The Spiritual Journey

[sparklekaz]

The above quote by Ram Dass has always been one of my favourites. And for me epitomizes the purpose and ethos of our group. We come here to share our thoughts, our ideas and beliefs. A place where we can be a 'sounding board' for each other. To learn from each other. And I for one have often had my eyes opened, my spiritual life enriched, by the words of another, and been given a glimpse of life from a different perspective. For that I am always grateful.

Albert Einstein said "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." I have often pondered on the meaning of these words, and thought about what he meant by the mysterious. I have come to the conclusion, that what he is talking about, is the unknown, the unexplainable. We each have our own interpretation of what that means. For some it is their relationship with their God; The creator or Divine Intelligence, call it what you will. For others it is connected to the infinite mind; Spontaneous intuitive leaps - mans infinite intellectual potential. Or, the ability I believe we all have, for manifesting powers of extrasensory perception, in its many different forms. For someone else, it can simply be the sense of awe and respect they feel when observing the natural world, and the way in which it expresses itself; Existing, even in the most inhospitable of places.

Then there is the magic and power that can be found in our personal relationships. Be that with lovers, family and friends. And yes even with our pets. Love, is an incredibly powerful force, that can affect every aspect of our lives. People have fought for love, died for love. Love has been responsible for the most incredible acts of selfless bravery, and self-sacrifice. Not just for those they love, but for strangers - done in the spirit of love for humanity. Yes, the mysterious can manifest itself in a multitude of ways. And though many have tried to explain these wondrous things away, it is still something that challenges people to fully explain.

I believe that in those moments when an individual creates something, or performs an act of utter selflessness and unconditional love, they are in those moments connected to the 'un-explainable', a powerful spirit presence that manifests itself in our human forms. I have often been asked why I believe that 'something else' is present in my life. When most things can be explained away in some rational form. Albert Einstein also said "The important thing is not to stop questioning; curiosity has its own reason for existing". How can anyone explain or define, what is so undefinable. How do you share with someone the feeling and sense that you have deep inside. Have you ever tried to explain why you feel as you do? How would you try to translate into words, what is so very much a sensory and spiritual experience? I would love to hear what other people think. What are the ways in which you perceive this mysterious force? When you follow your truth, what does that mean to you. And in what ways do you access that truth?

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

I think Einstein put it into words so well. "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious." It's so true. And how could we know those beautiful experience, the mysterious? I think by the flash of insight which is:  
"A way of proceeding from the known to the unknown. A way of cognition in which the identifying qualities of one thing are transferred in an instantaneous, almost unconscious, flash of insight to some other thing that is, by remoteness or complexity, unknown to us."
-Nisbet R.
There were so many great discoveries in science that happened this way, by the flash of insight. One of the famous Aha! in science was Archimedes's Eureka ["I have found (it)"]. Most spiritual persons also have been familiar with it for a very long time. Sometimes it's called, "temporary enlightenment".
The following story doesn't mean to belittle its mystery. On the contrary, I do admire it from my whole heart. It's just I want to tell it in the light way.
Jack has tried to flirt with Jane in every way without success. No matter how hard he tried, she is never interested in him. During that time, there were so many girls passed by and tried to flirt with him. But he was never interested. What is the secret of life for Jack? Should he stop trying to win Jane's heart and just accepts one of those girls who is ready to marry him? Kind of accepting "as good as he could get" motto.
I believe that the beautiful of life is its mystery. We will never know for sure which one is really right for us. Sometimes, we have to try 1,000 times, like Edison, before we could find what we are looking for. And it's worth trying. But sometimes, the answer is already right in front of us all the time.    
This reminds me of a quote I like from T. S. Eliot:
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

[donq]

Hi again Karen,
I'm sure you already heard about Mother Teresa's "Do It Anyway". I will quote it here again only some lines:

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

There was a time when I didn't get it. Sure, I love to be honest and sincere all the time. But the truth was, and I learned it in the very hard way, people were not honest and sincere. Worse than that, they might deceive you, if you were (as Mother Teresa said. So, if I knew in advance that my honesty and sincerity might cause (or even encourage) people deceiving me, then, why on earth didn't I stop spoiling them this way? I mean with some particular people, not all of them.

And if I spent years to create something and knew in advance that people would not understand nor appreciate my work, then, why did I bother to create it in the first place? To create something so that people will have something to destroy for run? lol

But somehow, after I've been honest and sincere for a long time, it becomes part of me, my habit Though people have deceived me so many times because of my honesty and sincerity, but at some point it doesn't matter to me any more. I don't feel the difference. I mean it's okay if they don't deceive me, but it's still okay if they do. On the other words, their actions/reactions don't effect me any more. It's just good that I'm myself and doing what I like (being honesty and sincerity) even it will not be good BECAUSE OF me. On the other words, anything outside, anything, doesn't effect my inside.

I still spend years create my work, just beauase it makes me feel good. And even others would destroy overnight, it doesn't make a difference. Again, I already felt good creating my work. I've already done my part. People would destroy it or not could not effect me. I cannot NOT create. I cannot NOT being honest and sincere. etc.
I think this is a spiritual way you were talking on this thread. It's like the good feeling of sweating after our (good) hard working. It's good both for physical, mental and spiritual aspects. We can be happy with ourselves no matter what happens outside. As Mother Teresa put it in the last lines:  

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway. 

P.S. I haven't eat at KFC for a while. Yesterday I did that and felt so good, even I ate alone. Chicken nuggets and french fries really got along so well with ketchup. Yummy! And after that I went to drink a fresh coffee at nearby coffee shop. It was in the open air and the views were so good. Wow! That very moment in my life, what other thing I wanted more than these? lol

[mojomojo]

There have been many cases of people's spiritual journeys been documented, some travel, some seek isolation, there seems to be many ways, and people will tell you to follow your own path.
But a lot of the time, people realise, there was no where to go, it was here all the time.
Maybe, we are guilty of falling in love with the journey, which prevents us from ever reaching the goal.
We can be shown signposts by spiritual teachers and books etc, and they do have there place, but how many times do you have to read about the same sign posts, and be told of which route to take.
It seems there are more people wrapped around signposts, than at the destination.




Mojo.

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty and Robert,

Thank you both for your great replies. One of the reasons I wrote this post, was because I've recently found myself trying to justify to someone else, why I believe that there are some things that just cannot be explained. And that is ok. I get it that some people would rather find a rational or logical explanation for something. And to be honest, I try to do the same. But there are some things that are very difficult to explain to another person, if they have not had the same experience, or 'felt' the same things. And that is ok too. But I often find that instead of agreeing to disagree, they want to dismiss and diminish the things that I've said as if they were a 'figment of my imagination'. In other words, if it doesn't exist for them, then it just doesn't exist!

I used the quotes above for two reasons. One, because I love it; and two to highlight the fact, that even a great scientist like Einstein, who no one can doubt had a brilliant logical mind, still alluded to a greater force, a mystery that was active around us, that could not be explained. That some of his great inventions and insights would frequently come to him in a dream. Whereby he would work backwards. Basically start with the finished product and figure out how it worked. Some might say that in sleep, his conscious mind got out of the way, so his subconscious could work, create unimpeded. But still, the great leaps in insight he received while sleeping he believed came from a higher source.

Monty, you said "I'm sure you already heard about Mother Teresa's "Do It Anyway". I will quote it here again only some lines: If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway." Yes, I have heard this quote before, as I love reading about Mother Theresa. A woman who was truly amazing and with enough love for the whole world inside her. To emulate her, would be a truly wonderful thing. I try my best. But it can be hard. I think for both of us Monty, we are naturally givers and compassionate. We don't try to be this way, because 'this is just the way we are'. It is as natural as breathing. But sometimes, a voice in our heads says, 'why bother, people do not appreciate what you do'. But the truth is, we don't do it for that reason. We do it because, it is who we are. We might have a little moan to ourselves inside. But nothing will change. We will still go on in the same way. So I just accept it. And now when the little voice pops up, I just tell it to go away. That's my ego. And when we do what we do, it comes from a place of love, not ego. Ego is always trying to get in on the action isn't it.

Robert, you said "Maybe, we are guilty of falling in love with the journey, which prevents us from ever reaching the goal. We can be shown signposts by spiritual teachers and books etc, and they do have there place, but how many times do you have to read about the same sign posts, and be told of which route to take. It seems there are more people wrapped around signposts, than at the destination." Its funny, you've said the opposite to what I normally hear. That people are so focused on their destination. Reaching their journey's end, that they miss all the sights along the way. I think that though it is good to have a goal, for me the journey is where all the growth occurs. Those little sign-posts, or detours, that take us of in random directions. Those are the little jewels I often find that journey's often throw up so unexpectedly. Haven't you ever set off with the intention of doing something, and ended up doing something totally different? And on reflection, have you ever thought. "I'd never have thought of doing that before, but having the opportunity randomly come up. I am so glad I did".

For me personally, I wonder if there is such a thing as a destination. I see my whole life as a journey, and though we have have resting points along the way. Life is always moving us forward. Not necessarily geographically, but internally. The whole purpose of travel metaphorically speaking, is to get us to move out of our comfort zones. To try new things. To meet new people, and enjoy new experiences, so that we can discover what had been till that point, unknown potential lurking inside of us. I wonder how many wonderful musicians and artists there are in the world, who have never played an instrument, or picked up a paint brush. Until that opportunity is given to them, they will never know what they are capable of. Every time I pick up a book, or have a conversation with another person, I am basically inviting the universe, that hidden power, to widen my horizons, or to act as a catalyst for much needed change. Or to help me become aware of something inside I still have to offer or learn. Obviously, not every new experience will do this, but at least I can say I have tried, looked at and explored all possibilities.

Love and light
Kaz

[krsnaraja]

There`s no such thing as spiritual journey as long as we are still inside this body. The body goes from here to there. It does things eat, drink, sleep, defend, offense, mating, defecating, urinating, farting, hearing, listening, reading, thinking, feeling and willing. The body is connected to the brain-mind-ego. Above is intelligence. Above intelligence is the spirit-soul. The latter has nothing to do with the body, mind and intelligence.


The spirit-soul is part and parcel of the Super spirit-soul. Both are transcendental. They can not be described. Both are atomic particles, so to speak. Try imagine two sparks traveling from here to there and to everywhere like UFO`s, St Anselmo`s fire. Both bereft of bodies, they can travel anywhere to outer space, to inner space. They can pass through the thickest of walls. Clothe them with a body, the spirit-soul and Super spirit-soul we can see grossly with form.


Do you believe, the spirit-soul and Super spirit-soul are present inside a one-cell microbe? Although there`s no proof yet, it`s deemed the spirit-soul is the RNA and the Super spirit-soul is the DNA. Do you believe that? Of course not! Because we are led into thinking that one is not suppose to believe without proof.


So, it all comes down to personality. What is that makes a person tick? While hating and envying someone whom we only know from what has been written?


So, what is it that makes a journey spiritual? It is a trek from within. When we go inside ourselves and see what we are made of. We get a chest x-ray and ultrasound of our whole selves to see if the organs are healthy not cancerous. This journey is the real thing. We have to find out ourselves what blood types we have. We have to know our genetic make ups. We have to view our minds through brain scans. We have to know the reading of our blood pressures if we are hypertensive.or not. Take an EKG, so on so forth.



Spiritual journeys are mind-boggling. They can be nightmares or pleasant ones. Yet when the body is dying all I know if I chant Krishna`s name with sincerity, I go immediately to that world where Krishna dwells. So, why should I do that when I am still well? Before I die I start knowing who is Krishna by reading scriptures about Krishna. Listen from people who is Krishna conscious and what they know about Krishna. To me, this Krishna consciousness thing is the real spiritual journey one should try journeying.. There`s no other way, no other way says Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

[mojomojo]

A young child of nine years, watched his mother, she was torn apart with grief, having just recently buried her two year old son, the second young child that was taken from her.
Her grief and pain poured out from her, at times she would stoop, unable to carry the defeating blow.
With an innocent child's knowing an willingness to help his mother, he plucked up the courage, approached his mother and said,
"his not really gone mammy, his not really dead."
It was at this moment, that a child of nine, learned, that he could not tell others, what he knew, that he was different from others, and not in a good way.

In my beginning years, the old Wiccan lady told me, " there will be many side roads for you, but these will be distractions, don't get caught up in them."
I have never tried to develop, anything that has come my way, not that I think it stops progress, but has the potential to take one off course, these are the tributaries (sign posts), and not the full current of source.

I agree totally, it never ends and there is a certain wonderful beauty in that, but feel one must get into university, to be exposed to true wisdom, if any of that makes sense.



Mojo.

[donq]

Hi Karen,

I kind of agree with Robert as the following reasons:
I think Robert said it the other way around sense. I mean he was summing up what happened (which he might not agree with it).  
1. We were told so many times to follow our own path.
2. (We were told that) The means and the ends are one. The mean is the end. The journey is here all the time as it's also the destination.
3. Anyway, maybe we finally believe that the mean is the end just because we are falling in love with the journey, instead of the destination.
4. Besides, there are too many signposts to follow. Or it's like we fall in love with spiritual shopping fashion. There are more people attach to the spiritual shopping until ignore the purpose of the shopping; the purpose of signposts; and the purpose of the spiritual journey.   

[krsnaraja]

The church procession is a spiritual journey. That  God`s devotees take a path that starts from church and ends at the church.

[mojomojo]

If we believe the destination is in the future, it will always be in the future, and we will never arrive.
If we believe it is here and now, then it is accessible to us here and now, all that stops us is our attachments and reluctance to let go.
Any journey, is the mind leading us on a detour, leading us to think we are making progress, when a lot of the time we come full circle, and realise it was here all the time.
If God is everything, why would we believe, it is not here but somewhere else, journey suggests to go somewhere else.
The future is also a concept of the mind, there is only now.
Therefore it can only be here and now.
Fear and attachment is the only bridge.
Please excuse my ignorance, by not greeting first,
Hi to everyone.




Mojo.

[krsnaraja]

Emptying the mind of garbage. From here, I wait for this muse to put in my mind words, views, pictures which in no end entertains me. This muse once it begins to tell from within things I usually in no position write them down become clearly manifest. She inspires me this muse to post more of the same. Though sometimes they vary, the colors black and white. The rainbows come earlier or later.


What`s really in me, I can not help myself write all sorts of nonsense? That for others who read them give any sense at all? It`s funny knowing what you write insignificantly is material to someone. So, I keep on posting and posting one after another with the hope these articles connect to somebody searching after truth or a clue confirming it does work!?


This spirit-inspiration in a song, a phrase, a metaphor, an acronym, a poem, a sentence, an idea posted randomly perhaps is of value to others if the purpose help seekers find their way home back to God.