| For many years of my life, I thought the | | | | all connected at the collective unconscious, |
| spiritual path had something to do with | | | | and the misperception that "they" are |
| following one of the major world religions or | | | | different from "us" has been the historical |
| pursuing an Eastern practice. I even thought | | | | cause of most human suffering. Often this |
| it had something to do with morality and | | | | abuse is perpetuated from the collective |
| ethics. | | | | rules referred to as ethics and morality. |
| | | | What is ethical and moral is defined by who |
| Today my comprehension of the spiritual path | | | | is making up the rules. |
| has changed completely. Instead of the | | | | |
| complexity of any of the disciplines to | | | | Yet the bell that tolls for another, also |
| becoming a good person, I have found that the | | | | tolls for thee. |
| path is simple. In fact, some of the greatest | | | | |
| atheists have followed it better than many | | | | Why do we act in a way that injures others? |
| theists. An example that comes to mind is the | | | | |
| famous British Philosopher Bertrand Russell, | | | | It is because we feel a deep void inside of |
| who lived an impeccable life of wisdom, | | | | us and we lash out like a wounded animal. We |
| compassion, and grace.. | | | | relate to the world from the wounds of |
| | | | apathy, grief, fear, lust, anger, and pride. |
| "Do unto others as you would have them do | | | | By striking out, however, we only deepen our |
| unto you." That is the spiritual path. | | | | own anguish. Although we are only trying to |
| Everything else--all the theology, | | | | survive, we achieve only more peril. |
| philosophy, and practices--lead you to that | | | | |
| singular ideal. | | | | A spiritual person, however, comes from a |
| | | | completely different perspective. He or she |
| Physically, do you like to be murdered, | | | | is motivated by feelings of courage, |
| wounded, beaten, or raped? Emotionally, do | | | | acceptance, and peace. |
| you like to be humiliated, disenfranchised, | | | | |
| betrayed, abandoned, disrespected, alienated, | | | | What does the spiritual path have to do with |
| and cast aside? Mentally, do you like to be | | | | good psychology? Everything. A sound mind in |
| cheated, swindled, lied to, vilified or | | | | a sound body. |
| misinformed? | | | | |
| | | | Can the spiritual path be defined in an even |
| Of course not. In fact, your whole body just | | | | simpler way? Yes. It can be defined as love. |
| cringes at the thought of such mishap. | | | | |
| | | | When you love, love, love--you'll be happy, |
| Yet, this is what we do to others. If we are | | | | healthy, wealthy, and wise. |
| truly savage, we abuse others physically. If | | | | |
| a little more sophisticated, we abuse others | | | | The opposite of grief, misery, and unending |
| mentally and emotionally. | | | | travail is the spiritual path. While many |
| | | | disciplines may lead to it, the heart will |
| And in this process we abuse ourselves. | | | | show you the way. Once we shed our habitual |
| | | | narcissism, then the way to courage, |
| In actuality, there is no enemy, for we are | | | | acceptance, and peace becomes possible. |