For many years of my life, I thought the spiritual path had something to do with following one of the major world religions or pursuing an Eastern practice. I even thought it had something to do with morality and ethics.
Today my comprehension of the spiritual path has changed completely. Instead of the complexity of any of the disciplines to becoming a good person, I have found that the path is simple. In fact, some of the greatest atheists have followed it better than many theists. An example that comes to mind is the famous British Philosopher Bertrand Russell, who lived an impeccable life of wisdom, compassion, and grace..
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That is the spiritual path. Everything else--all the theology, philosophy, and practices--lead you to that singular ideal.
Physically, do you like to be murdered, wounded, beaten, or raped? Emotionally, do you like to be humiliated, disenfranchised, betrayed, abandoned, disrespected, alienated, and cast aside? Mentally, do you like to be cheated, swindled, lied to, vilified or misinformed?
Of course not. In fact, your whole body just cringes at the thought of such mishap.
Yet, this is what we do to others. If we are truly savage, we abuse others physically. If a little more sophisticated, we abuse others mentally and emotionally.
And in this process we abuse ourselves.
In actuality, there is no enemy, for we are all connected at the collective unconscious, and the misperception that "they" are different from "us" has been the historical cause of most human suffering. Often this abuse is perpetuated from the collective rules referred to as ethics and morality. What is ethical and moral is defined by who is making up the rules.
Yet the bell that tolls for another, also tolls for thee.
Why do we act in a way that injures others?
It is because we feel a deep void inside of us and we lash out like a wounded animal. We relate to the world from the wounds of apathy, grief, fear, lust, anger, and pride. By striking out, however, we only deepen our own anguish. Although we are only trying to survive, we achieve only more peril.
A spiritual person, however, comes from a completely different perspective. He or she is motivated by feelings of courage, acceptance, and peace.
What does the spiritual path have to do with good psychology? Everything. A sound mind in a sound body.
Can the spiritual path be defined in an even simpler way? Yes. It can be defined as love.
When you love, love, love--you'll be happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise.
The opposite of grief, misery, and unending travail is the spiritual path. While many disciplines may lead to it, the heart will show you the way. Once we shed our habitual narcissism, then the way to courage, acceptance, and peace becomes possible.
Resource Box
Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Ca., 15 years ago and now resides in Denver, Colorado. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. discover how to create a remarkable life
Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.
Culver prom limo ..We see it all the time in people's lives some... Read More
When we feel that something has gone wrong and are... Read More
What is it with angels and digital clocks? I fell... Read More
My thoughts can get a little edgy at night. Possibly... Read More
Mother Nature has this uncanny tendency to turn upon herself... Read More
I am not enlightened, and yet,... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More
70% of people who send me feedback at http://www.insideoutmusic.net tell... Read More
For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
The good that Paul writes about is a commitment of... Read More
I have a long-term goal--a life-long goal really--to develop the... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS... Read More
Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our... Read More
After more than three decades of church ministry, I have... Read More
Love...it's a deep emotion. Sometimes we say it in jest... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?"... Read More
(Channelled)I have been trying to ignore this title "A Man... Read More
Listen to the sound of silence. Enjoy the peace and... Read More
At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
In a recent case study which I also summarized in... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..I seemed to have lost my heart. Now this is... Read More
There is so much going on in the world around... Read More
Spiritual healing of the sick in Christ has many Christians... Read More
An act of selflessness is the highest expression of selfishness... Read More
When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
The time we spend on earth is very short when... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
Most Tarot decks consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana,... Read More
I was in the bank's vault. The Brink's armored truck... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
"I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the... Read More
I can truly say to this day of August, 2005,... Read More
Some of us might hear from time to time that... Read More
Everyone is busy nowadays. It's hard to find time for... Read More
There's nothing wrong with wanting to improve ourselves either outwardly... Read More
I am not enlightened, and yet,... Read More
The word means different things to different people. Is it... Read More
Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More
With another year full of family events coming upon us,... Read More
I'm not sure Paul had the Japanese culture in mind... Read More
We all need space, we all need time to ourselves.In... Read More
Of the many individuals who were touched through the ministry... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and... Read More
Spirituality |