Seeking real
spirituality
DANIELLE LaPORTE is an internationally
recognised spiritual teacher, author and
self-professed truth seeker. She chats to
DANAE DIMITROPOULOU about spirituality,
her latest book and what it’s like to be
part of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100.
When did you first find the spiritual path?
I think we’re all on a spiritual path, but not all
of us know it.You've said that in your early years,
spirituality was just another thing on your
to-do list. What’s the difference between
sincere spiritual aspiration and the human
compulsion to improve?
Well, here’s the question to ask yourself:
is everything you’re doing to be well and
liberated really helping you to be well and
liberated? Because if liberation is a chore, then
you aren’t really free, are you?
You can’t seek approval on your way to
sovereignty. Freedom is not something you need
to earn. Joy does not come from a checklist.
Underneath so much of our self-helping can be
a lot of self-loathing. Often, we’re stuck in a self-
help Groundhog Day. 'I’m not good enough yet,
but I’ll get better. I’m getting better at bettering
myself. Am I better yet?' And repeat.Throughout the ages, countless sages and
mystics have concurred that our ultimate
goal is to achieve enlightenment and
liberation. What are your thoughts on this?
Well, enlightenment and liberation are very,
very personal pursuits – and we’ve got to stop
laying ‘enlightenment judgements’ on each
other. But I’m down with the idea that freedom
is the whole point of spiritual questing:
freedom from fear, from restrictive ideologies,
from illusion, from trying to please everyone
around you, including your version of God.102 | AUSTRALIAN NATURAL HEALTH naturalhealthmag.com.au
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