| Outlining a path to spiritual awakening:
For the person just beginning their spiritual journey it can seem like there is a formidable variety of methods, practices, and philosophies in how to achieve freedom. There is a bewildering array of teachers who claim to be able to give you the answer you are looking for. The simple truth is that there is both no answer and a very simple one. The simple answer is something we have discussed in much detail and is summed up as: All suffering is caused by not remembering who you really are. As I just said there is also no answer. What is meant by that is that every person must find their way to that truth on their own individual journey. No one can hand you the steps to take to guarantee your liberation. But certainly there are facets of the journey that everyone will experience.
To outline these core components of the journey we must briefly revisit some of the things we have discussed before. Our journey is really one of letting go, of unlearning and undoing. Over our years of development and growth we take on many beliefs, many ideas, we limit our self-expression, we learn to adapt and in the end we give up even knowing our deepest desires and our deepest truth in order to fit in some way. Our journey is to let go of these artificial aspects of ourselves so that we can once again know and express our true selves. So every journey includes some method for examining our beliefs about who we are and how we should live and questioning their validity. This is not a short-term process and can take place in a variety of settings, but it does take commitment and self-discipline. Some of the setting that are useful are some sort of spiritual practice and community, personal growth workshops and individual work either in the area of therapy or coaching or spiritual training.
Certainly an absolute requirement is a return to the body, bringing your awareness back into your body and becoming at home once again with your emotions and feelings. This may require some bodywork, (there are many models for this), or a commitment to yoga on a deep level. A daily practice of yoga or other bodywork is highly desirable as well as a daily practice in some form of contemplation, whether that be meditation, journaling or other forms. You need to be challenged on your beliefs and your behaviors which is why having some kind of a partner, i.e. therapist, prayer partner, spiritual teacher, is a necessity. You need to seek the company of people who make you feel better, who have the qualities that you see as desirable. There are many communities of varying types that are suitable.
All of the great religions have the truth at their core, although many have lost sight of that in the daily practice and institutional organization. Nevertheless, every great religion had and has great mystics and those who speak and know the truth. There are many other spiritual avenues. It is important to remember that there are many ways to the truth and in the end you will have to find your own way. Do not fall into the trap of believing that someone has the right and only way. No such thing exists. Find what suits you, that you can commit to, that uplifts you, for if it is more like work than growth it may not be the right choice for you.
Be willing to accept that many of the ideas you have about living and who you are, are only ideas and beliefs and have nothing to do with the truth. Eventually you will have to give up every idea and belief and then you will operate only from your truest, most authentic self. Then you will be liberated. |
