The One Trip You Need To Take Before You Die

Journey To The Center of Yourself

Author

Jerome Chandler
November 06, 2025

"The only place where modern man does not like to visit.... is himself. He cannot hear the silence, he does not want to hear the voice of conscience. But without knowing yourself you can not know God. Modern man lives in a shadowy world of TV, the media, the internet, but the greatest reality in the world is the human soul. Inside we can open up the kingdom of heaven, in our heart God wants to be born!"

-Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov)

The “Cult of Hustle” sends you chasing success. “Hollow Wellness” tells you to “find yourself” through pleasure and travel. But the greatest journey you’ll ever take isn’t external — it’s the inward pilgrimage where God meets the soul.

Scripture invites the inward journey

Luke 17:21 — “The kingdom of God is within you.”
The modern world pushes us outward — to achieve, to prove, to perform. Christ calls us inward — to return to the heart, where heaven begins.

The wisdom of the saints and elders

As Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov) wrote:

“The only place where modern man does not like to visit is himself. He cannot hear the silence, he does not want to hear the voice of conscience. But without knowing yourself you cannot know God. Modern man lives in a shadowy world of TV, the media, the internet, but the greatest reality in the world is the human soul. Inside we can open up the kingdom of heaven; in our heart God wants to be born.”

The saints called this inner journey hesychia — the stillness where prayer purifies the heart and reveals divine light.

Science echoes this ancient truth

Studies in neuroscience and mindfulness show that quiet reflection decreases anxiety, improves empathy, and strengthens focus. But beyond calm, the practice of silence opens what psychologists call metacognition — the ability to see oneself clearly. The saints would call that repentance and illumination.

How to begin your inner pilgrimage

  • Sit quietly for five minutes each morning — no distractions, no goals.

  • When thoughts rise, pray gently: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”

  • Journal one insight or emotion that surfaces — this is sacred self-awareness.

Why this matters for professionals

The “Cult of Hustle” glorifies movement. “Hollow Wellness” glorifies comfort. Blue Church Living calls you to stillness — to face yourself, so you can meet God. The soul’s journey inward is not escape; it’s arrival.

You don’t need to travel the world to find heaven. You need only return home — to the quiet center where God already dwells.