You see, each of us has our own path, whether we are conscious of it or not.
Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses that differ from everybody else. Some of us are natural athletes, and no matter how hard we try we will never run a four-minute mile, or put the shot 74 feet, or beat Tiger Woods in a round of golf.
No matter how hard I try my could never be another Picasso, or another Beethoven, or another Einstein, and I did struggle many years in physics and mathematics, only to find so many others far more talented than I. Why waste my time trying to perfect myself here?
And there are great saints and sages whose experiences I could never have. I could never be as devoted to God as was Ramakrishna, nor was I as devoted to Robert Adams as Peter was to Christ. I can never have Ramana Maharishi's experience, his awakening, because that was his alone. I did not have Robert Adams expanding mind in light experience, I saw my own emptiness in a shower, then saw even that emptiness was unreal. I no longer have any of the ecstasy states I used to have, nor which many saints lived in all the time. I don't care about these anymore. Samadhis come, Samadhis go. What of it?
Now all I care about is being me, the best me I can be, and by that I ask, will I be able to look back on my life to be able to say without a doubt, "I cared enough."?
Realizing the Manifest Self--the Life Force permeating our humanity--and the Unmanifest source from which it arises.
Exactly.
ReplyDeleteMatthew
It was recommended by many to not read about anyone's spiritual experiences, their stages of progression & the final direct experience as it will only confuse & create so many reference points that would result to compare & measure. But somehow we can't help but read & get more confused.
ReplyDelete'Now all I care about is being me, the best me I can be, and by that I ask, will I be able to look back on my life to be able to say without a doubt, "I cared enough."?'
ReplyDeleteIsn't this something that would be said by an average joe who cares least about enlightenment? inca
Average Joe's and Wild Zen Geniuses can both awaken. I ask, would you have the eye to see Buddha driving a bus, in blogs, animals, the wind.
ReplyDeleteShawn Aleister Goodling