subject: The Essentials of GETTING Spiritual (Part 2) - Coming Into Full Presence [print this page] The Essentials of GETTING Spiritual (Part 2) - Coming Into Full Presence
Truth alone and living in truth is what then connects us with reality, life, ourselves, others, as well as "God" the higher Source of all that is.
So how do we get to this integrity? Through self-examination and reflection. This is why self-awareness is always presented as essential to the spiritual path and also why meditation is always recommended as a tool to bring this about.
How do you become more aware of yourself?
Through questioning and examining yourself, time and again. Why do I want...feel...act...this way? What's really going on here with me? with others? with life?
This invites growth and learning. You're humble, eager to learn, eager to truly listen to others and to life itself, pondering what you can learn and how you can grow from any situation.
You're in an on-going state of receptivity and fluid adaptability. A curiosity about life and human experience directs you. There's just one problem.
To grow and learn often hurts...it's uncomfortable...and can call for change...which we don't like.... And so this takes courage!
You see we avoid this kind of questioning and reflecting because we often don't want to face the truth about things because we don't want to have to own up to how we may need to change and take on the responsibility for what's going in us and in our lives. And so we cop out by dumbing out. Very convenient. We do it all the time.
So...yes...it takes a lot of courage to honestly face your fears and shadows...to go within to face the void, the abyss of the aloneness and emptiness that you think is there, the suspicion that you are flawed and unworthy of being loved.
Yet ironically...if you take on the journey...you'll find that love is the heart of the universe and that you are lovable and you can tap into that source of love to give to the world. But to get to this takes some work. Emotional clearing and processing. This is where most people get stuck and stop the journey.
They don't want to get look at some of that yucky stuff inside but really...it isn't as bad as you think.
Now to learn and grow is to be open and receptive to life...and this means that you're fully present...to yourself...others...life. You live with an open heart and potential vulnerability, receptive to truly "being here now."
Now you're in a state of connectedness. With your self, others, life at large. This has huge consequences!
These will be discussed in our next article, The Essentials of GETTING Spiritual (Part 3) The Effects of Living with Full Presence.
Linda Christensen, PhD, teaches at UBC and Douglas College in comparative religion, author and radio host, get her free videos and guide on "The 5 Best Steps to Being Spiritual in Your Daily Life" athttp://www.ConsciousLivingPrograms.com, and register for her free monthly teleseminars on spirituality and related topics.
