Hi there,
Its been about a week since I posted, but I’m back now.
Today I would like to say something about the start of our spiritual journey.
It is in this place, here in the material world, where it can be truly said we start our spiritual journey. It is here, in this world of opposites, where we develop
- a sense of seperateness,
- a sense of free will and
- a sense of relationship for the first time.
Having fallen out of our divine birth place, this material universe give us our first chance to choose the next step in our development for ourselves.
What is that first step?
Various different spiritual traditions have offered different answers.
Traditional Kabbalists often suggested that the first step is to master your own life in this material world, before zooming off into spiritual worlds. We must master, balance and purify the four elements of this world, of our daily lives, before taking a step into more abstract spiritual realities. A man or woman who cannot apply his / her will, manage his /her emotions and thoughts, and keep his / her body in good health has no right to place one foot in the spiritual worlds. A man or woman who does not have a healthy body, enough to eat, a good amount of financial resources etc. will always find that their spiritual development is limited. If you truly want to pursue a spiritual path without first dealing with these basic worldly aspects, I would suggest you join some kind of monastic order or tradition, where there is a common community that can look after your material needs.
To walk in the spiritual worlds requires sacrifice and great effort, and cannot be fully achieved if you are continously distracted by your body, your thoughts, your emotions, your finances, or any aspect of your physical life. By saying this I may sound very harsh, but there are very few spiritual teachers out there willing to say this! All the qualities you need to be able to progress spiritually, can, at first, be obtained in your life here, as part of your daly life. You do not have to have great mystical experiences to progress at the beginning of your journey. These will come with time. This world is as much a part of the greater plan, the greater spiritual reality than any other. Its purpose is to create a sense of seperation, and of duality, so that we can develop ego and become free, and choose to love the Divine Beloved. It is within the struggles of this world that we develop our own essence, our own ability to choose, to stand in relationship, to love.
You must first learn the lessons of this world, master its energies and become as free as possible from the whims of nature and circumstance. Then, when you have mastered the material universe, you will loose your interest in it, you will transcend it, and a spiritual door will be opened to you. By that time, when the door is opened, you will have a strong will, balanced emotions, constuctive thoughts, sufficient finances, shelter and food, so that nothing will distract you from what lies at the other side of the door.
Ask yourself:
- Am I fit and do I have a good fitness habbits?
- Do I eat healthy food and can I control my appetite?
- Can I manage my thoughts, set goals and manage my emotions?
- Are all my material needs met? do I have suffient shelter and space for me, my family and my spiritual work?
- Am I financially secure? Am I a good investor and have I mastered my finances?
If you answered no to any of these questions, first address these issues before aiming to enter more abstract spiritual worlds, and forsaking all for the world of Spirit.
And remember…This world is as much part of your spiritual journey and of the Divine as any other.
If what I say is true, what then about Jesus’ teachings to first seek the kingdom of God, and all else will be given to you?
We will look at that during my next post.
Have a great week.
A.V.O.
