ON THE JOURNEY

Every Morning, except Saturday [my non-ritual day] I do some spiritual exercises. I try not to let them become rote, although that is difficult. They mostly have to do with affirmations of our place on this Earth and our awakening. I will be in the bathroom looking in the mirror reciting in my mind or talking in a low voice.

I was doing them this Morning and as happened a couple times lately, Jamie interrupted me. She was just wondering where I was. It irritated me and I answered brusquely. Here I am, attempting to be on a high spiritual plane, talking to God and the Universe and that is how I react.

It reminds me of a story that Nietzsche told. This seeker went to the mountains and studied with Masters and sought the light. After many years he felt he achieved enlightenment. He decided it was time to descend into the world of regular folks. He journeyed down the mountain and entered a marketplace. Someone jostled him in the crowd. It irritated him.

When I was done with my affirmations, I found Jamie and asked her what she wanted. She said, “I just wanted to know where you were.” I replied, “I was in the marketplace.”

Yes, our achievement of a higher place is measured by how considerate and kindly we are to each other not by fancy words or lofty sounding practices.

Enlightenment, or being in the light, means love flows from us all the time. However, just because we see the goal is still in front of us is not reason to be discouraged. We are works in progress and we are like Nietzsche's character.

When we find ourselves being less than we want to be, it is important not to judge ourselves. Our condemnation of ourselves only puts another barrier between us and our goal. All that we need to do is remind ourselves of our original intent to be loving in all situations. We know at our core we are loving human beings. It is only a learned facade or shell that separates us from our true being. Our goal is waking up to who we really are, that is enlightenment.

At some point in our lives we make the intent to be loving in all situations. We are now on the journey. We may have to remind ourselves every day or a hundred times a day to re-affirm our intent. We will make it. Love cannot fail.

Happy Friday!

Love and Peace, Gregg