Once I allowed my authentic self to exist in this area of my life, the pain I had carried in my neck and upper left shoulder for years just stopped.  I no longer sought the validation of others regarding my spiritual journey.  I gave myself permission to free myself, thus to be myself.

I liken my personal experience to placing a band-aid over a gaping wound, you can cover it up thus limiting the amount of attention it receives but underneath that band-aid is a festering wound that is infecting your body.  Eventually you will have to remove the superficial band-aid and address those issues and feelings deep within.