In looking back at my process over the years I have noticed an interesting phenomenon that I refer to as "using my path to go against myself." This behavior may be a surprise to many of you?.but as programmed ego minds we have been trained to use our life situations to go against ourselves since we were small. We have learned from those around us to use other people to raise our blood pressure, prove that we are not good enough, affirm that we will never be loved or that life is unfair. Unfortunately, the list of way we use others to hurt ourselves is endless.
I often see how many times people get fanatical about changing their lives at the beginning of their spiritual path. They see some positive change in their lives and want the process to be finished right now - as if instant awareness is an available commodity. They spend all their free time journaling, writing, recapitulating, going to workshops, and traveling on spiritual journeys, but they have no balance in their lives and are not having much fun. It is important to create enjoyment in life, because we don't know if we'll be around tomorrow.
We have a workaholic society due to our puritanical beliefs about work - for example: "Idol hands are the devils playground." It behooves us to look carefully at how we are creating the dream of our lives right now. Is there balance in our lives? Are we really happy? Has our path become a burden or dreadful? Or even worse?has our spiritual path started to look like a full time job?
I am not saying that parts of your path will not be painful or challenging to look at. Challenge and pain are natural in the course of any quest to transform. But, at the same time, if we engage in self-judgment or create rigid schedules for our journaling, our path will become a continuation of our "doings." Doings are activities we engage in that are programmed behaviors that we perform without awareness. We normally "do" things to abuse ourselves without consciousness, and we don't want our path to be an opportunity to perpetuate that abuse.
For example, we want to be the best student, to look good in our teacher's eyes so we can have approval and love. I remember having this exact experience, wanting my teacher's approval for what I was doing. Of course, the beauty of it all was that he couldn't care less. All my teacher wanted was for me to be happy, and to get over my need to link my self-worth to him or anyone else! Freedom is never having to impress anyone ever again because you are completely content and in love with yourself.
Your programmed mind will always make at least two proposals for any situation you are presented with. There will always be at least one proposal that appears seemingly logical but will actually be harmful to you. Carefully observe the logic your mind uses to justify everything you choose to do. It may tell you that if you do a long list of things you will heal yourself and be a good student. Another part of your mind will tell you, "I am tired, I can do this tomorrow." So which proposal do you listen to when both are in opposition to one another, and both are the result of programmed internal dialogue? Well, this is a most challenging question! The best advice is not to listen to either proposal because you cannot trust your mind. You may think one of those statements is the real you speaking but the real you cannot speak with words.
Listen to your heart. If you are simply exhausted then rest. If you are exhausted everyday, then there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed first. I would ask, "Why are you tired all the time?" or "Are you creating stress in your life?" If the answer to these questions is "yes," change that first so you can have the time for your spiritual activities. Then your body will be happy and you will feel balanced. You will be able to focus on your process with more clarity if your body is rested and well cared for.
Watch the "logic" that your mind proposes to get you to go against yourself. Consider the justifications your mind is using to hold the status quo, sabotage you, and keep you from happiness. Be wary, be watchful and do not believe yourself under any circumstances! And above all do not empower your feisty program with the ability to use your path to go against yourself!
Sheri Rosenthal DPM is a master Toltec teacher and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom. Having trained with don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, she currently takes students on spiritual journeys, works with personal apprentices and enjoys being extremely happy. You can reach her at info@sherirosenthal.com or info@sherirosenthal.com
one time home cleaning Morton Grove ..AN ARISTOCRATIC UPBRINGING:There are many people who write about sex... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
An act of selflessness is the highest expression of selfishness... Read More
Whenever we have the opportunity to make human assessments, the... Read More
Most of us know that the universe - God's universe... Read More
James 1:23-24Anyone who listens to the word but does not... Read More
God made humans in his image but these days very... Read More
Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like... Read More
'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom... Read More
Years ago no matter where I lived, whether a house... Read More
Journal ExpressionsIf you haven't already done so, please start keeping... Read More
Be still, and know that I am God; I will... Read More
The essence of the Christian faith is the good news... Read More
A few men and women are universally successful but such... Read More
As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More
Matthew 3:7-10 John Rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees7 But when... Read More
The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our... Read More
Jesus said, "No one can see the Kingdom of Heaven... Read More
I would like to tell you the story of a... Read More
Universal Law is an invisible influence in every individual's life,... Read More
"A common jar of clay can never become a noble... Read More
Uh, oh. I'm in trouble now. I found God. Now... Read More
Once you become saved and born again, the Bible tells... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
Do you ever feel that what you read in some... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Glencoe ..Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
"It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown.... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
So I met a friend recently and we went to... Read More
The following article is an exploration of the Spring holiday... Read More
The Birth of Jesus Christ18 Now the birth of Jesus... Read More
We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
AN ARISTOCRATIC UPBRINGING:There are many people who write about sex... Read More
What does it mean to be comfortable in your own... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
Angels, those divine beings of love and light, are here... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on... Read More
We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
Do you realize you are creating your future by the... Read More
Today we do not experience great manifestations of God as... Read More
Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More
The spiritually dead church. Now, I am not talking about... Read More
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More
Several years ago after I presented a workshop entitled "Spirituality... Read More
You know that the Bible tells us a lot about... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
Spirituality |