There are many spiritual paths – some traditional, some modern, and some a combination of both. Whichever you choose and whenever you choose it, there comes a time when you must commit, if you are intent on getting somewhere. If your chosen spiritual path and method is not working for you, look around. Probably nearer than you think is your true path looking you straight in the eye.

You will be in good company. Shakyamuni was Hindu before he became the Buddha, Jesus was a Jew (or a Judean), and the Trappist monk Thomas Merton nearly converted to Zen before he died. If you are prevaricating on your present chosen path, perhaps you should give it a go with all of your heart before you abandon it. Whatever you do my advice is to let your heart choose, not your head, out of a genuine call and impulse toward awakening and the Divine.

Today people mix and match all too readily. From crass remarks like, “I’m into that eastern stuff,” to outright confusion about Hinduism and Buddhism, ACIM and Christianity, or psycho-spiritual psychotherapy and psychiatric medicine the tendency is to jam the tastes of several approaches together and present the finished form as fact rather than a demonstration of limited knowledge.

There is much to learn if you are inclined to find out and be informed, but it is not absolutely essential that a spiritual aspirant does this. What is essential is that the teacher, the teaching, and the practice are engaged with fully and loved passionately. You cannot – not merely should not – be spiritually promiscuous; not if you are serious. The spiritual relationship is by far the most important focus for your loyalty.

A genuine commitment entered into fully brings immediate results. First, relief – amazing relief –  because you are no longer seeking, only ready to work and deepen and get there, with no resistance anymore and no license to delay.

Second, overwhelming energetic engagement, a positive attitude since you have found your way and the energy is released in you which enables you to follow it with guidance and trust.

Third, the choice and the way, which in no way must match your individual preferences, at least not as you expected, present you with the most confronting ego-challenges and release you into profound freedom.

Finally, your character is exaggerated sometimes painfully; it is as if you have become transparent and seen, which brings with it such positive as well as negative exposure.

Relief, energetic engagement, ego-challenges, and character exaggeration are the signs that you have found your spiritual path. The path comprises the three treasures that lead to liberation: the teacher, the teaching, and the practice. Treasure them. They will lead you to the Eternal.

BLOG entry #50