My Seeking Journey (Ch.1-1)

Joy Vottus
2 days ago
3 min read

I was born in Taiwan and experienced a heightened sensitivity to sound from a young age, often hearing unexplained and sometimes unsettling noises. Concerned for my well-being, my parents sought help from psychic mediums—individuals who communicate with spirits, a common practice in our culture—hoping to ease my sensitivity and its impact on daily life. Despite their efforts, as I grew up, I remained an empath: deeply attuned to the emotions and energies of those around me, often sensing more than what was spoken or seen.

I lived what many would consider a “normal life” until my mid-30s. Growing up in a divorced family with limited financial means, I never imagined earning a Master of Education degree from the University of Sydney or immigrating to Australia in my late 20s. I built a family and held a stable, full time job at the university library. However, despite these accomplishments, I often felt that something was missing and asked myself, “Who am I? What am I here for?” My early spiritual beliefs were deeply influenced by my grandmother, who practiced a popular Taiwanese cultural tradition that blends Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. As a child, I became familiar with various traditional Chinese festivals and rituals and felt comfortable praying to deities at home altars or in temples for guidance and blessings. As I transitioned into my adult years and moved away from my birthplace, my focus shifted to further study, work, marriage, and managing family responsibilities in Australia. Despite my busy life, I often felt a sense of emptiness and wondered if there was more to life than earthly pursuits.

In my mid-30s, a colleague introduced me to Tibetan Buddhism, reigniting my spiritual journey and inspiring me to explore deeper spiritual practices. I learned about methods to raise vibrations, including chanting, fire and water offerings, the use of mantras, and yogic techniques to awaken Kundalini — a dormant spiritual energy at the base of the spine. Studying Buddha’s teachings revived my soul’s memories and inner knowing, sparking a deep desire for karma redemption and the pursuit of enlightenment — ultimately aiming to break free from the cycle of reincarnation (or rebirth).

However, the group I joined had a complicated system for “leveling up”, starting with chanting and requiring all initiations through a “guru” or “grandmaster”. I practiced these rituals diligently for a few years, feeling proud of my commitment, but I still felt stuck. As I observed myself and others closely, I noticed a stagnant energy within the group. Many had been practicing for decades, yet very few advanced to the next level. This left me feeling like time was running out, and I began to question whether this was the only path to spiritual advancement. Surely, there must be other ways to achieve the same goal. Everything changed when I met an energy healer from the same Tibetan Buddhism group. After having a session with her, I became fascinated by energy healing and started exploring various modalities online. This exploration led me to the “2012 Mayan Calendar Doomsday Prophecy”, which sparked much discussion about potential world changes and the shift from 3D to 5D consciousness — from a lower state of separation to a higher state of unity. Driven by curiosity, I spent countless hours seeking answers, but despite the wealth of information available, I found limited resources on practical energy work.

Feeling frustrated, I asked the Universe for guidance, seeking direction on my path. I promised that I would help others on their spiritual journeys in return. Shortly after, I discovered a workshop that redefined my spiritual path.

Excerpt from my book Transform Your Cosmic Self: A Comprehensive Guide from Awakening to Ascension — now available Here, in both text and audiobook formats.