The spiritual path leads to a lot of frustrations. The main reason is we have so many questions, and the answers do not come so easily. However the answers are within us if we really uncover the mystery of our own selves. The more we delve into the mystery of us, the more we can uncover the spiritual truths which we seek.
First, you cannot live life through someone else. It is important to become fully conscious and absorbed in your own life. Life is a school and you are the student. You learn most from your own experiences than another.
It is ok to read about another's experiences and look into wisdom and knowledge from other sources. Certain wisdom will reflect back to you. However always know the main source of wisdom will come within the more you uncover the mystery of the real you. So do not stop at just looking to what the many adepts have said in past. Find your own adept within.
Why does it have to be this way, why so hard? Ultimately, our lives dictate whether we will have a life with Spirit in it, or not. We are here to choose whether we will be a light being, or a dark being. As the name implies we often associate Spirit with the sun, the light, the consciousness which is super. That which shows us the truth and is truth. We are given the choice because Spirit does not want to force themselves upon you. Spirit is offering a gift of Life to you. And if you choose spirit, you receive life. If you do not choose spirit then you will have an empty life, and then later down the road, after you die, your fate is unknown.
Honestly we cannot know what happens to us for absolute certain when we die, but through many wise people of all religions, or even some with no religion, we have a glimmer of hope in choosing the path of Spirit, and of Light. And within us, is a seed which Spirit implanted within us when we were born. We can nurture that seed so we can become spiritual beings. If we do not tend to that seed all will be for naught; and we do not stand a chance at all. There is no hope without nurturing that seed.
I know some are saying, 'why cant I be accepted as I am?' You are accepted and loved. However, if you create a being of darkness instead of light, how can you merge with the light? If you are not trying to develop yourself spiritually, how can you connect with Spirit and evolve on the path?
I want you to imagine you are a person with cement blocks on your feet. You cant swim, you cant walk, you cant fly. It takes movement to get to Spirit Spirt will nudge and probe and prod, but ultimately it is us who must walk toward Spirit. We are supposed to do the work, because this is how we choose. We are left with the premise, choose the world which leads to death, or choose Spirit which leads to life.
Why is the world so depraved? Buddha says craving. And one of the things is we set up shop in the world, and we keep accumulating, as if we will be here forever. Jesus said it is easier for a rich man to get through the eye of a needle, then to enter the kingdom of heaven. It is because when you are rich, you feel you have all you need in the world, and many people who are like this (though not all) do not feel they need spirit. It is more common when we are down on our luck to call out to Spirit. But when you have everything you need, then what is worth striving for?
It is more common for one who truly desires to better their life, to Seek Spirit, then for someone who has it all. Complacency can be a big problem on the path.
But many of us begin the Spiritual journey for various reasons. Loss is one of them. Experiencing a loss which has really ripped at us. A change in life which we may not have been prepared for. A midlife crisis which one asks 'what is this all for anymore?' Lack of satisfaction and frustration with 'doing it your own way' for so long, typically are reasons we look to the Spiritual.
If you got on a Spiritual path, you may have wanted a new life. You realized something was missing. Like a vacant lot which was empty, with no cars for travel, just no way out. You realized the world - while it can offer so much - really did not satisfy. No matter what we accumulate we are never quite satisfied. So we begin to look 'up' and see what is needed to be done.
When we let Spirit in, the trouble begins when we are forced to look into our own darkness. We can feel love, however we can also really feel ashamed, when the light shines on. Spirit is not doing this to point out you are a bad person. But Spirit is trying to show you ways of improving yourself so you can grow and be happy. You cannot be happy walking in the dark. Only the light is going to bring about happiness and joy. Spirit wants us to be happy. It is us who stands in the way of our happiness.
“Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.” - Bruce Lee
How you see light is up to you. Whether you want to call it Spirit, or Consciousness. It really is all the same thing. We need to spiritually awaken to realize the path we are on, and we must see our darkness. Then we work at shining the light in the darkness, and eradicating it.
We cannot pretend to be beings of light. This does not fool spirit. We actually have to become beings of light. Becoming a being of light is not an airy fairy, I am nice to all people and love animals and give to the poor. It cannot be false and we cannot be looking for rewards. Do not get me wrong, doing good is important; however doing it to propose to the world you are a being of light is not enough. You have to do more work to become a being of light.
Why does Spirit want us to become a being of light?
This is a world of darkness. Look around you see it everywhere. Alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals, bad CEOs, people who beat their kids, abusive people and so forth. We go to wars and then we threaten war. Fights break out, people are living in nightmares. However, Spirit works through people, by spreading the Light through people. Ultimately when this light shines, another person's seed is stirred, and they may want this light you have. Then you can let them know where it comes from, and let them know they can have it too if they will make changes in their life and work on it. By showing your light, others begin to see the darkness of the world before their eyes. And they realize they have a choice to. To decide which path to choose, the light or dark path.
I know it sounds a little like Star Wars, but this is the deal a light or dark path. Many to choose from, but we have to make sure we get on the right one.
There are a lot of false ways as well. Some will purport the light, but they are not light. They will make you promises which are outlandish. They will tell you how wonderful you are and try to make you feel good. They may not offer work, but what they want from you is to suck the light out of you and use you. So you must be careful of people like this, who want to rob you of your opportunity to find your light.
In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't. ~Blaise Pascal
This choice is given to us, and it is about trying to make ourselves perfect enough for Spirit, so we can connect with Spirit, and ultimately, beyond this life. Spirit is both light and darkness, but spirit's darkness is much different. I believe I said in here the scripture, God can shut a door and no one can open it, and God can open a door that no one can close. Eventually, by choosing the light, this is our open door. By choosing the darkness, Spirit shuts the door. We create our own darkness and it will be all our own doing. We cannot be lazy. We must be impeccable. We must strive to nurture our seed within and make it grow, so it too, can reach the sun.