Many excellent points and observations. I'll be leaving this open in a browser tab as I sense I may be able to work it into an essay that's been percolating in my mind for a few weeks. The essay will be about what looking within means and what it doesn't mean / how people misunderstand the advice to look within as an absolute that precludes also examining input from the outside world, or as I type this comment I now see the potential dot connection with your piece, ignoring that relationships require looking outside too.