What are you referring to by "at risk"? To me this sounds like there is only a certain probability of encountering oneself including undesired aspects of oneself on an inner journey, an "Avoid that street, the rest of the city is safe" kind of scenario?
But what else could one possibly find on an inner journey if not oneself? How would one even avoid it?
There are those people who wish to take up the spiritual life, yet are afraid of what they may uncover. For example, in the last ten years I learned that much of my suffering came from things buried and forgotten long ago. When those things rose to the surface it caused great havoc and grief. I know of others like myself, friends who have done all they can to avoid looking too deeply into themselves for this reason. They continue to suffer because of pushing away the experience.
Then there are those souls that have a certain existential angst about what they may find if they look too deeply within. I know of one young lady who began having serious panic attacks including blackouts and violent behavior because of this irrational, yet understandable fear.
What I personally found is that beyond self and non-self there is something, or rather nothing else. How can I describe it? People more talented and capable than me stumble with trying to tell about it. My personal belief here is that many people sense this on a deep level but don't know what to do with it.
I think further that there is no avoiding it, but it can be deferred. There are many people who will "refuse the call" as it were, but maybe all souls eventually must face it. I don't really know.
