So What is Spirituality? Really.
Written on April 5, 2008 by Tom Stine
credit: You would think that one of the first things I would do with a website focused on spirituality would be to write an article on “What is Spirituality?” At first thought, the answer is obvious. But sit for a few minutes trying to think of a sensible answer to that question and you discover that it isn’t as obvious as it seems. So what is spirituality? Really. Follow along as I think out loud and explore this one with you.
Some Definitions
Well, let’s start with the good old dictionary definition as we explore what is spirituality. Webster’s offers the following four entries:
Spirituality:
- something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
- clergy
- sensitivity or attachment to religious values
- the quality or state of being spiritual
Hmm…. Not the most helpful definitions, save for number 4. So let’s check out Webster’s on spiritual:
Spiritual:
- of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal
- of or relating to sacred matters
b: ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal - concerned with religious values
- related or joined in spirit
- a: of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena b: of, relating to, or involving spiritualism
Okay, I will follow one last definition, because it is important to our discussion:
Spirit: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms.
What we can glean from the dictionary is that, for the most part, spirituality, in the more common viewpoint, is
- something to do with church or religion OR
- something to do with the non-material, non-observable world OR
- something that is distinct from the physical world
For most people who give any thought to spirituality, I would guess that something along these lines would be their perspective. I know that it was mine. Spirituality seemed to be a subject separate and distinct from the rest of life, distinctly different from other topics. You know, topics such as career, relationships, health, etc. Spirituality had something to say about these subjects, but it is different somehow.
What About Alternative Spirituality?
credit: Tom Stine
Alternative spirituality is a curious term. However, it is necessary to use it or something similar in the United States since most of the activities that make-up spirituality look like some form of Christian church. Most of the spirituality in the US, as per the definitions above, looks like the Catholic, Baptist, Methodist or other churches.
Alternative spirituality is that big hodge-podge of spirit-oriented activities and beliefs that has flourished in the last 30 years. Everything from Advaita to Zen falls under this heading. Many people even make something spiritual out of acupuncture and yoga (which, in truth, would fall under the heading of Eastern spirituality, but in the US seems a bit more akin to martial arts or aerobics).
When I speak of spirituality, I usually mean something less like a Western religion and more like an Eastern one. In other words, I mean something more like alternative spirituality. Or do I? Let’s look at it some more.
My Spiritual Life
Spirituality and spiritual life are usually quite synonymous for most people. When they use the term my spiritual life, they usually mean that portion of their life that is focused upon something other than the material, day to day things. Depending upon your viewpoint, this could take the form of:
- meditating,
- chanting,
- reading spiritual books (witness the Eckhart Tolle phenomenon on Oprah.com),
- going to satsangs and meditation classes,
- going to retreats or even yoga classes,
- drumming circles,
- Unity and other churches with a more alternative spiritual bent
You name it, and someone you know is probably doing it. All for the purpose of benefiting and supporting the spiritual life.
Doesn’t Spirituality Include the Material World, too?
In recent years, a lot of attention has been given to how the spiritual interacts with the physical world. Some schools of thought look at the world, and humans in particular, as a composition of the spiritual and material. You have been encouraged to take a holistic view of yourself as physical-mental-spiritual being, not just a physical one.
And with the popularity of writers such as Deepak Chopra
But Is Spirituality Any of These Things?
As I have journeyed further and further along the path, I must say that I’m inclined to say no, spirituality is nothing that I’ve discussed above. As a matter of fact, I’m beginning to see spirituality as, well, nothing at all. Spirituality, no matter how you define it or how you look at it, is a compartment that we attempt to use to separate out a portion of our lives from the rest. And thus we say things like “my spiritual life.”
But in reality, at least as I see it, we only have life. That’s it. Just life. There are no parts. There are no compartments. There is just me living my life now doing certain things, then me living my life now and possibly doing other things. Which are the spiritual things? Which are the non-spiritual things? You see, we have to invent a compartment to house things in, and what you may call spiritual I may not and vice versa.
Moreover, the highest and most revered “spiritual masters” have been telling us throughout time that everything is one. You name it, every spiritual tradition has a great one saying “everything you see and everything you experience and everyone you meet is the same as you.” So if this idea of oneness, as told by these spiritual legends, is true, then it makes this term “spirituality” seem even more empty and even unnecessary. If everything in my life is one, then doesn’t everything in my life become “spiritual”? Or, conversely, doesn’t everything in my life become non-spiritual?
Spirituality, then, just becomes a term we use at times to describe certain aspects of life. It really isn’t a special thing, something noble or holy or grand. It isn’t even a true distinction about our lives. It is just a word. And for me, that’s about it. I’m letting go of spirituality in favor of living life. I may still meditate, attend church or satsang, go to a retreat and even talk about “spiritual” things, but I’m letting go of the belief that these things are in any way unique or special or different from “the rest of my life.” They are just what I do, and they are life.
So, I’m curious, my dear readers: does any of the above strike a cord with you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
If you enjoy this article, please vote for it or share it with others. I appreciate your support.
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on April 5th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Excellent insights. I like that you don’t shroud all of this in B.S. or bast your authority to speak on the subject on an appeal to your knowledge of ancient wisdom.
Clay Collins | The Growing Life’s last blog post..Quitting Things and Flakiness: The #1 Productivity Anti-Hack
on April 5th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I found this on Clay’s stumble blog and am glad I took a look.
As someone who is, for the first time, really getting in touch with spirituality and starting to see just how much it has to do with everyday life - I thought it was really interesting that you said we compartmentalize spirituality (ie spiritual life). Its something I’ve been thinking about alot lately.
Slowly but surely through my figuring my way through all of this, it’s harder and harder for me to see how to separate my spiritual life with everything else that goes on with me. I supposed putting it into its own little blox helps us understand or attempt to process what it really means to us..
But for instance
After listening to the Power of Intention (which had SUCH a powerful, positive impact in my life), I find myself required to stay ‘in touch’ so to speak throughout my day to appreciate with gratitude, to exude kindness, to stay in line with my purpose - etc. These aren’t things I’m thinking about/doing when I’m wrapped up into my ‘other’ world.. do you see what I mean?
Yet staying in touch improves my ‘other’ world.. to the point where the lines are getting blurry and I am coming to accept that maybe all this One talk I would read/hear about makes some kind of sense.
BTW - I picked up Eckhart’s audio book.. I’m working through it now
(fyi - I love me some Oprah)
I’m happy to have stumbled upon this site. I think it will be really conducive to this new exciting stage of my life - which I, after finding it, am clutching to for dear life.
..so I’m subscribing. Great piece!
JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, You’s last blog post..Survival of a Broken Heart: A How-To Guide
on April 6th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Interesting. Am I right to think this post is attempting to remove the confusion between the word “spirituality”, which is just a linguistic tag for something, and the something for which it is a tag? Linguistically, the word “spirituality” means all the things it is defined to mean - the point is that reality is not confined by those definitions, they’re just handy labels to use for certain concepts in conversation and writing.
The tendency of people to compartmentalise their world on linguistic lines exists in every sphere of human activity - it’s a useful tool for communicating concepts, the problems only start when people start to confuse the word with reality!
on April 6th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Tom, You’ve hit a home run on this post. And Did you have to pay that Photographer much for the picture of that Church? :)I agree with Clay.I couldn’t add another word with out blabbering on about nothing.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..Justa biting into an Elephant
on April 6th, 2008 at 10:18 am
@JEMi Glad to have you around! I really appreciate the comment. I resonate with what you are saying. For a time, there does seem like two worlds, the spiritual and material. And when the two start breaking down, that, to me is when the real beauty of all this stuff starts to happen. I hope you are enjoying this new stage of your life, because it is a fun and sometimes wild ride!
on April 6th, 2008 at 10:21 am
@Shadowduck Yes, I hadn’t exactly thought of the post that way, but you are correct. I agree that the concepts and compartments are often necessary for communicating. For instance, by tagging my site with the word “Spirituality” I make it easier for people who are wanting to read a blog about Internet marketing to know they are (potentially) in the wrong place. But you nailed it: “when people start to confuse the word with reality!” Krishamurti commented once that as soon as you teach a child the word “bird” he will never see a bird again.
on April 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Tom,
I do agree and disagree. I think separating things out makes little sense. Yet, I know I was not nurturing or supporting the very part of me that is spirit. It is possible to ignore that part of oneself. So I guess now the argument could be well, if one is only paying attention to the state of their work or their living situation, isn’t it spirit that animates that, too?
I think that’s my point. Working from the outside in doesn’t always produce results. At some point I needed to pay attention to what was animating me. We live in a world of labels and symbols. So we label this one spirit.
Maybe then not a contained portion of something but a label.
on April 6th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
@Barbara I hear what you are saying, nice comment. Labeling is more than likely not a bad thing if we can see past the label. Yet, for most people, the label IS the thing. So, spirit for most people is a word, not the living Presence. And spirituality becomes this box that part of our lives is contained in. But is that spirituality?
on April 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
By no means, Tom. But I presume the question was rhetorical…
on April 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi Tom,
I agree. Spirituality is one dimension of life. (Focusing on this one dimension for a while can be useful I think.) Victor Frankl during his imprisonment in WW2 found that those who survived imprisonment were those who had something to live for. In this sense spirituality can make a big difference.
I think life has a spiritual dimension - it is not separate from the physical (or intellectual or emotional either). But then we’d need to ask, What is life? Which is probably just as tricky as what is spirituality?
Evan’s last blog post..Your Neighbour and Your Self: Which First?
on April 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
@Barbara Yes, it was a rhetorical question.
@Evan: You know, it may be easier to talk about life having a spiritual dimension when we need to put a label on this “stuff.” It beats calling it “stuff” all the time. You know, Evan, I just might be foolish enough to try to answer the question, “What is life?”
on April 7th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Tom,If you can put some teeth into the discussion “What is Life” than I will bite.I’ll look forward to that discussion.As to this discussion, the comments are thought provoking and interesting. I liked the way Barbara could “agree and disagree” at the same time. You, Evan and I have been doing that for days now!
Great discussion as usual. I continue to look forward to your email updates.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..Justa biting into an Elephant
on April 7th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Hi Tom
Nice posting. Like it. Wish you well in your spiritual entrepreneurship. Some times ‘mind’, ‘knowledge’ etc. can be helpful, at other times they can become a hindrance. Our decision - making shows where our true faith (or our true spirituality) is pointing at.
Keep your works going.
wilbau’s last blog post..wilbau just twittered: Cool free webmail at http://www.com Send me some spam: wilbau@www.com — I’ll return the favour :-).
on April 7th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I used to say “Spirituality is life and life is spirituality”. They are so interconnected that you really can’t separate them. Putting one’s spiritual practice in one category and the “rest of one’s life” in another just doesn’t work for me, either. All we do is breathe in and breathe out, the rise and fall of existence is within and all around us…our minds want to create an identity out of fear of being swallowed up by the whole, but that fear is an illusion as well. The fear is apart of the whole, in other words…once we all start to see that then this world is going to change a great deal.
on April 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
@Moondragon: Welcome! I really like this: “Spirituality is life and life is spirituality.” That is exactly where I was going with this post. Life IS. Period. Or, spirituality IS. Period. You got it. Nice to have you here.
on April 8th, 2008 at 2:09 am
I agree with Moondragon. “Fear is an illusion” Thats so true in my life. The fear I have in me is only there because I allow it in. In other words as they say “Garbage in,Garbage out.”
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..I’m justa on my way.
on April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Hi Tom, came through from urbankmonk.net. Good reads.
Yes, we do compartmentalize different aspects of our lives: spiritual, mental, physical, emotional - and in the end, we realize they are part of the same “whole.” But the rub is, we need the parts just as much as we need the whole. You can’t have one without the other. Can you have an “inside” without an “outside”?
Looking at spirituality, we need it to discover a part of ourselves we hadn’t previously known. Yes, it is a “word,” yes it is “compartmentalized.” However, it is useful, a part of our whole. Once it has served its purpose, we can disregard it. Like the metaphor of a boat that serves its usefulness by taking you across the river, at which point it is no longer needed.
Tom, maybe you have reached the other side of the river?
Tola
on April 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Tom,
I definitely like the way you wrote this post. You really gave me some things to think about. I was always trying to figure out how to add another compartment to myself for Spirituality. Now I know that it just has to be something I add to the way I live my life already. I beleve there is always room to grow and add things, without compartments it might just be a little easier!
Jenny’s last blog post..Crazy Talk
on April 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
For me, spirituality is the best word I can find to describe being on a journey/path to realizing who I really am when I peel off all the layers of conditioning.
In that regard, like you pointed out it can’t be separated from anything… it is being consciously aware of my experience, regardless of whether that experience is at satsang or meditating, in the office, driving a car, eating, etc.
Of course as I am typing this I’ve realized that perhaps the mere attempt at answering this question poses more questions than answers.
For example, if spirituality to me is being consciously aware… then am I “not spiritual” if I’m off in my own little world not paying conscious attention to my experience?
Hrm… I’m not sure.
on April 11th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
@Jenny Thank you. I’m glad I gave you food for thought. Yes, there is no limit to the growing we can do in terms of the world and our humanness. Always a clearer vehicle for Truth.
on April 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
@Chris In my way of looking at this, you are never “not spiritual.” Life is Life. Spirituality is Life. All is Life. Even when you are the most deluded, the most unconscious, off in your own little world, you are still an expression of That Which Is True. Call it what you will. Thanks for the comment.
on April 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
@Wilbau Just found your comment. Akismet marked it as spam! Bummer. Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, words can be a hindrance. It is good to get to a place where you stop believing them.
on April 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
@Mark Thanks, glad you enjoy. It is amazing how we can disagree and agree on something. It is the words that are the problem. Words are concepts about ideas about reality. Very removed. But they are fun to play with!
on April 11th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
@Tola Ah, the words can be useful. I agree. They serve as pointers as the Zen master said. Or, better, they are like arrows shot into the air. The idea is to strike an arrow and extinguish itself. Words can be useful to help undo the beliefs we hold. So, we can use the parts, the pieces. Everything serves our awakening. Everything.
The other side of the river? Not yet, I think. Well, in a certain sense, we are already on the other side. I’m learning to no longer paddle my boat, that’s all. The other side looks very close, very nice. Just don’t paddle any more, and all will be fine.
Glad to have you hear, Tola. Hope to see more of you.
on April 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi Tom
I agree with the main points here. At a certain point you have to choose, to shift from being of the world to being of the spirit. Then when you fully do the second, you come back into the world, through spirit. then there is no longer a difference between spirit and the world, the word is within spirit…
must run…
Davidya’s last blog post..Eckhart on Oprah continues
on April 16th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
@Davidya, there is a choice at first, isn’t there, to be of the spirit. Only then can you come back into the world.
on April 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
@Tom
A choice, yes. But who is choosing? We can see the individual is opening to wholeness. And we can see the wholeness opening to Itself. And then we see they are the same thing. (laughs) The individual has the idea it is choosing, but all choices are done within consciousness. And who determines the state of consciousness? Consciousness. (laughs) So how can there be any errors?
Whoever is choosing, when individual is open to wholeness, then wholeness can move through into the world unimpeded. (fully after 2nd switch) And then the fun really begins
on April 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
@Davidya Yes, who is choosing? Words are tricky, yes? A seeming choice, then? There are of course, no errors. I love the image that I’m in the passengers seat of a car pretending I’m driving. But I’m not. I’m just along for the ride. “I” am along for the ride! *laughs hysterically*
on April 16th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Ah, but who then is in the drivers seat? If I is absorbed in the One cosmic being, the passenger, the driver, and the car are all just different “modes” or perspectives. It takes some deep being and integration to shift into who you really are…
on April 17th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Hey, Tom. Great article.
I added a bit to the discussion on my newest blog post. Hope you don’t mind.
People still seem to think that spirituality is something that you do; If you do certain actions, you are spiritual, If you don’t, you’re not. But the division, the duality, or whatever you want to call it, is still there. (How can one do being?)
Here is a nice question to ask:
Is there a spirituality that is without division?
(This assumes that it is already divided, which is fine. Just look at the world and you’ll get all the division you can stand.)
It is tricky. If your answer is based on an idea and built from a conclusion, then it is already divisive. But this is the crux of all duality. It is too strange or difficult for most, because they can’t get away from what they know to fully see the question.
One can say spirituality is this or that, or certain people have it and certain people don’t, but the wholeness, the timelessness, the being, is not there.
Is there a timeless spirituality?
Takuin Minamoto’s last blog post..What is Spirituality?
on April 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
@Takuin Glad to have you add to the discussion! I left a comment on your post, too.
When all is said and done, we are faced with the following: there is no such thing as spirituality. It is just, as you said, a division, a label, a category into which we put certain aspects of the world. But does it really exist? Of course not. Words, words, words, that is all we are playing with. Does spirituality represent something real? No. I like how Adya describes all words: they are teaching strategies. The ultimate aim of any word is to extinguish another word and leave in its place silence. Pure and simple.
So let’s keep playing with words, having fun with the discussions, letting the mind play around with all the wondrous aspects that we can call spirituality. Confession: I love spirituality and spiritual seekers and churches and chanting and all this crazy stuff. It beats doing algebra and integral calculus (I was a math teacher years ago). I just love the whole world of spirituality.
on April 17th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Fascinating ideas here Tom and Takuin. If we consider “spirituality” to mean a practice, then its a doing. So the real question is, can we practice timelessness? Can we practice being or wholeness? No. They are beyond mind so we can only Be that, we cannot do that. Yet at the same time, once we are that (which we already are) all doing is within that. So all doing is within non-doing. All action within silence. All spirituality is within spirit.
Even the idea of duality only exists within Oneness. Yet even then, how can you practice being what you already are? Really, it is only allowing.
on April 17th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I ended up commenting on Takuin’s blog, then blogging about both conversations. Enjoy!
Davidya’s last blog post..Spirit
on April 18th, 2008 at 9:37 am
@Davidya Okay, here is an observation. I agree with everything you and Takuin are saying. And yet, here is why I feel good about writing about what I’m calling practical spirituality. While there are cases of spontaneous awakening, in which someone hadn’t really been a “spiritual” person at all, done little to know meditation, spiritual practices, etc., the overwhelming majority of awakenings seem to occur after long periods of spiritual practice! Isn’t that hilarious? Adya likes to say that for him and a lot of people, they had to fail at being a spiritual seeker before they could finally STOP, be still, rest, and allow what is to actually be. I can relate to that, for certain.
So spiritual seekers will probably always want/need to do something, to have a practice, to get instruction, to sit in satsang, to sit in meditation, to struggle to achieve that which they already have. And the spiritual teacher can help them to struggle so well that they ultimately fail. Ramana told people that the ultimate practice was to “be still.” If you can’t do that? Then do inquiry. Can’t handle that? Then he would often tell them to do some type of Hindu/yogic practice: mantras, devotions, you name it. I love it! Something for everyone.
And in the end, Davidya’s is right: ultimately, you end up just allowing what is to be what it is.
on April 18th, 2008 at 10:14 am
When you take the inclusive view of Oneness, you see that it is both - there is Self coming to know Itself, we simply need to get out of the way. There is nothing we need to ‘do’. But there is also the individual seeking to discover itSelf. I don’t think this is any less valid.
Really, they are the same thing. Self coming to know itself, through ItSelf, and through the individual. Or if you like, 2 sides of the coin, the inward and the outward strokes.
But your point is still valid. What is spirituality if it is just an idea? As a friend is so fond of saying, a word is just a symbol of a symbol (idea).
The key is stepping past ideas and moving into being it, as you are. Ultimately, thats what any practice is about. If you consider it from the perspective of human evolution, there is a time for practice. Practice brings us to the doorway. But to step through the door, we have to transcend the practice. Step to the next level. Its not that the practice is an illusion per se, its that at some point it becomes that. You are obviously there.
Its quite common for peoples practice to be thrown when they make a major step up in awareness. If you are no longer that, what use is a practice in that? I know some who quit. Others who struggle for a short time as meditation may no longer seem to “work”. The mind is no longer “where” it used to be. Perhaps its more like the chair in the corner now.
Its valid to consider, but always remember the perspective you bring to the table. As your perspective changes, so too will your truth.
Davidya’s last blog post..Egos and Cults
on April 18th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Love the discussion going on here, well thought out responses. I dont have more to add. I appreciate everyone’s point of view.
Tola
rx4life.info’s last blog post..Power Quote - Dale Carnegie
on April 18th, 2008 at 10:45 am
You gave clarity to such a good point that i posted it to my blog too. Thanks Tom
Davidya’s last blog post..The Practice
on April 18th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Davidya and Tom, Your comments are very deep. Deep is ok but the surface is a necessary first step I believe.If you can’t even find the surface of a thing or the beginning if you will.
How can you expect to go deeper yet. I’m still practicing my awakening if I can get past the practice aren’t I then pretty close to the center of it all. I’m justa asking Tom?
Am I way off still? I feel like I still have a lot of practicing to do, before I can every feel like I have “arrived”. And then a final question. Where are we when we have arrived?
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..Justa studying up on my Bi-Polar disorder.
on April 18th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
@Mark Here are some answers that might help: First, yes, everyone must start where they are. I did. Everyone does. You’ve done the best first thing. You know where you are.
Getting past the practice doesn’t necessarily mean you are close. I like the way Adyashanti describes it: the practice is meant to take you to the limit of your mind, to the boundary of what you know. If you hang-out there, you will begin to experience a movement from “the other side” as it were. Spirit or consciousness will come to you. Over time, or maybe very quickly, the attention you are paying to what is beyond the mind will bear fruit. So keep practicing. Practice all the time.
As to where we are when we have arrived, well, “we” aren’t anywhere. That’s the whole point. Awakening is awakening from the dream called “me” or as Ramana called it, the I-thought. You think you are Mark, a separate self, isolated from the world. When in reality you are God, awareness, presence, the Now, consciousness, spirit, whatever you want to call it, experiencing itself as Mark and not aware of the truth. And I can tell you, mentally understanding what I just wrote isn’t “it” in terms of awakening. You gotta know it. Down in your gut.
As Davidya has nicely put it in his blog, we awaken to a knowingness that we aren’t what we thought we are. We are nothingness, the Void, emptiness, spirit. And either simultaneously or at some point after (and for some people, even before!), we come to a realization that this emptiness, this spirit is everything, even our thoughts, our mind, you name it. Everything. Nothing is left out.
That’s the best I can do for right now, Mark. Go to adyashanti.org and listen to Adya talk about this stuff. He has hundreds of hours of recordings you can listen to, some for free, that will give you a very clear and concise understanding of what all this stuff is about.
on April 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
@Mark - Tom elucidates it very well. Deep is good so you have a resource but yes, we must start where we are. And the knowing where you are is a very big step. It is an awakening to what is. Everything that follows is just taking that deeper. In understanding, in mind, in heart, in identity, in all of our being.
We are used to doing or finding, but the key here, even at the start, is being. Being what what is. Adya is a wonderful resource but if even that is too deep, you may enjoy the conversation Eckhart is having with Oprah. They have started with the very basics and are stepping forward through the process. Pretty amazing millions are hearing it. Once you “get” that, Adya will take you through waking and beyond.
No, you are not way off. The goal is not somewhere else, its just being here now. Perhaps in your practice you have had occasional moments of silence, of a gap, of space. Or perhaps a wave of happiness after a kind of blank space. Thats it. You have arrived. The trick is to ‘learn’ to stay. To refine and clear and allow enough to be there and here at the same time.
Where are you when you have arrived? The path is a metaphor. You don’t go anywhere. You simply open your awareness more and discover more of where and what you already are, and that is everything. This is about consciousness, not ideas. The mind catches up later.
Davidya’s last blog post..Growing the Group
on April 18th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
@Tom - and your best is mighty fine. Thank you for creating this space in your awareness were we can share.
on April 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Thanks guys.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..Justa studying up on my Bi-Polar disorder.
on April 18th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
@Mark and Davidya. I couldn’t have said it better. Mark, I would completely second Davidya’s recommendation. Have a look at Eckhart Tolle and Oprah. I gotta hand it to Oprah, she is really doing something marvelous with A New Earth.
on April 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
@Mark
One other little note. If you are struggling with an issue that will affect the clarity of your awareness, this will affect your ability to be clear on the very subtle. There might be a condition requiring medication, ongoing physical pain, swirling emotional drama, whatever may confront one in life.
Thats said, this is not a hindrance to awakening. Awakening is beyond all that. Mental fogginess, fatigue, and other noise will affect our clarity but will not stop being. We remain that, whatever the expression. Rather than space, it may simply seem blank.
Thats been one of the surprises to me. I always had the idea that enlightenment required perfection, stress free and pure. But I’ve seen a compulsive liar wake up, a woman with huge dramas, and a grannie who didn’t want it nor any understanding. Of course, its a little easier if we’re clear and have moved past the pain body. But nothing is a barrier to being.
Waking is just changing who we perceive ourselves to be. However muddy the perception.
on April 18th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
@Mark - this so clearly illustrates the difference between Experience and Being I blogged about it further. Thanks for being the catalyst.
Davidya’s last blog post..What Awakes
on April 18th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Davidya. Thanks very much for the email. It meant a lot to me and also the comments.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..Justa studying up on my Bi-Polar disorder.
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