The Battle Between Love and Fear: Struggling, Surrendering, and Staying on Purpose

In a world that constantly asks us to be logical, grounded, and realistic, choosing to believe in miracles can feel like an act of rebellion. Struggling to stay aligned with one’s deeper purpose isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign of being human. This is the raw and powerful truth that filmmaker and visionary Naré Mkrtchyan shared in a soul-baring conversation about the ongoing journey of navigating ego, fear, and the unwavering whisper of one’s higher self.

What unfolds in Naré’s story is not just a personal narrative. It’s a reflection of a collective experience—one where many of us wrestle daily with doubt, distraction, and the deeply ingrained belief that our dreams must be difficult to be worthwhile. Her path, like so many, is one of both incredible artistic success and quiet internal battles. And her vulnerability reminds us that even in moments of achievement, we can still feel lost, unfulfilled, or off-course.

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Podcast Summary

The Inner War: Love vs. Fear

"Every single day it’s a battle between love and fear," Naré admits. It’s not a metaphor. It’s a lived reality—where old patterns, conditioned beliefs, and intrusive thoughts whisper messages of inadequacy. "Why do you believe in miracles? You’re such a child. Be logical," the mind says. But a quieter voice calls back: "Go to the whisper."

This whisper, Naré explains, is the voice of the higher self. It’s not loud. It doesn’t shout over the noise of fear, comparison, or pressure. Instead, it invites stillness. And to hear it, we must actively work to silence the internal and external clamor through practices like meditation, conscious community, and inner reflection.

Being human means being in this tug-of-war. And far from being a weakness, acknowledging the struggle becomes a portal to greater strength.

Ego Dreams vs. Soul Desires

Naré’s creative path is a powerful example of how the ego and the soul can clash even when you're “living the dream.” A graduate of USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts, Naré reached a pivotal moment in her career when her film was shortlisted for an Oscar. It was a dream coming true—except it didn’t feel like fulfillment. It felt hollow.

"The dreams were fulfilling my ego," she reflects, "but not my true purpose."

As a filmmaker, Naré believed in the sacred power of storytelling. To her, filmmaking is shamanic—it transforms pain into healing, words into resonance, stories into bridges of connection. But Hollywood, with its glitz, power games, and empty validation, began to reveal its cracks. The glitter of award shows and industry parties lost their shine when contrasted with the soul’s yearning for truth and depth.

This realization wasn’t immediate. It came through darkness—what many would call a “dark night of the soul.” Her outer world seemed intact, but internally, everything was unraveling. And yet, as is often the case with spiritual awakenings, the breakdown became a breakthrough. “In that darkness,” she recalls, “an incredible light came to me. And I felt home.”

The Simplicity We Resist

Naré speaks of her purpose with disarming clarity: “To show humanity the beauty of their heart and their truth.” It’s a purpose that’s always lived within her, even as a child. But like many of us, she had to go through the noise of the world to reconnect with the simplicity of that truth.

And here’s the paradox: the truth is simple, but we resist it.

Because if it were really that easy—if miracles were real, if life could flow, if joy could guide us—then everything we were taught about struggle and sacrifice would unravel. And our egos, trained to cling to effort and achievement, wouldn’t know what to do.

But the soul? The soul already knows how to fly.

"When everything flows together, that's when magic happens,” Naré shares. “And things can only flow together if you're truly on your path."

This doesn’t mean the path is always easy. In fact, it often requires immense courage. To follow your purpose means choosing love over fear every single day. It means showing up even when the world doubts you. It means listening to the whisper when the world demands you listen to the noise.

Vulnerability as Strength

One of the most profound aspects of Naré’s journey is her honesty about the struggle.

“I’m still struggling. Every day. But I have to mention it because that’s part of the human experience.”

Too often, we only hear from people once they’ve made it through the storm. We read polished memoirs, curated Instagram captions, and carefully crafted TED Talks. Rarely do we hear the words, “I’m still in it.”

Naré’s willingness to be present in her vulnerability is a mirror for all of us. It reminds us that you don’t need to have everything figured out to be on your path. You don’t need to have healed completely to be a healer. You don’t need to be fearless to live with courage.

"You have to be brave to serve love," she says. And bravery doesn’t mean absence of fear—it means moving forward despite it.

The Purpose Isn’t About You

One of the most radical truths Naré offers is that our purpose isn’t actually about us.

“The purpose that is given to you has nothing to do with you,” she explains. “It’s a gift. It’s something that was given to you—and you have to serve it.”

In a culture that obsesses over personal branding and individual identity, this is a humbling and liberating perspective. Your purpose isn’t something your ego needs to polish. It’s not about being seen, being right, or being important. It’s about being in service to something higher.

And when we don't answer that call, it’s not just ourselves we disappoint—it’s each other. “By not doing it,” she says, “I’m doing a disservice not only to myself but also to you.”

Because when one person steps into their purpose, it gives others permission to do the same. And when we struggle together, grow together, and walk the path together, we create something far more powerful than individual success—we create collective awakening.

Becoming Stronger Together

Naré believes deeply in community. “We are each other’s mirrors,” she says. And that’s why initiatives like To Movement and The Purpose Lab resonate so deeply with her. They’re not just projects—they’re containers for transformation. For strengthening each other. For becoming the kind of people who keep going even when it’s hard.

Because when the world says, “Be logical,” we need someone who whispers back, “Go to the whisper.”

When the ego says, “Win the Oscar,” we need someone who reminds us, “Tell the story that matters.”

When fear says, “You’re not ready,” we need someone who believes in our courage.

The Courage to Keep Going

Ultimately, this isn’t a story about struggle or success—it’s a story about surrender. It’s about the daily choice to trust the path, to honor the mission, and to keep walking even when the terrain gets rough.

“I’m not there yet,” Naré says honestly. “But I know I’m going to get there. And right now, I’m doing the walk.”

In a world that measures value by achievements and milestones, let this be a reminder: doing the walk is enough.

If you’re walking through fear, ego, doubt, or darkness, but you’re still moving toward love, then you’re already on your path.

And in that, you are not alone.

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