On Masculinity, Relationships, and God
During my break from this newsletter, I've been sitting in as a guest on various podcasts, building my coaching business, and outlining my next book—a memoir that digs deep into the realms of masculinity, intimate relationships, and spirituality. These book themes have been the backdrop of my entire life, constantly tugging at my heart and mind. But they also are important topics for us all, I believe.
As I continue to outline and work on this next book, I wanted to share my early thoughts about these topics:
•The crisis faced by men in our country is undeniably real. The old-fashioned notion of manhood no longer fits the ever-evolving reality we find ourselves in. Coupled with the relentless grip of hyper-capitalism, this distorted version of masculinity has given birth to a sick society. It rewards destructive behavior, leaving a trail of harm in its wake. In this next book, I want to navigate this complex landscape, weaving together personal stories and travel experiences to shed light on this pressing issue.
•Within the realm of intimate relationships, we men are confused. We were raised on a mixture of stoicism, self-reliance, and arrogance as the formula for being a man. However, the delicate art of forming genuine connections wasn't really addressed. In this next book, I'll discuss my struggles in intimate relationships and reveal solutions I've learned.
•Finally, the subject of God. A former atheist and grumpy journalist, I have evolved to believe that we humans are wired for God. Across history, previous generations oriented themselves and discovered their values through faith in a higher power. But today, our fixation on scientific progress and technological advancement has undoubtedly improved our lives and well-being. But we've paid the price. Disconnected from a higher power, we find ourselves worshiping material possessions, idolizing those who achieve success, and falling prey to the allure of our own egos.
Furthermore, our relentless pursuit of scientific rationality has obscured the very existence of God, casting a shadow over the mystical aspects of our existence. We've drifted away from our core values, wreaking havoc on our planet. And now, with the advancements in AI, we face the dangerous possibility of self-destruction.
My relationship with God has always been a mishmash of intellectual and emotional confusion. I feel a strong connection with the divine one day, but doubts often creep in the next. This inner struggle has made it hard for me to commit to a single spiritual path.
I know I'm not alone in this struggle. We moderns are torn between our natural inclination for faith and the scientific worldview we embrace. Finding a balance is challenging.
Recently, I reread C.G. Jung's influential book, "Man in Search of His Soul." The influential depth psychiatrist explains how people who overcome psychological challenges often rediscover religion. This struck a chord, reminding me of my deep longing for healing and faith--and reifying my belief that they are intricately connected.
Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has greatly influenced how I see God and the world. I became a seeker as a way to understand and heal my past traumas. But I am not interested in easy answers or spiritual bypassing. I'm determined to find a delicate balance between science and spirituality. Rationality shouldn't prevent us from embracing faith. This intricate interplay is what will drive this next book. I believe you will relate to my challenges on this journey, as it reflects the complex predicaments we encounter daily at work, home, and on our private spiritual quests.
In other news, Memoir Deep Dive, my memoir writing class and community, is going strong. If you’re working on your own story of healing or transformation, visit my website and sign up. We meet on Wednesdays at 1 pm Central time.
Last, my own memoir, Into the Soul of the World: My Journey to Healing, is now available at bookstores and on Amazon. Here’s the official book description:
“This powerful memoir shares an adventure journalist’s story of a decade-long, round-the-world quest to overcome his drug addiction and to understand and heal from past traumas.
Suffering from PTSD and severe depression from past trauma, battling an addiction to overprescribed psychiatric medication, and at the rock bottom of his career, journalist Brad Wetzler had nowhere to go. So he set out on a journey to wander and hopefully find himself—and the world—again.
Into the Soul of the World is Wetzler’s thrilling, impactful, and heartrending memoir of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. An adventure journalist at heart, Wetzler mixes travelogue with empowering insights about his inner journey to better care for his own mental health. Journey with him as he travels across Israel and the West Bank, before moving on to India, a candle-lit cave on a mountaintop in the Himalayan foothills, and a life-changing encounter with a 100-year-old yogi.
Wetzler's writing is full of the poignant, amusing, and occasionally heart‑breaking situations that unfold when we finally decide to confront depression (or any mental health struggle) and declare ourselves ready to heal: How do we heal our past and thrive again? What does it mean to live a good life? How can we transform our suffering and serve others? His answer: live to tell the story and find the humility and courage to be the best human you can be.”