Experiencing the ocean through surfing offers many beautiful lessons that can apply to life on land. Practitioners of yoga often say that time spent “on the mat” has measurable benefits off the mat, and it’s no different with surfing.

Spiritual bypassing means using spiritual and religious concepts to hover above our own experience — never touching our real pain, real issues, and real needs for connection.

I have a theory that I’m working into a book that all of life is a pilgrimage. Every aspect of life is part of a sacred journey. If we do it right, all of life’s experiences serve to soften us. Grief is an essential part of this pilgrimage, because it is a common denominator.