What Does it mean to be on a Spiritual Path?

[aceofcups]

Question:
What Does it mean to be on a Spiritual Path to you? Is everyone, consciously or unconsciously on it? Or does it connote a deeper commitment in some ways? And if yes to last question ... what are the commitments?

peace, aceofcups

[baangus]

Mar 18, 2014 19:36:35 GMT aceofcups said:

Question: Is everyone, consciously or unconsciously on it?

Hi aceofcups. Absolutely, and it's impossible not to be. We are beings of spirit, and spirit is our natural state. The physical plane is the schoolroom within which we eventually come to a conscious recognition of that, over many lifetimes of course.

I love your question about commitments. Until I came to a soul-depth understanding regarding the reality of reincarnation and the eternal soul, committing to a continuous spirit-filled relationship with life was difficult for me. I experienced as many dark days as inspired ones. All that completely changed for me after coming to the above-mentioned understanding regarding the soul. I suddenly saw life, nature and incarnation as nothing less than a wondrous miracle. Perhaps the first conscious commitment I recall making occurred some time after that: I made an agreement with myself to wake up each morning filled with joy and thankfulness. Anything less than that feels like a slap in the face of Creation, as well as a kind of abdication of my responsibility as a soul-spirit being and conscious participant in that Creation. 

[baangus]

Mar 18, 2014 19:36:35 GMT aceofcups said:

Or does it connote a deeper commitment in some ways?

This is an interesting question. There is an argument I've come across many times on spirituality forums over the past ten years. Spiritualists argue that religion isn't spirituality. I used to see things that way as well but I don't anymore (after I got over my anger towards one particular group of religious spiritualists who did me wrong). I believe everyone who acknowledges a god, a greater power, a creative source, a higher self, etc., and who attempts to incorporate that understanding in their day-to-day interactions, is on a conscious spiritual path. They are 'committing' to the idea that the human being can attain a higher state of... whatever. And that 'whatever' is specifically defined by each individual's particular spiritual and/or religious beliefs.

And whatever their beliefs, the common 'commitment denominator' I've seen is that people who work in a spiritual way understand the importance of being a happy, loving, kind and caring human being, first and foremost. That applies to both religious people and spiritualists. One's particular belief system is secondary and really doesn't matter at that point.

[markings]

Hi aceofcups. Absolutely, and it's impossible not to be. We are beings of spirit, and spirit is our natural state. The physical plane is the schoolroom within which we eventually come to a conscious recognition of that, over many lifetimes of course.

I disagree with this. The schoolrom analogy must be amongst the most depressing one I can imagine. It doesn't make any sense to me.

I also disagree with the we are beings of spirit thing as popular as it may be. Spirit may indeed be our natural state but iun that there is no being, entity, or thing. Being on a spiritual path is the exploration and acceptance of just that. To die, or practice to die, to this world before one actually dies physically so that when it ultimately happens the nothingness does not come as a shock but as a natural dissolution into it.

The commitment is to the noticing how things interfere with this process, establish and eliminating the cause of the interference.

[baangus]

Mar 19, 2014 10:41:31 GMT markings said:

I disagree with this. The schoolrom analogy must be amongst the most depressing one I can imagine. It doesn't make any sense to me.

I also disagree with the we are beings of spirit thing as popular as it may be.

Hi markings. I speak of spirituality and the spiritual path as joy, happiness and love, and learning to recognize and embrace one's spiritual, eternal and divine nature. That's my message.

You say you find some of my remarks depressing. You then go on to paint a picture of a spiritual reality in which there is no being and no thing, where we die and dissolve into nothingness, and where coming to an understanding of the mechanics of cause and effect is the only real purpose for existence. With regards to your depressing comment, it seems to me you're doing a bit of projecting here.

Disagreeing with something that doesn't make sense is a wonderful opportunity to open up a dialogue. I don't expect people to agree with me, but I do expect a certain level of conversational courtesy. If my comments are depressing to you, that is your issue so please keep it to yourself. Your comments about my post added nothing to the conversation, and have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of your thoughts, and with the message and spiritual vision you shared.

[markings]

The school room analogy, or life as a series of lessons one has to learn, is a common idea. Going through life not even knowing what one is supposed to learn, how and to what end, is what does not make any sense to me. If one wants to belief some adherents of this idea one has to go through life repeatedly until one learns what one has to learn but without ever knowing what one has to learn. So we get punished for our ignorance but it is impossible to become knowledgable about the specific lessons one has to learn. What kind of system is this?

With respect to my ideas, it is far worse than you says because there isn't even cause and effect. There is a common misunderstand with people who think that the nothingness of Buddhism is nihilism. There is plenty of evidence that spiritualities which talk about nothingness are very life affirming because the nothingness relates to the mental-intellectual sphere only, but not to the physical one. The nothingness enhances life because our compulsive thoughts reduce or ideally, stop altogether. With that all speculations and fantasies come to an end and life can unfold naturally. Life is lived, instead of living a thought.

[markings]

Even though I referred to Buddhism and nothingness, I believe that similar ideas are core ingredients in all good spiritual paths. In fact I consider it to be core criteria for the evaluation of such paths.

[baangus]

Mar 19, 2014 12:46:23 GMT markings said:

So we get punished for our ignorance but it is impossible to become knowledgable about the specific lessons one has to learn.

The nothingness enhances life because our compulsive thoughts reduce or ideally, stop altogether. With that all speculations and fantasies come to an end and life can unfold naturally. Life is lived, instead of living a thought.

Well markings, I understand your response now if you relate to the idea of life lessons as something punishable due to one's supposed ignorance. Because that sounds like something a fundamentalist would say and yes, it's a depressing vision. But I certainly never implied that or anything like it. The universe is entirely benevolent. We incarnate because we choose to progress our divine nature. There's no win or lose, or timetable, or even a finite objective in any of that. And on the contrary, I believe one can come to an understanding with regards to specific lessons one has to learn. And it's as simple as meditating, or undergoing a past life regression perhaps, or just following one's heart.

I understand what it is you're getting at with your observation about nothingness, and you made some good points. The fact is though, the opposite is just as true. Instead of nothingness, a person can embrace and nurture a fullness vision of life, creation and existence. And he or she can still learn to allow life to unfold naturally instead of "living a thought" as you said. That's what I'm doing for example; that's the choice I made. It's simply a personal belief perspective, it's not an either-or spiritual certainty.

[sparklekaz]

Hi ace,

A great question ace, and one which I can see has elicited quite a response.

You ask "What Does it mean to be on a Spiritual Path to you?" I cannot ever remember a time when I was not aware of there being something more to the world, then just what I could see with my normal senses. Even if I could not understand what it was, or intellectualize it. I had my first experience of the spiritual world when I was 5. At the time it frightened me, and young as I was, I knew what I saw wasn't a flesh and blood person. I was quite a sickly child, and was ill quite often. My mum used to say I was seeing things because I had a high temperature or half asleep. But I just 'knew' it was more than that.

I was brought up in a Irish Catholic family. I always felt a profound sense of something else going on when I went to church. The ritual, the smell of incense, all moved me and made me feel connected to something vast and unknown, beyond my little self. I could not explain what it was, I just knew. My Grandmother died very suddenly when I was ten years old and the night before her funeral at receiving mass for the body which I attended with the rest of my family. I heard a voice on the wind blowing through the big church softly whisper to me. Do not forget me. I told my mum who said it was my overactive imagination. But my darling grandfather just held my hand and didn't say a word. I know he believed me, but could not bring himself to say anything. A devout Catholic all his life, it was too deeply ingrained in him to discuss anything remotely supernatural. But he didn't tell me off or get upset, he just held my hand. I remember I lost my voice for two weeks after that. The shock of it all, and my experience had a deep affect on me.

As I grew up, I was always drawn to reading anything to do with the spirit world, the soul, what happens when we die. I had a real affinity with anything to do with the Holocaust and the Jewish people. Many times I felt such empathy with them, I felt it was happening or had happened to me. I would look at myself in the mirror, and it was as if my face would morph into something different. The eyes looking back at me were not my eyes. All these strange thoughts and feelings I assumed everyone had them. But I came to realise they didn't. That then made me think there was something wrong with me. I was odd. I cannot remember a time when I was not drawn as if by some invisible force towards anything spiritual. I was in my early teens when I started to feel energy. Whenever someone hurt themselves. I would get this intense pain in my feet. Wierd I know. Then I'd be sitting beside someone who was ill, in pain or hurting emotionally. And I'd get this overwhelming urge to touch them. Later on I came to understand this was me wanting to share healing energy and empathically take away emotional pain. I felt so responsible for others. A confusing and anxious time for me.

It was probably in my early twenties that I became conscious of following a spiritual path. Before then it was an unconscious thing that I only understood in hindsight. I believe we are all on a journey of growth. But I do not think all are aware of it, or ever acknowledge it. That is what I think I did in the end. Consciously acknowledged it. When we do that, I feel that spiritual growth and awareness accelerates. It can happen in different ways. A gradual coming to awareness or a profound epiphany of some kind. Sometimes brought on by years of self abuse, illness or some kind of trauma. I do not think everyone makes a commitment to their spiritual growth. The only analogy I can think of is. We are all innately spiritual. Just as potentially we can all paint, draw, sing or play a musical instrument. The degree to which we develop that gift or ability depends on how much effort and commitment to it we are willing to put in. Some are just born incredibly in tune, and it is something that almost seems too develop by itself. This is why I think we see people at such different places in their spiritual growth. I don't mean that I believe anyone is more advanced or better than anyone else.

I believe that there are lots of different factors involved. Some people seem retain more of their memories or knowledge acquired from past lives. Some are driven by an inner force that seems to be almost outside of themselves and have no choice. Others simply choose not to 'go there'. And then there are those people whose attachment to the physical, material world around them is stronger than anything else, and they are content with that. I don't think there is any right or wrong. Simply what is the right thing for them. For me I have always been driven. It's been ebb and flow. But I can't stop it. Sometimes it can be scary. Spiritual growth has at times taken over my life and I'm constantly drawn towards 'something' as if by a invisible magnet.

Love and light
Kaz

[markings]

In my mind one cannot be unconsciously on the path. Because if one is on the path no matter whether consciously or unconsciously the whole concept of being on the path. I used 'the path' and not 'a path' to highlight that even being on 'a path' means being on a specific path and not just any path.

If one is on a specific path it means one must be conscious of it. Being unconscious means one is on some kind of path, which may not necessarily even be spiritual.

We may all be on some path but a spiritual path requires a choice, not just once but on-going, to search for, or stay on the chosen path. With that choice 'a path' becomes 'the (current) path' for you.

[baangus]

Mar 21, 2014 5:08:31 GMT markings said:

In my mind one cannot be unconsciously on the path. We may all be on some path but a spiritual path requires a choice, not just once but on-going, to search for, or stay on the chosen path.

This is why I specifically pointed out that everything is spirit, and everything we do is spiritual. Once one comes to that understanding, there's no differentiating between conscious spirit being-ness and unconscious spirit being-ness, apart from the observation that one is undertaken in an awake versus slumbering state. But even then, how does one define conscious versus unconscious, and awake versus slumbering?

Who is conscious spiritually, and to what degree are they awake?
Who is asleep, who is on the verge of waking up, and who is hopping out of bed and changing out of their pajamas?
And most important, who can and is going judge all this?

The problem is we try and define spiritual ideas using mental constructs born of our earth-bound intellect. Quantitative and qualitative judgements are easy on the physical plane: build a house and it's very simple to record and catalog one's progress every step along the way. There is Haven't yet begun to build versus All finished and now I can move in. There's also lousy workmanship versus professional-quality job.

That's not how spirit works. There is no doing spirituality the right way versus the wrong way. There is nothing to define or judge with regards to who is just starting out on a spiritual path, who has reached the middle stages of so-called enlightenment, and who has graduated to ascended master status or sainthood or some such thing.

And that's not even bringing individual karma into the equation. We have absolutely no idea how another person's karma and past life specifics play into their present life behaviour and activity. I've read for example that individuals born with disabilities are souls who have made the conscious karmic decision to sacrifice in this lifetime so that others might learn something.

Whether or not that's true, it just goes to show how meaningless it is to judge things as spiritual versus non-spiritual, and to try and label something as the spiritual path. Take for example a person with mental disabilities, who may have made the karmic decision to sacrifice a particular cognitive aspect of their incarnated self, and who as a result is incapable of comprehending spiritual ideas and reading spiritual texts. Is this person spiritual or not? Is this individual on a spiritual path or not?

[baangus]

Which of these individuals is on a spiritual path?

- An atheist who thinks God-talk is for crazy people, whose greatest love is their family, who volunteers and donates to charity, and who greets everyone they meet with a loving smile and kind words.

- A spiritualist who eats health food, who takes classes at the local Enlightenment Center, and who sneers at anyone who doesn't embrace a similar environmentally-friendly and spiritually-conscious approach to life.

- A homeless person who grew up in the welfare system, who has no idea what day of the week it is let alone who's lecturing at the Enlightenment Center tonight, and who catches spiritual glimpses what life could be if they could only overcome their substance-abuse problems.

[markings]

No 1: No. He is on the path of a humanitarian. There is a limited understanding of interaction but not enough to qualify as spiritual.

No 2: No. Because he consistently does things which are anti-spiritual.

No 3: No. He is unconscious of the greater connection. Glimpses are not enough, or in his case not enough to make him want to overcome his drug habit.

[sparklekaz]

The Buddhists believe that we are all on a spiritual path, chosen before our current incarnation. This belief feels right to me. So from this perspective, I still feel that individuals can be on a spiritual path and not be aware of it. So for me personally it makes sense, that for many it will be an 'unconscious act'. Those that are aware or feel conscious of a divine purpose, can if they 'want to' through free will, actively make choices which they feel will align them with this higher purpose.

Many do this through educating themselves. Which might be in a variety of different ways. Whichever way they feel particularly drawn to. Be that through academic study of esoteric subjects which is suited to those who are of a more cerebral or intellectual bent. Or in a more 'hands on' feeling, sensing, intuitive fashion. Who may wish to explore the spiritualist, alternative holistic, energy/natural-healing avenue. The relationship between mind, body and spirit. Choosing, professions and voluntary pursuits that feels natural to them and is is more in-tune with what they believe is their spiritual, humanitarian and environmental beliefs. The word path is only a metaphor, I don't think it serves any real purpose getting caught up in the semantics of the expression.

Personally, I feel whatever way someone chooses to live their life, as long as they are being authentic to themselves, is following their divine purpose. I worry that within the 'so called' spiritual community. There is a kind of, for want of a better word, spiritual snobbery. The esoteric, intuitive, and practical hands on approach all have merit. But I feel an over-emphasis on any one way can be self limiting. It never ceases to surprise me how those who claim to be open minded, spiritually aware and loving can be so intolerant of those who approach their spiritual growth from a different direction to theirs. Even the most enlightened minds I feel can become stagnant, and fall into the ego trap, by believing that everyone else is barking up the wrong tree, and their way is the only way. 'There are many rivers that flow to the ocean'. We are all just trying to make our way home.

Love and light
Kaz

[markings]

What about the nasty people in this world, Hitler and cohorts, Stalin, Mugabe, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden, the Mafia heads, the reckless speculators of the financial markets, the corrupt government and business leaders? Were they and are they all on a spiritual path? If yes, how?

[sparklekaz]

Yes, I believe they all are on a spiritual path. How, I would imagine that in some future incarnation, they will be given the opportunity to evolve and grow. Remember, that we all come in to this world as innocent newborns. The adults we become can to some degree be influenced by our earliest role models, treatment by others and environmental factors. Then there is just the level of evolvement and humanitarian qualities of that person.

You have singled out names from history who committed terrible acts of cruelty and murder. Showed no empathy or compassion for others. I would say that their actions in their lifetimes show that they have a very long way to go in terms of spiritual evolution. I believe over a process of many lifetimes; they will experience what it is like to be on the receiving end of such heinous treatment. To know what it feels like to feel powerless, vulnerable, terrified and robbed of life prematurely. I pray that the experiences teach them empathy and a respect for human life. It might work the other way, and create a karmic pattern of repeating negative behaviour. Who knows. But they will be given the opportunity and choice to change. If this is not true, then is it only the spiritually superior or elitist who are 'allowed' to grow and change? Then that would mean that their is no unconditional love and no endless compassion and forgiveness. Which I cannot believe, as they are to me qualities that embody all that striving to be more spiritual is all about. So yes, I say it again. I truly believe, that we are all on a spiritual path.

For the many villains of history, there are just as many who have showed great love, self sacrifice and service for their fellow man. The only difference between the sinners and the saints, is spiritual growth. We are talking about men/women who embody polar opposites of human behaviour. But to a degree, we are all the same. Not perfect, we make mistakes, sometimes with very serious consequences. I choose to believe, what we are now is not set in stone. That we all are just trying improve and learn. At any moment, there is an opportunity to transform ourselves and rise in stature and spiritual growth. This is what I believe, what feels right to me at this point in my own spiritual development. "Some souls are driven more than others to expand and achieve their potential, but all of us will do so in the end". Quote taken from the book Journey of Souls by Robert Munro

Love and light
Kaz

[cyberangel]

Everyone IS (soul) spirit, foremost. Everyone is human being, secondary.
How I have come to understand it is like this...
Spirit exists before, during and after all life existences.
Human beings cannot exist without spirit (soul).
So in that respect we are all spiritual beings, within the human form.

One must know or realise how to find the balance of the soul spirit and human being. If one can find balance and alignment of the two then one is ‘naturally’ on the spiritual path, whether they are conscious of it or not.



In relation to markings question?

What about the nasty people in this world, Hitler and cohorts, Stalin, Mugabe, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden, the Mafia heads, the reckless speculators of the financial markets, the corrupt government and business leaders? Were they and are they all on a spiritual path? If yes, how?

I have long learned that there are no bad souls, just (unbalanced) human beings.



For me Ace, the "deeper commitment" is not all about the discovery or knowledge of the equilibrium, but making a conscious effort to sustain it



Love and Light

[markings]

I think when we speak of being on spiritual path the common understanding would be one of 'in this life time'. The evaluation has to be made in terms of actions in this life, and only this life.

Furthermore it should be universally applicable and not depend on specific beliefs such as reincarnation, extending the spiritual cycle to potentially the life of the universe. Doing that brings in speculation and connections we cannot see of even comprehend. That is no basis for discussion and possible agreements.

[cyberangel]

I personally think that this Question and Answer thread has gone from a wonderful question and answer format, to now a discussion which is ‘almost’ verging on some scorn like questions! 

It would be lovely to simply read the replies to Ace's question without having to trawl through other leading questions.  I urge people to re-read Ace's question and then kindly offer YOUR OWN answer, and not focus so much on the replies of others, if you want a discussion/debate then why not start your own thread on the discussion forum, and not on the question and answer forum, as rules indicate.  I am not trying to cause offence either just saying it as I see it.

ACE ASKED: What Does it mean to be on a Spiritual Path TO YOU? Is everyone, consciously or unconsciously on it? Or does it connote a deeper commitment in some ways? And if yes to last question ... what are the commitments?

[sparklekaz]

Hi Markings,

How can we talk about being on a spiritual path, if we don't relate it to our spirit/soul? I believe it is the propulsive element within each individual that is behind their desire for spiritual growth. If you take that out of the equation are we saying that the desire to follow a spiritual path is based purely on personality type and intellectual development or cultural and religious backgrounds. Though I believe they are all factors. But the spark that brings all those elements together, in my mind has to be the yearnings of the soul to re-connect and be recogized. To re-awaken us to our true spiritual origins and soul/life purpose.

I can also accept that an individual might feel impelled to look for comfort, relief and some meaning to their lives, if it is difficult and painful one. Indeed for many, that can be the catalyst that drives them at first to look for the higher purpose behind it all. Mankind has always had a spiritual life. Long before we could read and write or articulate our feelings. Every culture had holy men who mediated between the spirit world and man/women. Superstition, religious fervour, would have no impact or influence on any of them, if they had not felt it's hidden influence in their lives, deep inside their 'soul'. Every single culture. Not just a few.

There are so many different ways of expressing ourselves spiritually. Many people these days feel no need to explore that aspect of themselves. I believe a lot of that is connected to the modern world we live in, where we are now taught that everything must be logically explained away or proven to be believed or accepted as a fact. We have become disconnected from our intuitive relationship with the hidden. Though I think it is a cyclical thing, and eventually people realise that modern day life definitely leaves a inner void, a dissatisfaction, which I feel can only be alleviated by some kind of spiritual life. Even if it is just by going to church, or finding a belief path that they feel more suited too or has meaning for them.

We live in a pretty dysfunctional world. The medical profession are at last recognising the connection and link between disease, chronic illnesses and the imbalance between mind, body and spirit. That is why I believe there is a huge growth in holistic therapists and spiritual healers who have risen up, to help try to bridge that problem. Respected psychotherapists such as Dr Brian Weiss and M Scott Peck, have both written at length, granted from different perspectives on this subject. M Scott Peck covers the need for man to have a spiritual life to remain whole and healthy. Brian Weiss about the impact unresolved past life experiences can have on physical and mental health in the present. From having read works by both these authors, it as just reaffirmed my own belief on the importance and influence of soul/spirit interaction on the psyche and on the individual as a 'whole', in the 'here and now'. They are deeply intertwined. So for me I cannot see how we can discuss spirit and spiritual path without including those aspects in the dialogue.

Love and light
Kaz

[baangus]

Mar 23, 2014 10:44:10 GMT sparklekaz said:

How can we talk about being on a spiritual path, if we don't relate it to our spirit/soul? I believe it is the propulsive element within each individual that is behind their desire for spiritual growth. If you take that out of the equation are we saying that the desire to follow a spiritual path is based purely on personality type and intellectual development or cultural and religious backgrounds. Though I believe they are all factors. But the spark that brings all those elements together, in my mind has to be the yearnings of the soul to re-connect and be recogized. To re-awaken us to our true spiritual origins and soul/life purpose.

Hi Kaz. I agree and it can't be emphasized enough. All life, all love, all will, and all desire to learn and understand - whatever one's belief's and knowledge path - is an expression, conscious or unconscious, of the soul's wish to reconnect with spirit and the creative source. We carry the understanding of our divine soul-spirit self with us into incarnation. Individually, that understanding manifests and finds expression in an infinite number of ways, depending on one's karma and life circumstances.

[alvinw3]

I believe to be on a spiritual path, is to seek God again, and to go home again to heaven, earth and the lower worlds is a school to develop Soul and give it indivuality. Being on a spiritual path one is conscious of it, by working its karma off and to stay away from the 5 passionsof the mind, and to do mantras to link up with the Holy Spirit, which will bring out the God qulitys that we have within us, and a true spiritual path has a living Master, one who is a outer and inner Master.. the inner Master knows the way to heaven and has the power from God to link Soul to the sound wave or Holy Spirit to the returning wave to heaven, the first heaven (the Soul Plane)

[mojomojo]

Personally, I think, everyone has the essence of spirit running through them, it is this which gives life, and it is this, which is meant to grow.
Some people are not aware of spirit, and are not aware of any path, but the fact that the essence of spirit is in them, does place them in the game, even though, they may still be standing at the start line, we just have to figure out, how low down the scale, the start line is.
As regards people who have created great atrocities throughout history, the level of spiritual essence running through them is so low as to only maintain life, their vibratory level is so low, that they come from a place of total fear, separation and survival of self, a void will always be filled, we do live in a world of duality.
To that degree, everyone is on the spiritual path, not all are aware of it.
I don't believe we are trying to find our way back, but that we are expanding, ever growing awareness, to find our way back suggests at some stage there is an end, I don't believe there is an end, but a continuous growth, infinite.
Some times words can become limited in what we try to express, the word "all", if GOD is all, how can we go beyond that, once we reach "all "that's it. In this sense we put a limit on GOD, there is no limit, if GOD is the energy of love, energy is ever moving, love is ever expanding, the "all" is continuously growing, and we are at the fore front of this, we are meant to expand and grow, it is our purpose here.
I also believe some have no choice but to be on a spiritual path, life will keep directing them to such, whether it is a result of past life's or not, it is hard to deny spirit, if you have had undeniable experiences throughout your life.
For me personally, the spiritual path is not a choice, it is something I have to entertain 24/7, I have tried to put it down in the past, to live a normal life, to be like everyone else, spirit wasn't having it, the lessons come hard and fast until I'm back on track.
Commitments, to entertain it fully in every day life.

[alvinw3]

It sounds like what most of you are saying is that we are on the spiritual path of reincarnation, the Wheel of eighty fore, were we learn from are mistakes, and develop diferent consciousness, which goes on for 8,400,000 years. May be the wording should be( what does it mean to be on the spiritual path of Liberation so one knows what path is ment by

[tribunalofmercy]

It seems that, on any path walked by Anyone, the last thing to leave us, is Self. It's the attachment that is Deepest the ego, you know? The part of us that drives emotion, individual thinking, that even drives personal belief, and it is not until we Release that 'self' that we truly Transcend All that pulls us in dual directions.


A large part of ego is the desire for Control - a desire which causes us pain when others 'do not understand', because part of our feeling 'in control of ourselves' is strengthened by validation of self by others (the reflection syndrome, lol). To Know that others see things as we do, or if not, that they at Least acknowledge who and where we Are on our paths.

It's amazing how the 'octopus of ego', as a pastor friend of mine once called it, wraps its tentacles around All aspects of our interaction with others. It's also Human, and I would be Lying if I said I did not identify both with control issues and a need for validation.


But as we continue on our path faithfully, not allowing distractions of misunderstanding or other thoughts/feelings to carry us too far off the Mark, we expand to a greater awareness (and hence, acceptance) of All places along the path.


I like the video that ace has put up - the new "Buddha at the Gas Pump" interview with Craig Holliday - because he talks about not one but Two 'awakenings' with many revelations along the way And what we Learn on our unfolding journeys.