Comments on: 6 “Mistakes” I’ve Made on the Spiritual Path http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/ Teachings on Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:32:41 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-2/#comment-1623 Tom Stine Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:17:57 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1623 @Philip I would agree: always let everyone have their own way of thinking about a higher power. @Philip I would agree: always let everyone have their own way of thinking about a higher power.

]]> By: Philip http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-2/#comment-1616 Philip Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:15:18 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1616 As a recovering alcoholic who had to stop drinking I had to sort out my ideas about a Higher Power as mentioned in AA. I used every excuse possible. I was sometimes rude ( I have apologized). I said I was an atheist,buddhist,freethinker or whatever . I eventually managed to get a sensible handle on all of this by reading 'Integral Spirituality' by Ken Wilber. Also at an AA meeting a guy said ' One thing I have been taught is to never interfere in anyones concept of a power greater than themselves' So this meant everyone is included ,with all their viewpoints,happy days. As a recovering alcoholic who had to stop drinking I had to sort out my ideas about a Higher Power as mentioned in AA. I used every excuse possible. I was sometimes rude ( I have apologized). I said I was an atheist,buddhist,freethinker or whatever . I eventually managed to get a sensible handle on all of this by reading ‘Integral Spirituality’ by Ken Wilber. Also at an AA meeting a guy said ‘ One thing I have been taught is to never interfere in anyones concept of a power greater than themselves’ So this meant everyone is included ,with all their viewpoints,happy days.

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 Tom Stine Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:57:51 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1520 @Nick Hey, glad you found the site. Always nice to have a new reader. We learn so much more from our mistakes, don't we? Good to make them. Better to recognize them. :-) @Nick Hey, glad you found the site. Always nice to have a new reader. We learn so much more from our mistakes, don’t we? Good to make them. Better to recognize them. :-)

]]> By: Nick http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1517 Nick Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:16:49 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1517 Hi Tom, just found your site. Quite interesting stuff, especially this post. I've been counting my "mistakes" today so this kind of hit a nerve :-) My biggest "mistake" has been to read too much and do too little. I'm like the teacup in the zen tale that spills over and cannot take in any real experiences. Or to paraphrase Jonathan Mead: I've read all books on chess, but now that it's my turn I don't know what to do. Still, as you say it's important I made this mistake. Now I can learn from it. And I have already. _/\_ Hi Tom, just found your site. Quite interesting stuff, especially this post. I’ve been counting my “mistakes” today so this kind of hit a nerve :-)

My biggest “mistake” has been to read too much and do too little. I’m like the teacup in the zen tale that spills over and cannot take in any real experiences. Or to paraphrase Jonathan Mead: I’ve read all books on chess, but now that it’s my turn I don’t know what to do.

Still, as you say it’s important I made this mistake. Now I can learn from it. And I have already.

_/\_

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1351 Tom Stine Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:21:56 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1351 @Lea Thanks for the comments. I'm a big fan of gut feelings. If you sit with a gut feeling, and it sticks around, I've found it pretty "reliable" for taking action. I like my gut feelings much better than "head" feelings. @Lea Thanks for the comments. I’m a big fan of gut feelings. If you sit with a gut feeling, and it sticks around, I’ve found it pretty “reliable” for taking action. I like my gut feelings much better than “head” feelings.

]]> By: Davidya http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1345 Davidya Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:37:31 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1345 Lea, you may find it useful to find an internal terminology for your own clarity. It's not uncommon to use emotions to describe the surface values, feelings for more subtle values, and intuition for the hunches. Some have 'gut' feelings, some have more root based feelings, some have stuff that arises in the heart. All of it arises as an impulse we may call a "thought" but may be appreciated at a different level and/or may arise in a different layer of 'the field'. If we use terms loosly, it can reduce our clarity. The analogy comes to mind that English has one word for snow, the Inuit 30. Lea, you may find it useful to find an internal terminology for your own clarity.

It’s not uncommon to use emotions to describe the surface values, feelings for more subtle values, and intuition for the hunches. Some have ‘gut’ feelings, some have more root based feelings, some have stuff that arises in the heart.

All of it arises as an impulse we may call a “thought” but may be appreciated at a different level and/or may arise in a different layer of ‘the field’. If we use terms loosly, it can reduce our clarity.

The analogy comes to mind that English has one word for snow, the Inuit 30.

]]> By: Lea http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1344 Lea Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:07:11 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1344 You mentioned that feelings come from our thoughts. I agree with that, but I also believe we can sense things through different feelings, such as the "gut" feeling. It's strange that when I was younger, it was my illogical feelings that would turn out to be the most trustworthy for me and often had battles between my mind and those feelings. The one time that a feeling ended poorly for me, happened I believe, because it was actually a strong emotion, thus blurring my objectivity and of course, was not a "gut" feeling. You have good points to keep in mind. You mentioned that feelings come from our thoughts. I agree with that, but I also believe we can sense things through different feelings, such as the “gut” feeling.

It’s strange that when I was younger, it was my illogical feelings that would turn out to be the most trustworthy for me and often had battles between my mind and those feelings. The one time that a feeling ended poorly for me, happened I believe, because it was actually a strong emotion, thus blurring my objectivity and of course, was not a “gut” feeling.

You have good points to keep in mind.

]]> By: Davidya http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1304 Davidya Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:44:10 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1304 I might say though that #2 may not always be true. I know a few people who could use a little more grounding. (laughs) I might say though that #2 may not always be true. I know a few people who could use a little more grounding. (laughs)

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1122 Tom Stine Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:25:53 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1122 @Tereza I'm glad I made you laugh! You knew exactly what I meant, didn't you? :-) You are 100% correct, the spiritual path is ultimately one we have to walk on our own. Because ultimately it is about finding out the answer to "what am I?" And who is going to tell you that? No one! Wonderful to have you here and leaving comments! Please do so again. @Tereza I’m glad I made you laugh! You knew exactly what I meant, didn’t you? :-) You are 100% correct, the spiritual path is ultimately one we have to walk on our own. Because ultimately it is about finding out the answer to “what am I?” And who is going to tell you that? No one! Wonderful to have you here and leaving comments! Please do so again.

]]> By: Tereza Sykorova http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-1117 Tereza Sykorova Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:39:16 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-1117 I was roaring with laughter when I read about the "used car salesmen"!:o))) My greatest mistake was not being confident enough to trust my own judgment and intuition. Not taking my own experience as seriously as the books. Believing that others and the books know more and that I am not competent enough to find out by myself. Now I know that it is essential to find out by myself. To be a scientist and make my own experiments. I was roaring with laughter when I read about the “used car salesmen”!:o)))
My greatest mistake was not being confident enough to trust my own judgment and intuition. Not taking my own experience as seriously as the books. Believing that others and the books know more and that I am not competent enough to find out by myself. Now I know that it is essential to find out by myself. To be a scientist and make my own experiments.

]]> By: Barbara Johnson http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-864 Barbara Johnson Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:03:27 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-864 Hi Tom, I've been browsing around your site again, thanks for sharing all this!! You made me laugh with this title, and the laugh was about me.. The title triggered me, and I clicked the link with the arrogant feeling, hey...what mistakes.. this guy doesn't even understand the basics. Great! You put it right into my face, pride.. pervasive and invasive arrogance. A big thank you please keep going. Whats next :-) This time I include a big hug, Love Barb. Hi Tom,

I’ve been browsing around your site again, thanks for sharing all this!! You made me laugh with this title, and the laugh was about me.. The title triggered me, and I clicked the link with the arrogant feeling, hey…what mistakes.. this guy doesn’t even understand the basics. Great! You put it right into my face, pride.. pervasive and invasive arrogance. A big thank you please keep going. Whats next :-)

This time I include a big hug,

Love

Barb.

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-788 Tom Stine Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:43:20 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-788 @Uzma Those are great questions. I can't really say how long to meditate. I like to sit for around 30 minutes or so, maybe longer. As for what sort of meditation, I enjoy a very simple meditation that I learned from Adyashanti. You can read about it <a href="http://www.adyashanti.org/index.php?file=writings_inner&writingid=12" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Basically, one just sits and allows everything to be as it is. Utterly simple. As opposed to watching the breath, I will "watch" my awareness. In other words, I will be aware of awareness. That's it. I just sit with that. It can be very remarkable, as awareness is, in fact, what I am. Personally, I love doing inquiry. It can be very, very simple: what am I? Just following that is very powerful. And simple. Notice the simple theme? As for your last question, I'm not sure that layers of conditioning and fears will automatically fall away. Sometimes, one needs to do a little digging. However, in general, sitting and doing inquiry and keeping focused on the awareness itself produces, for me, dramatic results. I've had lots of things drop away as a result. And yet, I also do some digging at times. Both work well. @Uzma Those are great questions. I can’t really say how long to meditate. I like to sit for around 30 minutes or so, maybe longer. As for what sort of meditation, I enjoy a very simple meditation that I learned from Adyashanti. You can read about it
here. Basically, one just sits and allows everything to be as it is. Utterly simple.

As opposed to watching the breath, I will “watch” my awareness. In other words, I will be aware of awareness. That’s it. I just sit with that. It can be very remarkable, as awareness is, in fact, what I am.

Personally, I love doing inquiry. It can be very, very simple: what am I? Just following that is very powerful. And simple. Notice the simple theme?

As for your last question, I’m not sure that layers of conditioning and fears will automatically fall away. Sometimes, one needs to do a little digging. However, in general, sitting and doing inquiry and keeping focused on the awareness itself produces, for me, dramatic results. I’ve had lots of things drop away as a result. And yet, I also do some digging at times. Both work well.

]]> By: uzma http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-785 uzma Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:41:40 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-785 Hey. I am stuck at the mistake of not sitting enough. I love to read and discuss spirituality instead. But am beginning to see the folly of that. How long do you think beginners should meditate for? and what sort of meditation do you like? Also can one just watch the breath? Is it necessary to question and inquire? Won't awareness developed in meditation automatically bring make the layers of conditioning and fears fall away and let one be in the now. Hey.
I am stuck at the mistake of not sitting enough. I love to read and discuss spirituality instead. But am beginning to see the folly of that.
How long do you think beginners should meditate for? and what sort of meditation do you like? Also can one just watch the breath? Is it necessary to question and inquire? Won’t awareness developed in meditation automatically bring make the layers of conditioning and fears fall away and let one be in the now.

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-522 Tom Stine Tue, 06 May 2008 15:00:02 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-522 @Robert As you can tell from my site, I really love the teachings of Adyashanti. One thing he says often is that his teacher told him: "We arrive at Nirvana by way of samsara." Over and over again, the message is plain: the way "out" is "through." We look deeply into our suffering, samsara, and we find the emperor has no clothes! But look we must. We look with love and openness and curiosity. We never get rid of our suffering. We love it, accept it, allow it, and it passes through. And along the way, we find out who we are. Almost unavoidably. I wasn't in any way concerned with who I was. Then one day, I was asked this question, "Can you find the 'me' that you think you are?" No, I couldn't. And so it went. And then grace comes, and this "me" gets seen through. What a blessing. I'm enjoying your comments. I think I will have to add panic attacks to my growing list of articles to write. I am baffled by the idea that I could ever be at a loss for what to write about. Now finding the time to write it, that's the trick! @Robert As you can tell from my site, I really love the teachings of Adyashanti. One thing he says often is that his teacher told him: “We arrive at Nirvana by way of samsara.” Over and over again, the message is plain: the way “out” is “through.” We look deeply into our suffering, samsara, and we find the emperor has no clothes! But look we must. We look with love and openness and curiosity. We never get rid of our suffering. We love it, accept it, allow it, and it passes through.

And along the way, we find out who we are. Almost unavoidably. I wasn’t in any way concerned with who I was. Then one day, I was asked this question, “Can you find the ‘me’ that you think you are?” No, I couldn’t. And so it went. And then grace comes, and this “me” gets seen through. What a blessing.

I’m enjoying your comments. I think I will have to add panic attacks to my growing list of articles to write. I am baffled by the idea that I could ever be at a loss for what to write about. Now finding the time to write it, that’s the trick!

]]> By: Robert Davis http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-521 Robert Davis Tue, 06 May 2008 14:49:04 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-521 Tom, Thanks. It is odd that we choose something like this to rid of a "mental disease" and the byproduct is that you may actually cure it, but you are now faced with finding out who you are, looking both inside truly, and outside. In a way I feel the panic attacks are sorta a springboard to finding your true nature, or can be. I know most cannot break free of this cycle once they develop it(and I have my theory as to why it develops but that is for later!). So in a way, I have started blessing the experience of panic attacks. If I had not been at the bottom of this percieved suffering9panic attacks), I probably would have been content with life as it is in the conditioned world without any need to know what I really am. Thanks again=P Tom, Thanks. It is odd that we choose something like this to rid of a “mental disease” and the byproduct is that you may actually cure it, but you are now faced with finding out who you are, looking both inside truly, and outside. In a way I feel the panic attacks are sorta a springboard to finding your true nature, or can be. I know most cannot break free of this cycle once they develop it(and I have my theory as to why it develops but that is for later!). So in a way, I have started blessing the experience of panic attacks. If I had not been at the bottom of this percieved suffering9panic attacks), I probably would have been content with life as it is in the conditioned world without any need to know what I really am. Thanks again=P

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Tom Stine Tue, 06 May 2008 14:24:13 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-519 @Robert I started in spirituality much the same way: to be free of health problems. The solution seemed to be to "fix" things that were broken. I've found myself coming full circle, too. Right back to the simplest things: let everything be. Sit, allow, sit allow. Ultimately, that was the ground work that was laid when my panic attacks ended. And here I am, now, sitting and allowing. Well, actually, sitting and loving. Again, nice to have you here. :-) @Robert I started in spirituality much the same way: to be free of health problems. The solution seemed to be to “fix” things that were broken. I’ve found myself coming full circle, too. Right back to the simplest things: let everything be. Sit, allow, sit allow. Ultimately, that was the ground work that was laid when my panic attacks ended. And here I am, now, sitting and allowing. Well, actually, sitting and loving. Again, nice to have you here. :-)

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Tom Stine Tue, 06 May 2008 14:21:08 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-518 @Desika Glad to have you visit. Thanks for the compliment. I think I have to agree: no everything in the world is for human consumption. The world is often our greatest teacher. @Desika Glad to have you visit. Thanks for the compliment. I think I have to agree: no everything in the world is for human consumption. The world is often our greatest teacher.

]]> By: Desika Nadadur | I Am My Own Master http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-517 Desika Nadadur | I Am My Own Master Tue, 06 May 2008 06:18:31 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-517 Hi Tom, I found your blog through my buddy Anmol Mehta's blog. Great post! I like what you said about Nature. I believe, everything in nature is "not" made for human consumption, but they are made to show us the way; to be the sign posts on our way home. Thanks, Desika Hi Tom,

I found your blog through my buddy Anmol Mehta’s blog. Great post! I like what you said about Nature. I believe, everything in nature is “not” made for human consumption, but they are made to show us the way; to be the sign posts on our way home.

Thanks,
Desika

]]> By: Robert Davis http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-509 Robert Davis Mon, 05 May 2008 18:13:50 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-509 It has not really been that "long" that I have been seeking(about 9 years starting at age 25). However it is that statement alone that I realized one of my mistakes(seeking!). What exactly am I seeking? At first it was honestly to rid of panic attacks and I used a "form" of detathement they are not real kinda thing. However, there was a byproduct of this. I need to feel fufilled now that I am free! External things just will not do it and I doubt ever could. So the last 2 to 3 years I sought and sought with various teachings hopeing the next had the answer to why I still felt hollow. It turns out the answer is in front of me the whole time. Seeking can be a detriment to growth when you are looking for something outside yourself, even spiritual teachings. So the last 4 months have been very odd as I am dropping all concepts and just letting things BE as they are.. This for me is actually a very "painfull" thing as you are literally forced to face yourself in every form the mind can conjur(it is all ego but still!). Letting go of who you think you are can be painfull. Oddly enough, I am right back at the same procedure that I used to dissolve panic attacks. Letting them be and realizing that the thoughts/reactions are not me. Odd I have gone in a big circle! :) It has not really been that “long” that I have been seeking(about 9 years starting at age 25). However it is that statement alone that I realized one of my mistakes(seeking!). What exactly am I seeking? At first it was honestly to rid of panic attacks and I used a “form” of detathement they are not real kinda thing. However, there was a byproduct of this. I need to feel fufilled now that I am free! External things just will not do it and I doubt ever could. So the last 2 to 3 years I sought and sought with various teachings hopeing the next had the answer to why I still felt hollow. It turns out the answer is in front of me the whole time. Seeking can be a detriment to growth when you are looking for something outside yourself, even spiritual teachings. So the last 4 months have been very odd as I am dropping all concepts and just letting things BE as they are.. This for me is actually a very “painfull” thing as you are literally forced to face yourself in every form the mind can conjur(it is all ego but still!). Letting go of who you think you are can be painfull. Oddly enough, I am right back at the same procedure that I used to dissolve panic attacks. Letting them be and realizing that the thoughts/reactions are not me. Odd I have gone in a big circle! :)

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Tom Stine Sat, 03 May 2008 18:04:28 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-475 @Alex Hey, feel free to babble. I do it all the time. It's called "blogging." :-) I couldn't agree more. There is no goal. It is a path we walk upon, and the point is to walk the path. Nothing more. @Alex Hey, feel free to babble. I do it all the time. It’s called “blogging.” :-)

I couldn’t agree more. There is no goal. It is a path we walk upon, and the point is to walk the path. Nothing more.

]]> By: Alex Kay http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-471 Alex Kay Sat, 03 May 2008 08:17:26 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-471 Spirituality and religion is the exact same thing for me - they're both ways (or paths) to get closer to god. And by saying god, I do not mean *god* as a man sitting up there looking at us. I mean the "universe", which in a way, is always looking at us you might say. It's our "inner commentator", our consciousness, our outview on the world from the inside. Because it is a path, there is no real goal. It's more of a mission. A mission that won't end before you do. Really nice post Tom Stine, sorry for the babbling, just wrote what I had in mind :) <em>Alex Kay's last blog post..<a href='http://www.justkeepthechange.com/starting-a-beginners-guide' rel="nofollow">Starting a Beginners Guide to Dating Succes</a></em> Spirituality and religion is the exact same thing for me – they’re both ways (or paths) to get closer to god.

And by saying god, I do not mean *god* as a man sitting up there looking at us.

I mean the “universe”, which in a way, is always looking at us you might say.

It’s our “inner commentator”, our consciousness, our outview on the world from the inside.

Because it is a path, there is no real goal. It’s more of a mission. A mission that won’t end before you do.

Really nice post Tom Stine, sorry for the babbling, just wrote what I had in mind :)

Alex Kay’s last blog post..Starting a Beginners Guide to Dating Succes

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-448 Tom Stine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:36:50 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-448 @Elisa So nice to see you here! Glad to have your comments.... Ah, being spiritual. So very different from the spirituality of simple being. When all is said and done, it really is about being, just being. And from there, the world isn't such a bad place. As a matter of fact, it gets more lovely by the day. Again glad to see you here! @Elisa So nice to see you here! Glad to have your comments…. Ah, being spiritual. So very different from the spirituality of simple being. When all is said and done, it really is about being, just being. And from there, the world isn’t such a bad place. As a matter of fact, it gets more lovely by the day. Again glad to see you here!

]]> By: Elisa Ferzacca http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-445 Elisa Ferzacca Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:25:33 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-445 Hi Harold and Tom and all, I certainly have made all the above "mistakes" and still struggle with all 6 of the ones that you outline. I think this is in part because I was so desperately searching for oneness from the time I was a kid, that I was willing to accept and try anything that looked"spiritual". I went into heavy reaction after years of openly and enthusiastically following gurus and trying different paths and accepting any and all that others told me about truth, life, myself, etc. I didn't realize that in desperation, I had simply adopted a whole new list of "shoulds" and repressed and abandoned my self instead of letting go. I am now in an interesting place. Adya speaks of the path of failure, when everything that used to work for you now fails. I relate very much to that. I am there. Initially, it was very scary. Now it is very interesting. I truly do not know anything, especially what I am going to do next or what is going to happen. It doesn't mean I am going to do crazy things (hopefully) and that I don't have plans, I do and in fact am very much looking forward to many things,,,if they happen. What this path of failure means, is that I am willing to experience the unfolding of everything from the paradoxical place of watching and being in the middle of it at the same time...if that makes sense. Ironically, I am finding that in going to the place where there is no self, I am finally honoring my self, both big and small S and finding that the world is not a bad place at all. Am I even on topic anymore?!! anyway I am so grateful for this site and for all of you! Elisa Hi Harold and Tom and all,

I certainly have made all the above “mistakes” and still struggle with all 6 of the ones that you outline. I think this is in part because I was so desperately searching for oneness from the time I was a kid, that I was willing to accept and try anything that looked”spiritual”. I went into heavy reaction after years of openly and enthusiastically following gurus and trying different paths and accepting any and all that others told me about truth, life, myself, etc. I didn’t realize that in desperation, I had simply adopted a whole new list of “shoulds” and repressed and abandoned my self instead of letting go.

I am now in an interesting place. Adya speaks of the path of failure, when everything that used to work for you now fails. I relate very much to that. I am there. Initially, it was very scary. Now it is very interesting. I truly do not know anything, especially what I am going to do next or what is going to happen. It doesn’t mean I am going to do crazy things (hopefully) and that I don’t have plans, I do and in fact am very much looking forward to many things,,,if they happen. What this path of failure means, is that I am willing to experience the unfolding of everything from the paradoxical place of watching and being in the middle of it at the same time…if that makes sense. Ironically, I am finding that in going to the place where there is no self, I am finally honoring my self, both big and small S and finding that the world is not a bad place at all.
Am I even on topic anymore?!!
anyway
I am so grateful for this site and for all of you!
Elisa

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-440 Tom Stine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:19:55 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-440 Hi Harold, welcome here. I see you've got this lesson of Hale and Lester's down quite well. It goes back to "what we resist persists." Nice to see you again. Hi Harold, welcome here. I see you’ve got this lesson of Hale and Lester’s down quite well. It goes back to “what we resist persists.” Nice to see you again.

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Tom Stine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:16:29 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-438 @Loraleigh Welcome! Glad to have you reading and leaving comments. Yes, it is fantastic being human. Wouldn't have it any other way. You used a great word to describe the Secret: regurgitated. That kinda sums it up, doesn't it? :-) @Loraleigh Welcome! Glad to have you reading and leaving comments. Yes, it is fantastic being human. Wouldn’t have it any other way. You used a great word to describe the Secret: regurgitated. That kinda sums it up, doesn’t it? :-)

]]> By: Harold Loomis http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Harold Loomis Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:32:57 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-433 To Mark Krusen: Trying to keep the Ego from making a come back means that you are planning on the ego making a come back. Let it go, the fear, everything, until you have no charge (feelings) about it. Have fun and keep enjoying the present. To Mark Krusen:
Trying to keep the Ego from making a come back means that you are planning on the ego making a come back. Let it go, the fear, everything, until you have no charge (feelings) about it.
Have fun and keep enjoying the present.

]]> By: Loraleigh Vance http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Loraleigh Vance Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:30:20 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-430 Hi Tom, Dang! It's so much fun to be human, isn't it? We get to make, and then hopefully learn from, all these great "mistakes." I'm guilty of not being to thrilled with "The Secret" as well. I thought it was just a regurgitation of all the accumulated wisdom of the ages. What I learned was, if one person learns one new thing, recycling is always good. Take care and keep up the good work. <em>Loraleigh Vance's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LoraleighVance/~3/279707260/' rel="nofollow">Addictions and Awareness</a></em> Hi Tom,
Dang! It’s so much fun to be human, isn’t it? We get to make, and then hopefully learn from, all these great “mistakes.”
I’m guilty of not being to thrilled with “The Secret” as well. I thought it was just a regurgitation of all the accumulated wisdom of the ages. What I learned was, if one person learns one new thing, recycling is always good.
Take care and keep up the good work.

Loraleigh Vance’s last blog post..Addictions and Awareness

]]> By: peter smith http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-426 peter smith Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:04:03 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-426 happiness today to my friend. Trust, faith, love and smile Lead you to happiness. <em>peter smith's last blog post..<a href='http://2photonow.blogspot.com/2008/04/gift-to-all-visitors.html' rel="nofollow">A gift to all visitors</a></em> happiness today to my friend.

Trust, faith, love and smile

Lead you to happiness.

peter smith’s last blog post..A gift to all visitors

]]> By: Tom Stine http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-416 Tom Stine Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:16:58 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-416 @Jordan Nice to have you here! Thanks for sharing some of your insights along the way. Yes, trying too hard, a very common one. I've done it, too. Still do at times. The competitive conditioning dies slowly in some of us. Again, welcome! @Jordan Nice to have you here! Thanks for sharing some of your insights along the way. Yes, trying too hard, a very common one. I’ve done it, too. Still do at times. The competitive conditioning dies slowly in some of us. Again, welcome!

]]> By: Jordan Cheng http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/comment-page-1/#comment-410 Jordan Cheng Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:22:27 +0000 http://tomstine.com/6-mistakes-made-on-the-spiritual-journey/#comment-410 I can identify with most of the points there. I used to be proud of my newly acquired sense of awakening; Now I know this arrogance could hinder the flow of real wisdom that discerns the truth. I have also learned to appreciate the beauty of nature more than ever, and have even tried to bring back a piece of nature back home by keeping tanks of tropical fish! Another mistake I made was "trying too hard". I guess this has got to do with personality of competitive nature. It has taken me a long while to learn to surrender and go with the flow. Thanks for the insights, Tom! Cheers, Jordan Cheng <em>Jordan Cheng's last blog post..<a href='http://jordancheng.net/the-success-secrets-of-michael-jordan/' rel="nofollow">The Success Secrets of Michael Jordan</a></em> I can identify with most of the points there.

I used to be proud of my newly acquired sense of awakening; Now I know this arrogance could hinder the flow of real wisdom that discerns the truth. I have also learned to appreciate the beauty of nature more than ever, and have even tried to bring back a piece of nature back home by keeping tanks of tropical fish!

Another mistake I made was “trying too hard”. I guess this has got to do with personality of competitive nature. It has taken me a long while to learn to surrender and go with the flow.

Thanks for the insights, Tom!
Cheers,

Jordan Cheng

Jordan Cheng’s last blog post..The Success Secrets of Michael Jordan

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