Our illusions, confusions and lack of love creates a tangled ball of disturbed emotions that forms a nucleus—like a foreign body—in our soul.
The Pathwork Guide teaches that love cannot be forced, commanded or manufactured. It is not a duty, but a spontaneous expression of the soul that arises naturally when we are aligned with truth and reality. When love is absent, it signals inner confusion—specifically, distortions in how we perceive ourselves and the world.
Two core misunderstandings block our capacity to love. First, we misinterpret reality through illusions, which generate fear, hostility and separation. Second, we underestimate ourselves, leading to feelings of inferiority that distort how we see others. In this state, we either defend against others or submit in unhealthy ways—both of which inhibit genuine connection.
To compensate, we often create a “pseudo-goodness”—a thin layer of forced kindness that masks deeper fears and distortions. But this only distances us further from our true nature. Real love emerges only when we courageously face what is unloving within us, rather than denying or covering it up.
The path forward is one of honest self-examination, emotional awareness and a willingness to remain present with discomfort. As we dissolve these inner barriers, love begins to flow freely from our core—bringing clarity, vitality, peace and a deep sense of connection with ourselves, others and life itself.
Jill Loree is the founder of Phoenesse and a longtime student of the Pathwork teachings. She has studied the Pathwork Guide’s material since 1997 and completed four years of training to become a certified Pathwork Helper.
When she first encountered the Pathwork teachings, she described the experience as “walking through the doorway of an AA fourth step and finding the whole library.”
Through Phoenesse, Jill writes and teaches about personal transformation using the spiritual psychology found in the Pathwork lectures.
Her books present these teachings in clear, accessible language to help readers apply them in everyday life. Her work focuses on helping people move from the struggles of duality toward the peace of inner unity.
Raised in northern Wisconsin, Jill began her professional career in technical sales and marketing before discovering that her true calling lay in spiritual teaching and writing.
She lives in New York with her husband, Scott Wisler, who now works with her in sharing these teachings around the world.
