Many of us, as seekers and people on a path of growth, sooner or later decide to expand our personal geography.
You “outgrow” your previous place of residence, or perhaps you simply set off in search of new love or a bright career.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a permanent move or just a long journey, the principle is the same – you enter a new world. There are different people and different rules there.
If a move has happened, adaptation is necessary to quickly and effectively integrate into the new system and not become an outsider. Read the article for practices and principles of behavior that will help you with this.
In the article Spiritual Practices in a New Place of Residence, we talked about what to pay attention to when moving to another city or country, and how our body reacts to it.
In the comments, readers raised the issue of self-realization. So now we will touch on the topic of relationships – with yourself and with the local population.
When we first enter a foreign linguistic and social environment, we experience culture shock. This process is well-studied; it roughly consists of 3 stages.
1. Euphoria. We like everything: the food, the architecture, the infrastructure, even the local population.
2. Rejection. We dislike everything. Everything is perceived as foreign: the language, the food, the bureaucracy. The local population.
3. Adaptation. We start looking for compromises.
Example: At first, we eat cold gazpacho soup every day. After a week, we notice we miss borscht, but the cabbage at the local store isn’t the right kind, and the beets are already sold boiled. The smiling vendor can’t understand what you want from him, and his smile gradually turns into a pained grimace.
And we start looking for Russian stores, watching Russian TV, and communicating with Russian-speaking people. The sad thing is that the second phase, thanks to the Russian diaspora which exists in any country, can last forever.
What interests us in this process is that culture shock is nothing other than a conflict of two cultures at the level of your consciousness.
It depends only on you whether you will spend your whole life driving 20 km on Friday evenings to a Russian grocery store. Or whether you will adapt your native and familiar recipe to local products, thereby enriching your life with new flavors.
Study the local culture, language, and laws
To feel comfortable in a new environment, you need to study it. Together with your children. Forewarned is forearmed.
You can’t get by without knowing the language. Even if you are fluent in English, it’s not a given that someone on the street will be able to answer you in it. Or you will have to constantly pretend to be a tourist, which is absolutely not productive for grounding yourself.
It’s funny to end up in absurd situations – at first. But neither the police, nor customs, nor banks understand jokes. The matrix is a system with its own rules. So that this system doesn’t have excessive power over you, you need to know how it works, know your rights and obligations.
Communicate with the local population
Communicate with the native population as often as possible – even if you don’t have perfect command of the language. Be bolder: many “locals” don’t speak pure, literary language themselves.
Learn to express yourself so that you are understood. A wonderful training! So what if some not-so-advanced individuals turn up their noses. It’s okay, it’s also good for them to interact with such bright people.
Whether they want it or not, you are also part of society. By the way, check your own beliefs about other nations: maybe you still have clichés picked up from grandparents about Germans, Africans, Chukchi, Ukrainians, Russians lurking somewhere.
Let go of your demands
No one owes you anything. Your neighbors are not obligated to invite you for tea or bring you a freshly baked pie in return for your kindness.
Everyone has their own quirks. Passersby have the right to wear sandals with white socks and boots on bare feet. And they also have the right to raise their children the way they see fit, even if it goes against your beliefs.
Aren’t you tired of gossiping about the noisy Italian neighbors, or the Turks, or Muslim women in hijabs or burqas?
For the advanced: aren’t you tired of listening to others discuss and judge? Germans are too reserved compared to us, Israelis are too sociable and nosy? Try not to judge them, but to accept them as they are. Then communicating with them will become easier.
Remember your worth
Cherish and nurture your worth, even if you work in an unskilled job. Your self-esteem is being severely tested.
It’s no secret that foreigners (and even people from other cities) are often disliked, with people hissing after them: “They all came here.” But that’s no longer your problem, but the problem of those who think that way.
Give up dependence on others’ opinions. Career is far from the only indicator of self-realization. Every person deserves love and respect, and these are not empty slogans. The main thing is to be able to fill yourself with both love and respect.
Cultivate your inner strength, strengthen your spiritual core. Radiate inner freedom – with a clear, direct gaze, relaxed shoulders, and good posture. There are many meditations on this topic on the website.
For example, try Alena Starovoitova’s meditation “My Worth.”
Unveil your talents
Abroad, your diplomas, unfortunately, are not always recognized. Highly educated specialists often have to earn their bread by washing floors and mowing lawns.
In that case, you have a chance to show the world your hidden talents — the things that are written in small letters at the very end of your resume.
See also Inner Treasure Hunting. How to See Your Hidden Treasures
Open yourself to the new world, otherwise it won’t notice your individuality! Maybe this system doesn’t need an accountant with experience in the CIS, but a dance teacher?
Take responsibility for your own income
Speaking of money. It’s just great if you immediately found a well-paid job you love. If not, keep looking.
In many countries, the unemployed receive benefits that allow them to live; you won’t be left to starve. But a free ride is dangerous. It’s a kind of stigma and a swamp that pulls you in.
Don’t be afraid to earn your own money. Take responsibility for your own income. Why this is important, you will learn in a free course on the laws of money here.
See also: Hidden mechanisms blocking your money
Connect with like-minded people
When you move to live abroad, your environment naturally changes. At first, we rejoice at any Russian word. A common language creates a foundation for communication.
But take a conscious look at who you’ve been drawn to. Would you continue communicating with these people if you were living back home? Our environment is our mirror, especially those who annoy us. They show us our “red buttons.” That’s one side of it.
On the other hand, you have the right to choose your friends. By working on yourself, raising your vibrations, and getting to know this new world for you, expand your social circle.
Seek out interesting conversationalists who share your interests. Preferably with high vibrations. Don’t let language or prejudice about other cultures be an obstacle.
Praise the internet! Nowadays, you can find like-minded people on the pages of our website on Facebook and VKontakte.
And during open group meditations, a common high-vibration field is created that amplifies your intentions.
Furthermore, the awakening of people’s consciousness is happening all over the world. If you look around, you can find meeting places for people interested in spiritual development.
In the West, exhibitions and meetings on esoteric topics are very popular; you can listen to talks by well-known authors and connect with interesting people there. In Germany, one such annual exhibition is symbolically called “Without Borders.”
Remember, you are never alone. Even abroad. Let your new place of residence match your elevated vibrations and support you on your path of spiritual development. Moving is not only stress, but also joy and new opportunities.