SEVEN STEPS OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Some have suggested that the spiritual journey is not easy and it takes a lot of work. I can't argue that one. I can say the prerequisite to that is the desire to do it. Without that, you can't get to first base.
Some have suggested that choosing the spiritual path means that you have to be willing to make changes. Perhaps I would add that you must be willing to be changed.
Looking at the 12 Steps of AA I can see that it IS a spiritual path if done thoroughly and willingly and if you truly work the program, you will be changed. If one is Catholic and follows a "rule" or as a lay person uses similar disciplines and is dedicated and sincere and willing, they will be changed. Some other religious or spiritual persons arrive there by other disciplines or other means. There are a number of books out there, ideas, disciplines, and much more or you can put together one of your own. There are many modes of transportation to get you there. The key is desire, willingness, and follow through.
So it seems that:
1. You must decide that your life could be better or that there is something more to be experienced or had. Or you must decide that you need to go deeper with understanding Life or God or Purpose and to experience more in terms of spiritual awakening or something similar.
2. You must be willing to be changed or even desire to be changed in the process. Perhaps as a seeker you have reached a point where what has been has not worked or been satisfactory and you realize that if you keep on doing the same old things you will be getting the same results. Perhaps some major challenge or tragedy or event has occurred that signaled a "wake up" call. Or perhaps there is just a call deep within that seems to beckon you forward.
3. You must desire with intent and determination to pursue some course of action that will lead you step by step in a spiral fashion closer to their goal. Words without action is talking the talk and walking the talk. You don't move forward or evolve spiritually by going in a straight line. You do it in a circular fashion re-visiting, re-doing, and expanding upon each thing you do or have done in the steps. You are always expanding and changing or you stay right where you are. It is always your choice.
4. You must understand that no matter what you attempt your results will be limited or you will miss the spiritual component or you will be self defeating in some cases unless you relinquish your little ego self to that Higher Power whatever you may call It or however you may understand It. I think this is what Jesus meant about building your "house" on sand or building it on solid rock. You can build that house on sand that is try to do this without your Higher Power without Love and you will eventually fail. It will be all about YOU and the spiritual path, while certainly is about you, is more about your soul, your true being rather than the ego you that you have come to know as your self. That ego self you have constructed vies for the jockeying position against your soul which is your spiritual self.
We are a part of God as a drop of water is a part of the ocean. Soul knows that. Ego self sees the other drops as competition thinking that it can become the full ocean. The truth is it takes all drops to make the ocean and we are one in Higher Power/Great Mystery as the drops in the ocean are one in the Great Ocean. We have the same properties as the Ocean. Upon realizing that ego need not vie against anything and gladly relinquishes the jockeying position to soul, the true self.
5. You do not have to be ruled by your past deeds, efforts, and beliefs nor do you need to allow them to rule you nor allow them to fashion your newly chosen life path. Jesus also said you cannot put new wine in old wine skins. You can carry the skills and the lessons forward and desire that they be used to help reach your goal.
6. You must never think that you are finished for even if you should reach a point where your character has been tried in the fire and has made super human strides, there is always more to shed, more to discover, more to gain before your life is over.
7. What we focus on and what we believe is possible is what we draw into our lives. That idea is another whole essay, book, or chapter in itself. Suffice it to say, that if you see yourself becoming a more spiritual person and you keep your eyes focused on that rather than what appears to be you can relax, trust, believe, desire, and keep on keeping on. It is worth the effort and the wait I am sure. I have had glimpses of that and it spurs me on.
Some have suggested that choosing the spiritual path means that you have to be willing to make changes. Perhaps I would add that you must be willing to be changed.
Looking at the 12 Steps of AA I can see that it IS a spiritual path if done thoroughly and willingly and if you truly work the program, you will be changed. If one is Catholic and follows a "rule" or as a lay person uses similar disciplines and is dedicated and sincere and willing, they will be changed. Some other religious or spiritual persons arrive there by other disciplines or other means. There are a number of books out there, ideas, disciplines, and much more or you can put together one of your own. There are many modes of transportation to get you there. The key is desire, willingness, and follow through.
So it seems that:
1. You must decide that your life could be better or that there is something more to be experienced or had. Or you must decide that you need to go deeper with understanding Life or God or Purpose and to experience more in terms of spiritual awakening or something similar.
2. You must be willing to be changed or even desire to be changed in the process. Perhaps as a seeker you have reached a point where what has been has not worked or been satisfactory and you realize that if you keep on doing the same old things you will be getting the same results. Perhaps some major challenge or tragedy or event has occurred that signaled a "wake up" call. Or perhaps there is just a call deep within that seems to beckon you forward.
3. You must desire with intent and determination to pursue some course of action that will lead you step by step in a spiral fashion closer to their goal. Words without action is talking the talk and walking the talk. You don't move forward or evolve spiritually by going in a straight line. You do it in a circular fashion re-visiting, re-doing, and expanding upon each thing you do or have done in the steps. You are always expanding and changing or you stay right where you are. It is always your choice.
4. You must understand that no matter what you attempt your results will be limited or you will miss the spiritual component or you will be self defeating in some cases unless you relinquish your little ego self to that Higher Power whatever you may call It or however you may understand It. I think this is what Jesus meant about building your "house" on sand or building it on solid rock. You can build that house on sand that is try to do this without your Higher Power without Love and you will eventually fail. It will be all about YOU and the spiritual path, while certainly is about you, is more about your soul, your true being rather than the ego you that you have come to know as your self. That ego self you have constructed vies for the jockeying position against your soul which is your spiritual self.
We are a part of God as a drop of water is a part of the ocean. Soul knows that. Ego self sees the other drops as competition thinking that it can become the full ocean. The truth is it takes all drops to make the ocean and we are one in Higher Power/Great Mystery as the drops in the ocean are one in the Great Ocean. We have the same properties as the Ocean. Upon realizing that ego need not vie against anything and gladly relinquishes the jockeying position to soul, the true self.
5. You do not have to be ruled by your past deeds, efforts, and beliefs nor do you need to allow them to rule you nor allow them to fashion your newly chosen life path. Jesus also said you cannot put new wine in old wine skins. You can carry the skills and the lessons forward and desire that they be used to help reach your goal.
6. You must never think that you are finished for even if you should reach a point where your character has been tried in the fire and has made super human strides, there is always more to shed, more to discover, more to gain before your life is over.
7. What we focus on and what we believe is possible is what we draw into our lives. That idea is another whole essay, book, or chapter in itself. Suffice it to say, that if you see yourself becoming a more spiritual person and you keep your eyes focused on that rather than what appears to be you can relax, trust, believe, desire, and keep on keeping on. It is worth the effort and the wait I am sure. I have had glimpses of that and it spurs me on.
posted by Brendisima | 9:52 AM
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