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[O109]On The Spiritual Path

by Saleem Rana, Sal

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.

Embrace the concept and ideology of thankfulness. Develop an ?attitude of gratitude? at all times. Think about this statement. ?If you are 'truly' grateful for the abundance in your life you cannot help but be awake.? Because to be truly grateful you have to be aware of your abundance and aware of how your abundance flowed into your life.

True gratitude is a pervasive on-going feeling that underlies everything you do and everything you experience. You are grateful for the good, the bad, and the ugly. You aren't judging whether something is right or wrong before you give thanks. You understand that there is no right or wrong. There only is 'what is.'

Labeling something right or wrong limits your perspective of the event and keeps you from using it to its fullest potential. You revert back to the idea that you give thanks for the 'right' things and condemn the 'wrong' things. You forget that what shows up in your life is whatever you created or co-created.

You relieve yourself of the responsibilities of your creations. You are not aware that you are the creator of your life. So you not only do not give thanks but you can't understand why life is such a struggle.

Change all of that right now. Develop and instill in your being an 'attitude of gratitude.' Not just for what you think serves you, but for everything and everybody that shows up in your life. Be grateful for it all. From the tragic illness, to the loss of your job, to the loss of your separation mentality. Bless it all.

These aren't rewards and punishments. These are your creations. Bless and accept them. See what message they hold for you and observe if it serves you. If it doesn't serve you then choose again and create that. And be equally as grateful when that shows up in your life.

Unfortunately, most of us spend a lot of time being ungrateful for what doesn't show up in our lives. We spend a lot of time moaning that we don't have enough money. Ladies and gentlemen, if lack of money is the most important thing dominating your thinking, you will never develop an 'attitude of gratitude.' In fact, you will never have enough money.

Think about it. Your thoughts are that you don't have enough money. This is what you tell yourself and this is what you create, lack of money. Don't blame the universe or God. You created it with your creative thought that says, ?I don't have enough money.? Get it? The universe hears you and says, ?Okay, you don't have enough money.? You created it and then you condemn your creation.

My suggestion to you is to be grateful for what you do have. You have a lot to be grateful for. Look around you and start taking stock of the abundance that you are surrounded with. And don't include money in this inventory, unless you choose to.

You are blessed to live in a country that affords you unbelievable opportunity and a standard of living that is there for the taking. The house or apartment where you live is palatial to most of the people of the world. You eat from a selection of food that is endless. You have more material possessions than you could use in three lifetimes.

But beyond this is the awesomeness of this planet which is a treasure trove of natural wonder. When you walk in nature you cannot help but give thanks for the beauty and diversity of the Garden of Eden that we are blessed to occupy. You have a lot to be grateful for. Wake up and be grateful, or just be grateful and then wake up.

As I said before, ?when you are 'truly' grateful you can't help but be awake.? So use the tool of eternal gratitude and you will create your awakening.

Article Source : alternative choices healing center

About Author

Both Saleem Rana & Richard D. Blackstone are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Saleem Rana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Travel and Leisure and Careers and Job Hunting. Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world.