OK, say that you’ve been following a spiritual path for a while. That spiritual path could be any of the following (or something else):
- Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_Eightfold_Path]
- Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_Exercises_of_Ignatius_of_Loyola]
- A Course In Miracles [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Course_in_Miracles]
- The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Purpose_Driven_Life]
These paths have quite a bit of similarity. Each day these paths include:
- Reading a short passage on the topic at hand
- Meditation, reflection, or discernment on how that topic manifests itself in your life
- Recommended set of actions to take that day
Once you are on the spiritual path you have a realization that you are always at the beginning. Each day is a new day, rejoice and be glad in it. Just as today’s cleanliness can’t rely on yesterday’s shower your spiritual fitness for today is dependent upon what you are doing today to stay on the higher path.
Nothing is there to force you to take the higher path. You can give into temptation and follow the lower path. That path is fraught with mental and emotional suffering. You have a choice, you’ve always had a choice. Once you are on the spiritual path you are reminded that you have a choice. Choose wisely and your suffering can end. Whether you call it serenity, or calm, or peace, or salvation it’s all the same. The end of suffering is about accepting the present moment as it is, and responding to it in a calm, mature, serene manner.
Don’t be upset that you are at the beginning of your spiritual journey. We all are. Each day we are born anew. Start walking the spiritual path. Follow the Yellow Brick Road, great things await you.
You must log in to post a comment.