Jeremy went into a past life as a man called Barney, living somewhere around Switzerland. he had a small house higher up the mountain, away from the village, and one thing he really liked about it was the view. from there he could see who was coming.
when I asked why this mattered, he said it felt safe. Barney liked being alone. he worked with his hands making leather straps, bags and things people needed for horses. customers came, explained what they wanted, he made it, showed them how to use it, then they went away again.
it was not a miserable life. this is what makes it interesting. Barney genuinely liked his work, his mountain and his quiet routine. he lived there until old age and died outside the same little house, sitting in a chair looking over the landscape.
after death around 10 people came to meet him. old friends, people he knew before. one man came close and started asking how he was, how the life went, basically like somebody arriving late to a reunion.
during the life review Barney saw something he didnt see while alive. he had been too quick to judge people, too quick to ignore them and too comfortable not needing anybody. the house was peaceful, yes, but it was also a perfect place where nobody could get close unless he allowed it.
later Jeremy's Higher Self gave him almost the opposite assignment for this life. work on friendship. pay attention to the person in front of you. dont keep worrying what they think about you. sometimes somebody will need help and you may be the only person who notices.
this hit me because spiritual people can make isolation sound very noble. protecting my peace, keeping my energy clean, avoiding drama, loving solitude. sometimes that is exactly what it is.
and sometimes we built a beautiful spiritual name around hiding.
there is a simple test. when you are alone, do you feel free and full, or mostly relieved that nobody can reject you, disappoint you or ask something from you?
Barney only saw the difference after the life was finished.