So, you have decided to explore your spiritual path. Congratulations! Now, all possibility and opportunity is open to you. A whole new way of life and being awaits. Having said this, it must be your goal to find that which is appropriate for you, given your current level of understanding, experience, and ability. My friends, there is so much available in the world, you cannot help but find what you’re looking for. This will require your patience and willingness, and indeed, a true openness and joyful anticipation. I fully support your effort, and I encourage you to explore anything and everything that comes your way. What you will find initially on your journey is a required curiosity, but also, a necessary caution. A healthy level of skepticism may also be your best friend. With all this said, I have a few suggestions and guidelines you may find helpful in this most important adventure. Let’s take a look.
Spiritual readings and such
When I first got started in my exploration of, shall we say, “alternative ways” of finding my spirituality, I did everything! Tarot, astrology, crystals, channeling, bizarre healing techniques, you name it. If it was something new, I wanted to have the experience and find out more. This is a good thing, and it’s an important attitude and intent you must also have. I think for the most part, we want to know ourselves, we want to know who we are and what our purpose is. But, inevitably, we also want to know what our future has in store for us. Keep in mind, you are in a new space and this makes you vulnerable. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. New experiences lead us to our very self. This may bring you to the doorstep of all the various forms of psychic readings and such. Go for it, that is, if you can afford it! Just like any other group of people within humanity, spiritual teachers, healers, and readers come in all shapes and sizes, and more importantly, there are those that know what they’re doing and those that do not. Remember, if a person claims to be this or that, or claims to have some great ability, or some unique access to truth, you can be certain they do not. It’s ok, it’s all about trial and error here. Just have fun! Recognize that those that can be of the greatest help to you work quietly behind the scenes for the most part. The best healers and teachers have no need to be special or important, they make no fancy claims. As much as you may want to see your future, there are very few human beings who are truly intuitive, or have any ability to predict. Those who do have this capability don’t use it in most cases. Why? Because it is the present they want to make you aware of. Their goal is to help you see who and where you are now, so you can get to the place you want to be. Most of the so-called psychics and readers are indeed quite sensitive, and can feel where you’re at emotionally, but you can do that for yourself. You must also know, my friends, that if anything on the outside is to benefit you, it will require self-awareness on your part. In other words, every teacher or healer can have some value for you, but if you are unwilling or unready, you will not see, you will not hear. I understand you want a significant experience where you can say “Wow, that’s really neat, I didn’t know that!”. Again, the best information, the best answers, are always the simplest ones. Don’t get caught up in the glamour of it all. Be practical, be realistic, and always use common sense.
Workshops and classes
Meditation classes, yoga classes, workshops on healing yourself, self-help lectures of all kinds. There’s a lot out there. Pursue what you’re interested in, and you will find what works for you, even if it is at best temporary. What’s important to realize here is that the more things cost, the less relevant and helpful they will probably be. The best teachers and groups I have found are not of any great wealth. Because of this, they understand there’s no need to charge an arm and a leg for something in order for it to have value and benefit. Just because something is expensive, doesn’t mean it’s somehow magical. My friends, true healing, finding real purpose, understanding truth, is not a magical process. It’s a lot of hard work. This you will certainly know the further you move along. Having said that, what can be learned out there is vast and exciting. But, the most essential thing you will find on your journey are those of like mind and heart along the way. Explore what you wish, and locate a group of your fellow soul brothers and sisters. Believe it or not, this is what you’ve been looking for. They will help you see yourself, know yourself, and indeed help you be more comfortable on your path. Perhaps you could form a group of your own? In any event, I encourage you to meet with these people, whom you do in fact love, on a regular basis. You can explore whatever you would like within this safe space of trusted individuals, and much can be learned. You can grow together.
Religious scripture
If you are more comfortable with a traditional religious approach, that’s perfectly acceptable too. I tend to shy away from these traditions as they stand today, for they lack practical value for the majority. However, truth, meaning, and higher spiritual understanding can be found in this kind of pursuit. If you choose this way, it is a lifelong study and will require much dedication. To help you succeed in this area, you must view religious scripture as highly symbolic in most cases. Deep meditation is the only way to go if you are to correctly perceive this symbolism. In addition, all religious scripture was formulated eons ago, so an understanding of proper context must be your vantage point. Know, as well, the many beautiful religions of our world will undergo great changes in the near future because of the need for practicality. There are many spiritual students who will help bring the value of each forward into current time. Are you one of these? Finding your sense of spirituality along these lines is very difficult, but many have succeeded. If you are so inclined, I fully support you. You may be just the one to shed light on the unfortunate decay of our current religious institutions. If there is will, there is a way.
The teacher
My fellow companions, when you’re just getting started, you’re going to need a little help. Most, if not all, spiritual students find a teacher, a mentor. If you are fortunate and find a group to be with, there will of course be someone leading. Perhaps this leader is one of your teachers. I do say one. No matter how independent you believe you are, you will give your power to this teacher, or some other. You will believe they have all the answers for you. No matter how much you try to avoid it, a dependency will be created. A very painful lesson will ensue. Although this experience is unavoidable in most cases, please remember that the best teachers do not want your power, they want you to find your own. Be cautious, for no matter how evolved someone may appear, they are not you. I encourage you, therefore, to always be honest as to what is really going on inside you and around you. Misplaced power, giving your power and responsibility to another, can set you back many years. You must know, the only spiritual teacher that matters, is the soul living within. A teacher or healer that has your best interests in mind will help you discover this simple reality. All spiritual education that comes from the outside, although necessary for a long time, is temporary in the end. You, my dear friend, are the teacher.
Within and without
The further along you get on the spiritual path, the less help can be obtained from the outside. One day, you will let go and realize that only you have the right answer. You have everything you need. Until then, explore it all! Keep an open mind and an open heart, and you will lead yourself in the right direction. No matter how isolated you feel, there are many just like you. I know you will find them. Be with them, for they will help you see yourself. Be with them, for they are exactly the mirror you require. And, choose the ones closest to your own development, for you will have an easier go of things all around. A group of minds is better than one. You see, it is the sharing that is the path. This is your spiritual adventure.
Be curious
Be thoughtful
Be loving
Be courageous
Be you
All my love and support, be well