Podcast 1289: Spiritually Homeless: Finding Our Way Beyond Religion by Kris Girrell

In this powerful episode ofInside Personal Growth, Greg Voisen explores the landscape of the "spiritual but not religious" with Kris to unpack his latest book, Spiritually Homeless. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve let go of one trapeze bar but haven't yet reached the next, this conversation is for you.

The Evolution Beyond "Black and White"

Why do so many people find themselves drifting away from traditional pews? According to Kris Girrell, it’s often because our natural human development forces us out of dualistic thinking.

• ✦The Religion of Childhood: Built on binaries—Good vs. Evil, Us vs. Them, Heaven vs. Hell.
• ✦The Reality of Adulthood: As we age, we encounter "multiplicity." Life becomes a series of grays, complex questions, and nuanced experiences that simple platitudes can no longer answer.

When an institution insists on "command and control" through fixed doctrine, the maturing soul often feels forced to leave in order to keep growing.

"Most contemporary religions are still stuck in a sense of dualism... But as life gets more complex, the questions we ask get more complex. We need an emergence of the soul, not just an adherence to the rules." — Kris Girrell,

The "Purifying Fire" of the Dark Night

The transition from religious certainty to spiritual curiosity is rarely easy. In Spiritually Homeless, Kris describes the Dark Night of the Soul not as a punishment, but as a necessary purification. It is the process of burning away:

• ✦Inherited Beliefs: The ideas we were told to believe but never truly experienced for ourselves.
• ✦The Ego-Self: The "little self" that needs to be right, certain, or superior to others.
• ✦The Need for Answers: Shifting from a person who knows everything to a person who wonders about everything.

Finding Your Way Home

If you find yourself in this "homeless" state, Kris suggests that the goal isn't necessarily to find a new building to sit in, but to find a new way of being:

• ✦Embrace "Unknowing": Practice being comfortable without a label for every experience. Awe and wonder are your most vital spiritual tools.
• ✦Trust Your Gut over Your Head: Learn to distinguish between the ego’s chatter and the soul’s resonance.
• ✦Seek New Community: You aren't alone. As Kris Girrell notes on LinkedIn, there is a massive tribe of seekers—"another group of blokes on the bus"—who are finding connection through shared curiosity rather than shared dogma.

Deepen Your Journey

Ready to explore the space between religion and true spiritual emergence?

• ✦Grab the Book: Spiritually Homeless
• ✦Explore the Work: KrisGirrell.com
• ✦Join the Conversation: Connect with Kris on LinkedIn

You may also refer to the transcripts below for the full transcription (not edited) of the interview.