Why Answers To Life's Big Questions Won't Be Found In A Book with Shane Kelliher

#109 My awesome guest this week is Shane Kelliher. A self-confessed self-help junkie, over perfectionist and seeker.   Shane joined my Let It In Program during 2019 after many years of meditating, searching and still struggling for answers. I invited Shane on the podcast to share his journey, Enjoy!   Show Notes from Shane's journey: • Been a seeker since my 20s, I felt like I was missing something, there had to be more to life, I wasn't truly happy. • I became OBSESSED with self-help material, looking for that thing that was going to turn my life around. Only a lot later  I realised the whole time I was sub-consciously telling myself that 'I'm not good enough as I am', I need to learn more. I was completely addicted, one book to the next to the next, cramming it in. • Crippled by 'perfectionism' in all areas of life, everything needed to be impossibly perfect! - I later realised it didn't even come from love for the thing, but more from fear of judgement for getting something wrong and looking less than perfect. • Brother diagnosed to Stage 4 cancer in my early 30s - this is how I heard of you through your 180 podcasts. I became obsessed with health, trying to find answers to his condition. • Heard of ayahuasca, became obsessed with it (the calling) was this the 'silver bullet' I've been looking for? • My brother passed away 4.5 years after diagnosis - I was at an extremely low point if I died in the Jungle so be it. So almost immediately traveled to Peru, the Amazon for 5 Aya ceremonies, got absolutely DESTROYED - the most humbling experience of my life, but then rebuilt with such profound love. But I believe I wasn't ready for all the messages I received.... • Broke up with a long-term girlfriend - we had grown apart even further after aya. Hit another low-point. • Went all in on starting a digital marketing business, for months, got my first client, but there was so much inner-resistance, I hated it and I still was basing my all my SELF-WORTH on everything outside of myself (achievement, possessions, money, etc) • It wasn't until I abandoned the constant striving and the self-help consumption and 'let go' from sheer exhaustion that opportunities really started to come... • First one - Let it in academy... I've been meditating for years, but I decided to go in with a beginners mindset, starting with the basics and within a week I had experienced one of the most profound moments of my life - an almost out-of-body experience showing me how cruel I was being to myself, I burst into tears but was then met with bliss like I never experienced as I knew I'd found what I was looking for all these years - love and respect for myself (this has been the turning point of my life) • saw adverts about the retreat, I couldn't really responsibly afford it after all the time I had off starting a business but I just knew I had to go so I leaned in on that feeling "F##k it, I'm all in, I'll find a way". • The retreat was exactly where I needed to be, meeting LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE has been invaluable and made all the difference • Shout out to Petra, wouldn't be where I am without her guidance and yours. And Matt just completely caught me by surprise - so grateful. Main takeaways Get out of your head, it can lead you in the wrong direction, listen to your heart and lean into what you think it's saying even if it's scary and everyone tells you otherwise Be kind and loving to yourself - you are WAY better and more capable than you think you are. The more you truly learn to love yourself the more you'll start to back yourself in the outside world – the possibilities are limitless! I don't believe you'll find answers to life's big questions in a book! They come from within, journey inwards (get help if you need to) through meditation and trust, trust, trust True freedom comes from vulnerability - to lower your armor and have the courage to show your true self to the world and risk judgment, you may lose some people in your life in doing that, but you'll retain the ones that matter and attract a new tribe. Gratitude really is the shortcut to happiness (so easy to take this for granted - I know I did) but it takes daily effort WITH EMOTION You might get there alone eventually, but its much faster 'together' with like-minded people (Let it in academy and retreat) and with mentors playing a few steps ahead (Guy, Matt, Petra) It's a lifestyle, but now I'm really enjoying the journey (which is the gift, not the destination). I truly believe anything is possible with this work. Learn more about Guy: www.guylawrence.com.au Let It In Academy: www.letitin.com.au