Dear Jason,
Great questions; here are some thoughts:
"Indeed, they WILL see transformation as a PAINFUL process, like head-butting a wall."
- ... Sufferring in necessary... until one realizes that suffering is no longer necessary" ( a buddhist saying, I think)
Re: Endless wandering, and predestination -
First of all: Anything is possible. I don't think that "fixed" predestination (that pre-disposes with human choice) is the case.
Also, re: growth (for whereever someone is at) - for me it comes down to
"What is the lesson that I need to learn - right _now_?" - the answer will
vary for everyone, and paradoxically, cut through all the mental chatter - to get to the heart of what's important.. right now.
Good luck!
Jeremy