subject: Finding God – 3 Obstacles and How You Can Get Past Them [print this page] Finding God 3 Obstacles and How You Can Get Past Them
We all want a life of meaning and purpose. We want understanding that brings an unshakable feeling of peace and security. Many try to find meaning in a relationship with God, but why do so few enjoy this level of joy? Ask yourself if any of these obstacles are standing in your way, then find out how to overcome them.
We don't try to find God because we think God can't be found. We see a world of chaos and assume that either God doesn't exist or doesn't care. We reason that if God could be found, the world would be a better place.
Overcome the obstacle: Thousands have found God, and when they have, they found out the world was a very different place than they thought it was. They found that they could live a life of peace and joy despite the nonstop problems that appear to swirl around us. The perennial philosophy, a golden thread of spiritual thought that has run through virtually all cultures, eras and areas of the globe for the last 25 centuries teaches:
Everyone possesses the ability to experience Ultimate Reality.
Our highest purpose in life is finding and experiencing Ultimate Reality.
If we think God can't be found, we will be right. When we understand that not only can we find God, it's our purpose in life, we will be right, and we will succeed.
We refuse to give up our own attachments and aversions. This is really two obstacles in one. When we cling to our world view, our brain is so busy thinking of arguments against new information we won't really hear any of it. Have you ever tried to pour more water into a full bucket? A full mind works the same way.
Overcome the obstacle: The perennial philosophy recommends that we search for God with "empty hands." This means we're willing to acknowledge that there may be a greater truth out there that we will only be able to grasp when we've emptied our minds of our attachments and aversions. To do this, we must understand that saying "I don't know" is an act of courage.
Society has conditioned our minds to accept misperceptions as fact. From the moment we're born, we begin soaking in the world view that's accepted in our society. This world view becomes so ingrained we hardly notice it and rarely question it. That's exactly why it's one of the greatest obstacles to finding God.
Overcome the obstacle: Every spiritual master has discovered that this world is not at all what they thought it was. The perennial philosophy recommends that seekers have a "pure heart." This doesn't mean we need to purify ourselves. In means we're willing to open our heart to truth, even if that truth is something extraordinary. In the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Jesus told his followers they would be astonished when they found God. Why? Because Ultimate Reality is not at all what they had been taught to expect. But Jesus also told them that if they were able to accept this astonishing information, they would join him in conquering the world. Unless we're willing to look at the obstacles that stand in the way of our finding God, we won't experience the unlimited peace, joy and security we're all entitled to.
