Most Challenging Aspect of the Spiritual Path
Contemplating my spiritual progress and the seemingly difficult part of the practice.
Any form of progress usually encounters resistance or challenges that eventually shape our succeeding path. Progress occurs when we leave a stagnant state. There's no such thing as negative or downward progress; it is always positive, even if we cannot see it yet. All elements in the universe are bound to progress, at varying rates, of course. The craziest and most challenging part is facing an obstacle capable of keeping you stuck in a loop, where you might believe you’re making progress, but in fact, you’re just travelling in circles.
For the past few weeks, being stuck in my spiritual progress, I felt it was reasonable to verbalise the stagnancy and allow nature to guide me through the most challenging part of my spiritual journey. (so far!)
Discipline, determination, faith, surrender, consistency, hope, introspection, mindfulness, humility, focus, solitude, and detachment are some of the most necessary tools for spiritual progress. Nature will continue creating similar instances until we learn the lesson and grasp the tools to progress. Some identify it sooner and move on, while others complain about the way of life.
Learning these tools is challenging but doesn't come close to what I'm referring to.
They say that nature reveals new lessons and new paths when the time is right. A few weeks ago, this “most challenging aspect” held no significant relevance for me; but now, suddenly, it has become a priority to understand its essence through experience. I suppose now is the right time for me to explore it.
What is it really that I am referring to?
Well, different belief systems refer to it in distinct ways; what I subscribe to is “being able to see the divine in every object and being.” It means having the same reverence towards everything as I do for the supreme being, which in the end is all one: the formless.
This. This is precisely the most difficult spiritual practice for me. The same me who gets frustrated when people blabber mindlessly, who is always morally vigilant, and who feels vastly different from everyone around—how can that same me see the divine element that resides in everyone?
That’s not to say we should become doormats or turn a blind eye to what's wrong. It's more about the ability to see the white light, the hint of divinity, and the glimpse of the supreme self amidst the perceived darkness.
A mere intellectual understanding can only take me so far.
To see everyone through the same lens of divinity requires the utmost pure energy, mindfulness, self-correction, introspection, and non-negotiable divine grace. As a divine task cannot simply be accomplished through human efforts.
It might be easier to simply not do it and just be. But when has anyone ever progressed within their comfort zone? Everyone has their path, and it may not be necessary for everyone to practice this—yet this has been revealed to be of utmost importance to me.
Call it nature’s cryptic play! Until it reveals further instructions, I’ll continue treading the path I know best.
A moment at a time.
Love what you do!!!! Let's go for a walk https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NHc58YFQBOsPAO8T3iJTm?si=rKAQNpYdQWm0aBcXIasWkA