I am just throwing this out there for anyone who feels moved to weigh in on this subject.

Is letting go of attachments a part of the hero's journey? Or have I misidentified the bigger picture of what has been happening in my life for the past four years or so. Because I have been in a state of surrender and openness (to the Universe/God/Spirit) to the best of my ability for many years now, and during this time, in order to survive, I have had to sell my house, sell my possessions, cope with the stigma of unemployment, cashed out all my retirement savings plans, taken loans against my life insurance policies, maxed out my credit cards, sold off my investments, moved three thousand miles to a new country with nothing but the suitcases I could carry -- and still, my material life appears to be at a standstill. All the new ventures I have pursued have proven unfruitful thus far. And through the process, I have recently lost my connection to my spirit guides -- something that was vitally important in keeping my composure through the worst of this transition. Anyway, as dire as things still appear to be, I have for the most part remained unusually calm, and maintained an inner knowingness that things are going to work out -- and I still haven't lost that faith -- but what is really going on here? Have I been learning an extreme lesson about giving up attachments to the material plane, and to the spirit guides who appeared on the scene about eight years ago? Or have I missed the picture completely? I know I'm not crazy. I know I haven't turned away from opportunities. I know in my heart I have been guided every step of the way. But enough is enough already. Insight anyone? How long can such a phase last? What can I do to be true to my inner nature and at the same time create income for myself and my family? I have been guided to follow my heart, and to face my fears, and for the most part, I believe I have been doing that. I pray and meditate regularly. I imagine my new life as if it has already happened. I am focused on being of sevice to others. So why is this transition to a new life taking so long -- and why is it so filled with challenge?

For forty-three years I was completely unsuspecting of the existence of the "dark force" and of the ability this energy has to interract and influence physical beings in less than loving ways, most often surreptitiously. This naivite nearly cost me serious injury  back in 2004.