I'll start this off by saying that everyone's spiritual journey has similar qualities,
But each is going to be different in its expression.
It may start off from a rock bottom type of place,
Whether through self-sabotaging ways or a sudden tragedy that has been suffered,
Or it may just be from a curious exploration.
Maybe you came from this path from an intense awakening,
Or maybe yours has been a gradual process coming to meditation because it has very concrete scientific benefits.
All cases are perfect and bring us down the new path of exploration and our spiritual growth.
Know that you are experiencing your awakening in a way that you can handle and in a way that will best serve the ultimate good.
The beginning of a spiritual journey is really exciting.
It's new.
We're meeting new people and there's a lot of growth that's happening.
All of a sudden we've woken up to realize that there are more possibilities,
That there is more than just what our eyes can see.
In the beginning,
It can almost feel like that honeymoon phase of a relationship.
We're so obsessed and enthralled with all that's happening and sometimes we just get ourselves carried away.
A key insight to anyone on a spiritual path is that at some point it's going to have its plateaus and more importantly,
It's going to have its perceived downturns.
And you may experience some real darkness.
Why is that?
Why if we have this great intention to be loving and kind,
Must we face some of these tough moments,
Whether it be battling depressive states,
Intense feelings of anguish,
Doubt,
Insecurity,
Why must we go through this?
It's simple.
As one of my teachers,
David Hawkins would say,
The path of the heart will bring up everything that is its opposite.
The path of love will bring up everything that is unloving about yourself.
Every fear,
Every insecurity,
Every negative belief that you have deep inside will come up to the surface.
You will be put in situations that elicit these feelings.
These are our shadows in the unconscious that Carl Jung talks about.
These are our demons and enemies that we must face on our hero's journey that Joseph Campbell explains.
They must come up to the surface so we can shine light and move through it.
How do they come up?
One way is through other people.
And you'll find that the people that you avoid and judge,
The people that you are envious of,
These may actually be the greatest spiritual teachers on your path because they are the people that are reflecting back to you something within you that you might not be conscious of.
Another common way that these programs come up is through what you are afraid to do.
You will be shown opportunities to face those fears.
Realize those fears aren't real.
They've been programmed into you and it takes some level of uncomfort to shine the light of awareness that will show you that you are capable of so much more than you think.
Remember,
Any darkness that you come across is teaching you something you need to learn.
It may last a month.
It may last a year.
But eventually you'll find your way back.
You can never get that far off because there is always this internal GPS that will guide you back on track.
Trust that trust that right now you are exactly where you need to be.
And with a light of mindfulness and understanding,
See that you are not the content of your life.
You are the infinite part of your nature that has a greater down the road perspective that sees what you don't see.
Trust that.
Trust in who you truly are.
An infinite limitless being.
And remember that it's all part of this beautiful and scary journey to the best and highest version of yourself.
Keep consciously moving forward.
You have so much to offer this world.
Thank you so much for listening.
If you like this,
I have a couple other short talks on Insight Timer.
One on how to set goals and one on finding your life's purpose.
Go check them out.
Let me know what you think.
As always,
Namaste.
