duty and you know it, so don’t let frustration allow you to forget it.

And if you do slip up and find yourself berating a fellow soul for their “failure,” in your Earthly eyes, to be committed to personal growth, first check yourself, but then remember to forgive yourself too. Remember to fully accept your own shortcomings. Remember to rejoice every time you’re reminded of them and cherish the opportunity to work on them. Walking soulfully forward doesn’t mean leaving any of your fellow souls behind, and finding yourself further “back” than you thought is just another reason to redouble your passion for moving forward. Forgive others so they may forgive you, and forgive yourself as you forgive others. Forgiveness is unconditional love, and unconditional love is where we all came from.

Finally, and importantly, don’t fall into the trap of pitying “others.” Pity is not a blameless or innocent act. Pity always involves seeing a fellow soul as “other.” Pity always involves judgement. If you find yourself pitying someone who, as you see them, has not advanced as far in their spirit’s journey as you, check yourself. In order to pity them, you must be seeing them as other and judging them. Neither of these actions are rightfully afforded to you. Turn inward and try to realize why you’re devolving to pity, which is a mild form of aggression. Rejoice in your chance to learn something about yourself, and keep moving forward.