Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Way of Enlightened Spirituality

Many mystical variations of different religions around the world and throughout history have shared the concept of spirituality as a way of life.  For instance, the Tao means the Way.  Early Christians were called The Way (cf. Acts 9:2).  Many people of different faith traditions consider themselves to be on a spiritual journey or spiritual path, valuing the journey as well as the destination.

How can we understand spirituality as the Way, or Tao?  One way is simply by looking at the way we live life, whether we are focused on material well-being, or focused on virtues like kindness, generosity, and compassion.  We can also look at how we spend our time.  Do we pursue pleasure for ourselves, or also pay attention to the needs of others?  Do we simply focus on making our own lives better and ignore the needs of a hungry and hurting world, or do we actively engage in making this world a better place for everyone?  Do we raise our thoughts to higher thoughts such as appreciation, gratitude, reflection, honesty, and empathy?  Do we choose language and communications that express respect, patience, reverence for life, love, and trust?

How do we go from one set of priorities and a lack of spiritual thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions to more loving and positive spiritual values, thoughts, and actions?  Being aware of our own choices, even how we think, how we believe, what we value, how we speak and act is the first step.  The second step is to become aware as we are thinking, believing, and making more overt choices.  The third step is to desire to choose thoughts, beliefs, words, and actions that are positive and loving, not just for ourselves, but for life in general.

Fourth, we need to tune into divine guidance to become more aware of The Way as it is present in front of us at each moment. Tuning into divine wavelengths provides the guidance system for The Way, or the Tao.  We will receive a greater sense of clarity and guidance when we will "be still and know that God is God," or calm down enough to connect with one's Higher Self, if you will.

Prayer is an important aspect of asking for guidance.  Visualization can be one form of prayer.  Meditation and meditative silence to listen for that guidance  is extremely helpful as well.  Prayer and meditation can form, for each of us, the GPS along The Way.  I have heard this spiritual GPS referred to as "God's Positioning Service".                                              

We also need to listen to and watch the world around us in order to be aware of what is needed in each given moment. That constant awareness of the needs of others as well as awareness of what is needed in each situation is essential to The Way.  This is an important aspect of being present in the moment, and of being mindful, just taking these lovely practices one step further and also becoming aware of what is needed. It is possible simply to ask one's Higher Self, or God, "What is needed at this time by those who are present here."                          

When we are focused instead on simply what is important to us, that is, when we are focused on our own desires with attachment to the outcome, we actually can interfere with The Way.    

Holding the intention to be tuned up as well as outward is  the first step in attaining this awareness.  Intention is everything when it comes to accomplishing things through spiritual energy.  Good intentions never pave the road to hell; it is inactivity that gets us there.

May your path be filled with the light, the love, and the laughter that abundantly blesses yourself and others along The Way.
Peace,
Carol

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