Dispassionate, yes. More a sangfroid than a no-feelings state. But yes, I get your point.

"Questions that only the individual can answer".

This is the answer to everything. Because we are, in the end, our main teacher.

"And our answer may waver, just when we thought all was settled".

"Yes" to that, too.

The question that helps me when this is happening is "What would I do if I didn't have any fear, if I didn't need any affirmation(about how much I worth) from others' behavior, and if I had no other expectation than to know my self to the core?".

And the journey goes on, Steve. : )