The heart of the matter: You should never belong fully to something that is outside yourself. It is very important to find a balance in your belonging. You should never belong totally to any cause or system. People frequently need to belong to an external system because they are afraid to belong to their own lives. If your soul is awakened, then you realize that this is the house of your real belonging. Your longing is safe there.
The essence of true belonging lies in not giving oneself entirely to external causes or systems. Striking a balance is crucial; an overcommitment to outside affiliations can stem from a fear of engaging with our own lives. Instead of losing ourselves in these external attachments, we should learn to nurture our own identities and experiences.
John O'Donohue emphasizes that when we awaken our souls, we discover that our true home is within ourselves. In this space, our deepest longings and desires feel secure and accepted. This inner belonging allows us to engage more authentically with the world while still retaining a sense of personal identity and purpose.
