When we try to support someone we care about, how can we tell if we’re truly helping—or just projecting our own fears onto them?
In this Soul Snack, Gary Zukav and Linda Francis examine the subtle yet significant difference between supporting others from love versus projecting our own unacknowledged pain. He shares why spiritual partnerships require self-awareness and humility, and how even well-intentioned insights can be laced with fear if we haven’t looked within first.
Gary offers a deeper look at how emotional reactions often point to the parts of ourselves we most want to avoid. When something someone says—or even the way they are—triggers us, it’s an opportunity to notice what’s unresolved within. Using personal stories and reflections, he illustrates how recognizing these hidden parts of ourselves can transform judgment into compassion and distance into connection.
The solution? Become aware of the frightened parts of your personality that may be influencing your perspective.
By turning inward before offering feedback to others, you begin to respond from love instead of react from fear—and that shift changes everything.
Please do not take anything that Gary or Linda share as true just because they say it. If it resonates with you, experiment with it in your life. If it doesn’t, let it go.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
- (00:36) — How projecting your fears can disguise itself as support
- (01:22) — Why your emotional reaction might reveal more about you than the other person
- (02:18) — The power of pausing before responding in spiritual partnerships
- (03:10) — A personal story: how a strong judgment unveiled Gary’s own hidden beliefs
- (04:07) – Linda shares her experience of projecting a strong judgment on a friend and how that created distance between them
- (05:00) — How recognizing your projections leads to healing and reconnection
Embrace the Soul Step Challenge:
Think of a recent moment when you gave feedback or advice to someone. Were you truly offering support—or were you hoping they’d behave in a way that made you feel better? This week, pause before reacting. Ask yourself: Am I seeing clearly, or am I projecting something I haven’t yet healed? Be willing to explore what’s underneath your reaction. Let compassion guide you back to love—first for yourself, then for others.
Are you creating with love or fear in your life? Take this self-assessment today to find out.