Spiritual Realization
Lesson 8: A "path" with heart
1. Walking a Spiritual "Path"
2. Opening to Receiving
3. A Simple Way
Exercise One
4. Meditation On the Inner Light
Exercise Two
5. The Three Movements
Exercise Three
6. Power Moves
Exercise Four
7. For the Love of God
1. Walking a Spiritual "Path"
We are all walking a path, whether we know it or not. You are moving through your life by making choices that seem right for you. And, in our modern society, you are most likely to evaluate the success of the choices you make in terms of the outer material world.
You are walking through the world. Do you feel that you are walking a spiritual "path"? Once again, in our society, we tend to evaluate the success of our spiritual walk in terms of outer things: going to services, following doctrine, learning chapter and verse.
There is a more personal "path" in life that is available to all of us. It is a "path" with heart. This means a way to walk through the world — and to walk spiritually — not with the mind, but the heart. We are not saying to abandon reason or understanding, but to give the deeper understanding and experience of the heart a chance to develop.
We are too "mental" in our society, in our work, our relationships, our recreations, our healing approaches, and our spirituality. This isolates us and tends to build up ego, illusion, and worldly desire. There is a great need for more heart: deeper truth, appreciation, acknowledgment, compassion, and love.
It is part of various spiritual traditions that as we deepen our experience of our inner self, our heart begins to open — both in us and towards others. This is the basis of the compassion and caring that we develop for others. The illusions of separation, our selfish desires, and the willingness to ignore the suffering of others, are no longer tolerable to us. Our heart opens, and the suffering of others touches us deeply. They are not so separate or distant from us after all.
We may begin to be aware of how the suffering of others is similar, and part of our own suffering. We are somehow interconnected in a very fundamental way. It is not so trivial or superficial as being a matter of race, religion, nationality, sex, culture, or common beliefs. There is something in people on a deeper level, which we can feel in our hearts, that speaks to what we have in common on the deepest levels.
Clearly, this openness of the heart is necessary for true spirituality. That doesn't mean you need to go around loving everyone, or imagining that everyone loves you. You need to be more discerning than that. There are people who have the worst intentions, and who do the worst things in relation to others — it would not be good to fail to discern the true nature and intentions of others in relation to you, or to project your illusions about how loving and good and perfect everyone is. That is simply not the case. Too often, those who follow a path defined as "heart" are really on a path devoid of mind; they mistakenly give up any ability to discern for themselves.
We can have an open heart, and be willing to love, and experience the deeper sense of understanding, compassion, and caring that dwell within our own hearts. That does not depend upon anyone else, but you. And it does not mean you become more emotional, less discerning, or all touchy-feely. The heart is a place of balance, and it gives you balance as you walk through life.
2. Opening to Receiving
The essence of spiritual realization and progress is opening to receive, within you.
You can know all kinds of doctrine and dogma, accept all the answers you have been taught or told by various authorities, and believe you are living a moral life, without ever opening to receive the gift of Spirit — without opening to spirit, within you.
If you place value in what is outside you, and see it as some kind of spiritual "source" — and that includes the process of memorizing chapter and verse of scripture, and reciting it like a parrot — you may not have found God, within you. You may conceptualize it, you may hold the promise of it, and you may act self-righteously according to religious dictates, but you are not following the God of your heart.
This takes something different.
It takes an act of surrender, an act of opening to the Divine, a willingness to receive.
That process is not the same as "learning," or "going to services," or engaging in spiritual practices. It is a direct connection with the Divine, in you, such that you are not doing anything other than allowing the Divine to do what it needs to do with you, for you, to you. This is a transformational experience, which you do not control. All you can do is get your "lower self" (your ego-emotional worldly identity) out of the way, and open to the Divine so that you may receive. It is a humbling of yourself, but not a disempowerment.
Until you learn to do that, you have not taken the spiritual directives you have received to heart. You have not begun to live from that place, in your heart.
Opening to receiving is not about telling God what you want (or praying to ask for all the things that you want) and then sitting back waiting for God to perform for you, to give you what you want. Even if you believe God is there to give you what you want, the idea that God is at your service, to serve your (generally illusory) needs, is immature at best.
Various New Age philosophies teach "deservingness": you deserve everything, everything you want, everything you fantasize about, every form of riches, endless passionate sex, and so on. And they declare that "god" or "the universe" is there to give it to you. You just need to go for it, and be willing to receive. That is not what we are talking about here; that is a total distortion of the process of spiritual surrender and opening to receive.
If you wish to come closer to the True God, or True Source, you must begin to realize that there is not anything inherently of value in sustaining or feeding your illusions, fantasies, and worldly desires. That does not bring you any closer to a Greater Reality, or the Divine. That is not receiving of the Divine spirit. It is something different.
There are many false spiritual teachings which equate materialism with spirituality, or which declare that material blessing is the proof of spiritual connection with God. That is simply not true. It is a teaching which appeals to the most egotistical, materialistic, or deluded aspect of our lives, seeking to rationalize and glorify greed. It is not the case that the "the universe" has infinite abundance and it is all there for you, for your taking. A simple pair of jogging shoes that you take for granted, made by a name brand label you wish to wear, may be made by child labor in the most oppressive work conditions, in some other country. You may imagine "it is all good," because you desire all sorts of things, and have no consciousness of the suffering it may cause in other people's lives. America uses an enormous amount of the world's energy resources to fuel its egotism, materialism, artificial needs, and wasteful consumption, polluting the world at a far greater rate than any other country. There is a price to pay for taking whatever we egotistically want from the world, whether we pay for it or others do. There is a spiritual price as well.
If there is any true spirituality, it cannot be based in causing or rationalizing suffering or harm to anyone. And, if that is what we believe, then we need to be aware of how we practice that.
One way to practice this is to begin to find your center, within you, a place from which you can be strong in what is right, good, and true for you — your own heart. Receiving begins with an open heart, and a clearer sense of your own self.
3. A Simple Way
There is the Way of the spirit, and the way of the world, and they have nothing in common. Being shaped and tossed about by the world, is unfulfilling. The way of the world is like a mirage oasis from which you cannot quench your thirst or ever be satisfied. That lower path comes from and leads to greater illusion, falsehood, wrong, and darkness. The higher path comes from and returns to Source, truth, goodness, and Light. It is a better choice to take your direction from the inner spirit, not the outer world. Following the guidance of spirit within, helps you to find your way and live more fully as you.
There is a place to stand, within you — your true self — where you can deal with everything in the world around you, from a place of inner strength, wisdom, peace, love, and power. You can find a place of balance, the courage to question things, know what is right for you, and act from there.
Here is a simple Way.
It is simply acknowledging and connecting with the Highest within you.
Exercise One: This is an exercise in
feeling, so please use words you feel comfortable
with. Phrases such as "the Divine,"
"God," "Higher Power," "Spirit"
or "My Higher Self" allow you to accept that there is
something more to you than what you may see. Feel the
deepness within you.
Simply close your eyes. Take a few slow, deep breaths.
Place your right hand over your heart, and mentally say,
"God is no further from me than my hand on my chest."
Take a breath. Mentally say, "God is closer to me
than my own breath."
Take a breath, and relax on the exhale. Mentally say,
and get the feeling of, "God is with me now."
Breathe.
Sit there with that feeling, that presence, that sense of
the inner being in a place of grace. Take a minute or two.
When you are ready, gently open your eyes.
This is a simple and powerful technique, and you can do it any time to have a clearer connection with the Highest in you — the Source of wisdom, peace, love, and Light. It is right there.
It is simply your awareness of Being.
What you are truly looking for is within you, now. Honor it. Practice listening to truth, more deeply within you. Learn what it feels like, to resonate with truth in your own heart. And that experience will grow and grow. That is the extent of it. You don't have to follow any dogma, only the God of your heart. And, if you are not religious, that is not a problem. Just don't let your beliefs get between you and the simple goodness, truth, love, and peace in your heart. We call that "the God of your heart," but use whatever words you prefer, such as, perhaps, "goodness" or "conscience" or "inner-directedness," to honor that inner experience. You must not let anyone or anything get between you and the God of your heart, whether they are a president, a pope, or anyone else. For all those people who may wonder, "Where in the world is God?" we say: God is right there in your heart. For all of those who wonder, "Where is the Truth?" we say: the truth is not "out there," but in your own heart. Knowing that isn't enough; you have to live that Way. It takes practice.
4. Meditation On the Inner Light
Meditation is about being, being who you truly are, in the highest sense.
Being is something we take for granted in life; we seldom experience being or knowing who we truly are. Instead, we are always doing, doing. Doing takes the place of, and overshadows, simply being. If we are so-called human beings, when do we find the time to simply be, or to be human? Very rarely, especially as the pace of modern life keeps accelerating, worldly ambition and striving replace self-actualization, materialism replaces spiritual awareness, and programming, conditioning, and indoctrination take the place of self-awareness, self-direction, and self-realization.
The qualities of true beingness include love, power, honesty, wisdom, peace, perseverance, and glory (of the divine source). And these are the exact qualities that are enlivened, appreciated, and expressed more fully when one gives oneself the chance to simply be — without doing.
One of the best ways to do this is to practice getting centered in yourself, or by doing a simple meditation exercise. Meditation is simply turning within, taking some time away from doing, to appreciate simply being. It allows a reconnection with the inner being, and a fuller expression of the inner spiritual qualities. You will find that you can think more clearly, act more rightly, and perceive more clearly when you take time to be. Remember who you are, be who you truly are, within, and act that way, always. Let go of any undue attachment to the world. It is not your true lifeline; it only sustains the wrong in you, and the false you (the ego). Welcome the inner presence of truth, love, simplicity, goodness, light, and higher being.
While it may be possible to just begin meditation at any time, it is often easier if you prepare for meditation, and get yourself in the proper frame of mind. If your intention is to take a little time to withdraw from the stresses, pressure, and problems of the outer world, and turn within, then you may wish to do a couple of things to help you along in that direction. For example, it may be helpful to do any of the following (see what works for you): go somewhere that you won't be interrupted for 10-20 minutes; turn off the phone; loosen your clothing (especially your belt or tie) or wear something comfortable; put on a little soft, relaxing music; possibly burn a little incense (find a scent that you find soothing, not overpowering); sit comfortably, perhaps in a favorite chair or recliner; stretch a little bit; if you notice tension in your body, gently rub those spots; read a little of something that you find inspirational, something that brings you closer to the truth, love, and light within; say a prayer to acknowledge the higher power of good that you wish to unfold within you. Again, find what works for you, remembering that these are only suggestions to get in the right frame of mind; this not the meditation itself. That follows.
Exercise Two: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and
relax. Let your weight settle comfortably in your seat.
Take a few deep, slow breaths, and relax on the exhale.
Picture, sense, feel, or imagine yourself surrounded by a
bright white light, which is both cleansing and protecting
you. When you are ready, turn your attention within you.
You may find it helpful to focus in the middle of your chest,
at your heart center.
Now, see, visualize, feel or imagine a bright clear ball
of light in the middle of your chest; it may be bright blue,
gold, or white. See what feels right for you. Imagine
this light having all of the spiritual qualities you wish to
experience within you: love, peace, wisdom, purity, goodness,
and so on. It is filling you with these spiritual qualities,
more and more.
Quietly sit like this for about 10-20 minutes. And let
the world go by. Don't force yourself to ignore the
outer world, sense impressions, or thoughts. Just be aware
of them if they come, and let them pass by as if you are
watching them in a movie. Whatever comes up, just watch it
go by. Simply take the time to sit quietly and be with your
self. When you are through, bring the white light around you
again, come back gently, and take a minute or so before you
slowly open your eyes.
Some people find it very hard to just sit quietly for ten minutes, especially when they are used to constant sensory stimulation. If that is the case, you may wish to play some quiet, gentle music in the background as you sit. That is better than trying to occupy your mind with thoughts as you meditate, or being impatient and stopping. Give yourself a chance to become a bit more comfortable and familiar with your own calm, quiet, centered, inner being.
If you prefer, you can do a more active form of meditation, which follows.
5. The Three Movements
We have discussed meditation practice, previously. Here is a combined passive and active meditation, integrating the inner centered self with outward expression.
There are three basic movements, or body positions, which favor the experience of being centered. The physical centering practice supports a clearer experience of being mentally, emotionally, and spiritually centered. They can all be done sitting or standing, as you prefer, though the first movement tends to be better performed sitting, the second one is equally simple either way, and the third movement may be better performed standing.
You may wish to learn and do the first movement, then add the second, and then do all three together.
Exercise Three:
FIRST MOVEMENT
The first movement is simply and gently moving your
right hand so that it is over your heart. The position
does not need to be exact, or to correspond to the position
of your physical heart. It is okay if you place your hand
more toward the center of the upper chest. This feels most
comfortable for many people.
You can do this with your eyes open or closed, but you
may find the movement towards your inner center is simpler
and easier if your eyes are closed. It is not just the
physical movement we are doing, but moving towards a more
subtle and full experience of our inner self, what we feel
inside, and who we feel ourselves to be. This is much more
than the physical body or physical movement. But the
physical movement facilitates the inner experience unfolding.
Once you have moved into this position, you can
"move" more into your heart. This means having
self-awareness, being aware of yourself (generally within
your physical body, or the boundaries of your personal space,
extending around your body). In this position, we call
upon the higher aspect of our self, the deeper self, spirit,
or the divine, however you conceive of the essence of who you
truly are. We acknowledge that this is who we truly are,
inside. We are the inner spirit, consciousness, or
being. We are non-physical beings in physical bodies.
We are not bodies that have spirits; we are spirits that have
bodies. This is who we are.
SECOND MOVEMENT
The second movement is as follows: gently take your
right hand from over your heart, and hold it in front of
where it just was, about an inch or so from your chest, with
the palm facing down, relaxed. At the same time, move your
left hand so that it is about an inch or so away from your
lower abdomen, an inch or so below your navel, palm facing
upwards. Let the shoulders and arms relax, and allow the
hands to relax rather than being tight. If you wish, you
can picture yourself holding a sphere, or a ball of energy,
and get the feel of holding this between your hands, which
remain in their position away from each other.
You can bring your awareness to this space between your
facing hands, being aware of what it feels like to put your
attention on your upper hand, the space between, and the
lower hand. Some people prefer to allow their awareness to
settle at one of these positions, others may feel the whole
space encompassed by the hands, extending within the body
like a big energy sphere.
You can hold this position for a few minutes, with eyes
closed, and let your body and your breathing relax. Let go
of tensions, worries, doubts, fears. Realize that you are
in your center, your own power. This is the place to
"stand" — in your center — from which you
can deal with all of the many influences, pressures, forces,
or demands of the outer world. Your center may be felt at
the level of your upper hand, at the level of the heart, or
perhaps midway between your hands, or, perhaps at the level
of your lower hand, at the navel. You will feel more
"full" in this area, within you. Your center is
actually within your body, although your hands are simply
placed close to it.
THIRD MOVEMENT
The third movement is usually more powerful if done
standing. If you have stable balance you can do it with
your eyes closed. Place your feet at least shoulder width
apart, or slightly more. Locate your balance, so that you
are not leaning too far forward, backwards, to the left or
right. Feel your weight settle comfortably on your feet,
in a stable position.
Gently move both hands so that they are in front of
your upper chest, palms together, elbows relaxed and facing
downwards. Be aware of your sense of your own personal
space. This is the space not only within your body where
you feel you "are," but a space which extends at
least two feet all around your body, with an egg shape or a
sphere if you prefer.
As you begin this movement you may find that you are
withdrawn into some part of your body, such as, perhaps, your
head. Or you may have the sense of your center, in the
heart area, mid body, or at the navel area. It does not
matter where this place is that you feel "you" are,
but it is helpful if you choose to be in that place which you
identify as your strong and stable center. It is not in
your head, no matter how used you may be to being there.
When in doubt, put your attention on the area of the heart,
in the middle of your upper chest. Imagine yourself
centered, calm, and at ease, there.
The movement here is a strong one, but it is still done
in a relaxed manner. You are going to be claiming your
space, your personal space. You are going to be extending
yourself, your energy, your presence, your awareness, and
your power into your own space. Maybe you haven't done
this before, or done this directly and intentionally. Now
you will.
With your eyes open (or closed if you prefer), take a
deep breath and as you exhale feel yourself filled with your
own power. Allow yourself to bring your power more fully
into you, your body, and your personal space. Picture your
energy and power moving to your hands so that they can move
that energy with them as they move. Now, slowly but with
strong intent and power, move each hand away from you to
either side of your body, at the same height, and imagine
that you are pushing against a weight on both sides. You
can feel that weight, but you are able to push your hands
out. Let your hands come to rest before they are stiff,
before they are fully extended, so that there is still a bit
of relaxation in your arms.
As you do this movement, affirm that you are pushing
everything out of your personal space that is not in
accordance with your highest purpose in living. Tell
yourself, and affirm, that you are pushing out of your space
anything and everything that would negate you, harm you,
limit you, or upset you.
You are not suppressing these things within you.
That is not your intent. Rather, you are removing them
from your space by your clear intent, by refusing to accept
them in your personal space. No one has a right to put
anything into your personal space that you do not wish to be
there. You do not need to accept anyone's negativity
towards you, anyone's hurtful behavior, any diminishment
of your self via pressure, expectations, or demands. You
can keep — or push — all of those things out of your
personal space. You do not need to accept any form of
abuse, whether mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual.
You can push it out of your space, and reclaim your own
space and your own power. Do it.
Some people find it helpful to mentally say or
outwardly vocalize an affirmation of your self as you do
this, repeatedly, such as "I reclaim my power, in my own
space." Simply return your hands to their position in
front of your chest, take a deep breath, and extend them with
your power as you slowly exhale. You can do this third
movement a number of times, as you affirm you are pushing the
boundaries of your true self outwards to the boundaries of
your personal space.
Realize, you don't have to retreat or hide somewhere in a small part of your space or body, or in your head. You can allow your awareness, sense of self, presence, and power to extend more fully. The more fully you can be in your own personal space, feeling confident, strong, balanced, and powerful, the more you can act in the world from a place of true centeredness rather than reactiveness.
You may find that this place to "stand" allows you to deal with everything and everyone outside you more effectively, in a way that is more true to who are you. You can assert yourself from here, without having to get into anger, resentment, or blame. You can do what you feel is right, good, and true for you, without having to seek outer confirmation, agreement, or approval.
You can be more who you truly are.
When you are done, see yourself surrounded by your own protective energy field, an egg-shape or sphere of pure white energy. It surrounds you and fills you. It is your own energy. Affirm that nothing will penetrate your energy that is not in accordance with your highest good. So be it.
You can do these three movements daily, when you have a bit of time for yourself. If you don't have time for yourself, you need to make some time for your self. Or simply do the movements before you bathe, and imagine you are taking a "spiritual" bath for your self.
6. Power Moves
There is a lot of power in movement, where you seek alignment with the highest aspect of your self, and the Divine, right here in your body. These are further exercises for grounding yourself and connecting with spirit.
When we speak of "heart," we do not mean being overly sensitive and passive. Rather, we are connecting with the power of the heart, to live more fully in our sense of who we are, and to push the world back. We do not invite the world to come rushing in, or give up our sense of individuality or our personal boundaries. Rather, we strengthen them.
To increase your sense of claiming your own space, you can begin with your palms together in front of your chest, and then raise one palm above your head while you bring the other palm down by your side. Feel the extension of your energy above and below you, and your balance center in the middle. Your center — and attention — remains in the middle of your chest while you do the exercise. It helps to breathe a bit more deeply and slowly than usual, as you are moving.
To further increase your sense of connection with spirit before you meditate or pray or engage in any other spiritual practice, you can begin with your palms together in front of your chest, and then move each palm to your side, so your palms are facing towards you, one on either side of your body, in front of your shoulders, with your elbows bent and pointing downward, relaxed. Allow your energy or awareness to rise, if it does, to the middle or top of your head. Otherwise, allow your attention to remain in the middle of your chest. Be receptive towards, and open to, the highest aspect of your self.
Another powerful position for both hands is over the heart, in the upper middle part of the chest.
Exercise Four: You can choose whichever hand position
feels most comfortable for you. Place one hand over your
solar plexus and the other over your heart, or place both
hands, one over the other, over your heart. Close your
eyes, take a few deep breaths, and relax. Mentally affirm,
"My heart is open and healed and free." Keep
repeating this at a gentle pace which seems right for you.
Pause after you mentally say this, take a deep breath, relax,
and allow yourself to
feel this, in your heart.
When you have a sense of peace with this process, you
can mentally affirm, "I am open and healed and free,
now." Again, keep repeating this mentally, pausing
after each affirmation, taking a deep breath, relaxing, and
allowing yourself to
feel this, in your heart, in your being.
When you feel that you are done, you can gently open
your eyes.
You can do this exercise often. The affirmation simply says you are integrating this quality of openness, healing, and freedom into your life, as a part of who you are and wish to be. It may not come about all at once, but it is very worthwhile to continue to practice this exercise. You will notice when you come to a place where this simply feels true for you, and real. And it will not matter what the outer circumstances of your life have been or may be. This spiritual realization will take precedence. It will be more real and true to you.
7. For the Love of God
"I love you. I have always loved you. I have not
forsaken you; I have not forgotten you for a moment. I have
reached out to you, through the illusions of time and space, and I
am there for you, now, in your own heart. If you seek Truth, you
seek me. If you welcome the Light that shines on your Way, you
welcome me. If you accept and live in the Love in your own
heart, you dwell in me, forever."
— God
God said that. No, you will not find that passage in any "book." It is what the True God says to you, at each and every moment of your life, in your heart. Have you ever heard that message? Or, have you been looking for God's "word" in some book, somewhere out there — rather than somewhere in there, in you?
How would you live differently, if you knew — more than you knew anything else — that God loved you? What would you do for the love of God?
What if there wasn't anything you had to do, to merit the love of God? What if all you had to "do" was to accept that love, and return it?
As we go through this world, we have endless motivations, desires, wishes. We have so much to do, that we forget to take time to be. We do not take enough time to be with God.
The things we pursue in life — money, success, authority, status, relationships, and so on — none of these is a replacement for having a relationship with our True Source. Think about everything you want, and understand what it is you really want: you want to experience a place of fulfillment, peace, joy, and love within you. You don't really want what you think you want, as much as you want to experience those qualities within you. That inner experience is the true goal.
So, why put it off? Why ignore it? Why go through life pursuing everything without realizing what it is you really want? That is living unconsciously.
The more awareness you bring to your life, your choices, your relationships, the more you realize what purpose, meaning, or value there may be in them. The same is true of your relationship with God. The more attention you put on that, the more it is enlivened in your experience.
You don't have to go on a long roundabout route to come to the love of God. You can come to it directly, because you really don't have to go anywhere at all to receive it.
If there is one given, in all of creation, it is the love of God.
Many people have such poor relationships with their physical parents, that they have no role model for having a relationship with a truly loving Father-Mother God. Were your parents a perfect model of love, peace, wisdom, nurturing, goodness, and happiness? Also, it may be hard to relate to the love of a True God, when the divine is so grossly misrepresented in religious tradition. For ages, people have erroneously been in relationship with a mean, angry, vengeful "god" or "gods." And so they have never felt deserving of the love of the True God.
We don't need to live our lives trying to pacify a mean and vengeful "god," or to "earn" the love of the True loving God — our Source. We don't have to earn the love of our True Father-Mother God.
We don't need to balance our relationship with the forces of spiritual darkness and light, or try to become "worthy" of living in the Light. We don't have to prove ourselves worthy of our Source.
We simply need to step out of relationship with that which oppresses us and separates us from God, and enter a direct relationship with our True Source.
And, we can do that now.
Maybe we couldn't in the past. Maybe it was too hard, too remote a possibility, too unimaginable in a world of suffering. But it is real, now. It is a real choice, here, now.
All you need to do is to realize what the love of God is, that it has always been there for you, that it has never gone away. And come back to that complete love of you.
What would be different, if you were to live your life from there?
You would be willing to open your heart to the greatest love of all. You would accept the presence and power of the divine, within you. And you would not let anything or anyone get between you and the God of your heart.
Basically, you would have what you have been looking for, for so very long.
And, you would find it, right there, in you. Where it has always been.
You would realize it has never left you.