You know people think you're a fool ... right?
For most of the Western world, spirituality is a joke.
It doesn't feed you. It doesn't put clothes on your back. It doesn't keep you away from the craziness flying around planet Earth.
More...
Try telling your family:
There's a different world besides the one they live in.
Try telling friends:
There's a gentleness merging with everything you say and do.
Try telling coworkers:
It's possible to compromise - to satisfy the greater good of all.
They'll tell you -
Spirituality's a distraction to fritter away your day; a diversion to fill your idle time. Then quietly confide: Something's changed. I can't quite put my finger on it ... but something's underfoot.
And, you know ...
That something is the stirring of the primordial soup rewiring the globe.
Why Spirituality Poses Such a Challenge
More than twenty years ago the Internet made a leap. Emails reached out to the general public. So did shopping, banking ... websites.
What happened?
A new kind of freedom - not possible before - inspired early pioneers. They tested out the know-how; became more independent; crossed every state and country border -
And -
Connected the world ... until ten years later.
The internet morphed. Technology - non-existent or barely an infant then:
What happened this time?
A new round of - never before experienced - freedom exploded. So, by today, anyone can:
The connected world transformed into a hyper-connected globe ...
Because now -
Everyone is empowered to:
And ... do it with more people than ever before. People joined in a common vision. People from anywhere in the world.
Your only qualification?
What you do is up to you!
Fueling the cult of following your passion.
Maybe worse -
Birthing the myth: no more boring work, unhappiness, stress ... just pure contentment in unending bliss.
The problem?
Hunting for your passion is a recipe for disaster - or at best, horrible disappointment -
What if:
Because -
Passion is a spiritual craving. Nothing you can track down, throw a dart and - wherever it lands - there's your answer.
Your passion is a hunger. A longing ...
And -
It comes looking for you!
The Simple Action - Few Do (that Opens the Spiritual Door)
Your hunger - to make a difference - isn't a one-time calling.
No big:
Quit your job - move to Bali - make six figures of passive income a day while surfing ...
That suddenly appears, then turns your world into the best ever lived.
Feeding your hunger - to make a difference - means ...
It's. Just. You.
Hunkered inside the work/job/profession you're in right now:
Doesn't matter if it's what you want to do - or not. It's where you are.
Because -
Where you are is where life circumstances brought you. All the better if you can use your skills - experience ...
But -
It doesn't really matter.
Only thing that does?
Everyone feels the same ...
So -
What if?
What if you do the one thing only the most daring explorers try ... what if - you spend less time on the obvious?
Tiptoe between the spaces - instead of talking about ...
What if?
You spread your wings between the words you're thinking; discover a newfound freedom. Then, feel so confident - so sure of the difference you're making - you risk taking your new-self for a test-drive ...
And -
Leave yourself better than when you started.
Repairing What was Once Lost
Nobody tells you ...
Spirituality is impossible ... unless you're willing to become a kinder - gentler - human being.
Nobody tells you ...
Waking-up is impossible ... unless you embrace each new insight - for as long as it takes - until what you say and do becomes more tender.
Nobody tells you ...
Transformation is impossible ... unless you mature through life's spiritual phases - in compassionate ways - until you become a wiser you ...
Then assure you -
Catching a glimpse of those stages is possible when you fly above the trees. Imagine you're a hundred-years-old; look into the rear-view mirror - then spot the loving-kindness that whispered you awake at each life-defining crossroad.
Your 1st SPIRITUAL-TEACHER ... Family Gridlock
Only a handful of musts exist you can't live without:
Then, finding shelter - the harsher the conditions the quicker it's needed.
But -
What takes up most of your growing-up years doesn't make that list:
If you're not immersed in the wonder?
Not a one is life threatening.
But -
You do discover, oh so quickly, how they're disconnected from the rest of the world.
And -
That disconnect starts inside your family.
Once Upon a Time - There was a Happy Little-Child, like you once were!
No more than 5-years-old - Happy Little-Mary explores a big box store too huge for her little-self to navigate alone. Skipping down the aisle; holding her mother's hand ...
Until -
An acquaintance passes by.
Happy Little-Mary knows adults get lost in grown-up conversation; ignore she's nearby; then, let her fend on her own. Free of mother ... her curious little-self explores a center aisle display -
Drags her fingers across puffy clouds-of-white; pokes each one - watching every hole bounce back. Giggles. Throws her head back ... yelps with happiness: Look Mama. Look!
Mama doesn't notice.
Happy-Little Mary twirls - arms stretched open as wide as open can get. Squeals. Throws her head back ... howls with laughter: Look Mama. Look!
Mama doesn't notice.
Happy Little-Mary darts in-and-out between sheets of towels freefalling through the air. Shrieks. Throws her head back ... screeches a high-pitched shrill: Look Mama. Look!
Mama notices ...
Yanks Happy Little-Mary's arm. Swats at her bottom before letting loose with a tongue-lashing scold.
What is Happy Little-Mary to do?
Happy Little-Mary's startled.
Doesn't know what she did that was so wrong.
So -
Like a turtle ...
Tucks her unrequited joy inside a shell. Hides her shell inside the spaces between the words she's thinking; adopts the behavior Mama modeled as her own ...
Then -
Forgets how adventuresome her natural born innate-self once felt.
How free her spirit once flew.
Your 2nd SPIRITUAL-TEACHER ... Independence Goes on Strike
You grow up. You're in your 20's now -
And -
Tackle life full force - like it's an experiment - with all of its first's that can't come fast enough:
Until you hit your 30's -
When, for the first time, you catch a glimpse that nothing in life is ever so easy again. When you dare to question everything once taught by those who were supposed to take care of you.
When you wonder ... What is my life going to stand for now?
Once Upon a Time - There was a Growing-Up Child, like you once were!
A friend of a friend of Growing-Up Mary is a spiritual traveler - finding the wisest elders anywhere in the world. Tapping their minds. Sharing insights with anyone willing to listen after coming home.
Growing-Up Mary pays attention ... but focuses on her career now. Excited to learn the ins-and-outs of the industry she trained for ... while keeping her eye on those big moments:
The day your effort is recognized. The day you're asked to contribute to a never-before-tried project. The day you're promoted for all the hard work you've put in.
Growing-Up Mary's proud to bring out the best she has to give ...
But -
Never forgets ...
Not a single milestone changes her life in any dramatic way. She still cleans out feces from the gerbil pen; rescues a kite from a hurricane-damaged tree. Pulls knockoff sweatpants on - one leg at a time.
So -
The hype of the loudest talkers puzzles her -
How self-important they think they are; how much they get away without doing. How quick to criticize a coworker - before poking fun ... chiding him as the Jerk.
And every time they do?
Growing-Up Mary gets that feel-not-so-good feeling in the pit of her stomach. Then, wrestles with her conscience ...
While -
Faint little whispers - lingering between the words she's thinking - nudge her free and adventuresome spirit awake. Whispers-of-wisdom once shared by that long ago friend of a friend. Whispers-of-insight from the Dalai Lama:
The future will be in the hands of those who belong to the 21st century ...
You have the opportunity and responsibility to build a better humanity. This means developing warm-heartedness in this very life, here and now -
So, do whatever work you do, but ask yourselves now and then: How can I contribute to human beings being happier and more peaceful?
Now -
Growing-Up Mary wonders -
What does it mean to be human - in the age of information overwhelm? What does it mean to be human - in the age of intelligent machines? What does it mean to be human in the 21st century?
What is Growing-Up Mary to do?
Like a true warrior of the spiritual ilk ...
Growing-Up Mary rethinks her place in the world.
Takes an intentful breath -
Reaches a depth ... so quiet ... so still ... its gentleness turns her into her own silence - where she unlocks a first-time glimpse. In her Family-of-Humanity:
Even the shunned have good within them ...
Then embraces the warm-heartedness - hidden deep within her ...
Withdraws from the jeering crowd. Smiles at the outcast ... before a heartfelt word-of-kindness piercing the outer façade others only see as the Jerk.
Your 3rd SPIRITUAL-TEACHER ... Spirituality Shanghaies Everyday Life
You're in your 40's now -
And -
You've made the choice -
To walk in tenderhearted shoes ... give yourself permission to:
Not because you're a flip-flop human being -
But -
Because there's an inner certainty leading you in a new direction ...
Until you reach your 50's -
When, for the first time, you choose - more often than not - to leave the world of chaos behind ...
Until -
Confronted with a life-exploding challenge - you can't avoid - that spins into a quandary: Am I strong enough for what I'm waking-up to now?
Once Upon a Time - There was a Maturing Little-Child, like you once were!
Who knew Maturing Mary's future - leading a 21st century division - came laced with a staggering amount of micromanagement - traced back to an original order from the Chief Executive Officer of the company. What's to be done; when to finish ... even trickling down to grass roots minutia who's to be on which team.
On the one hand -
Maturing-Mary understands plans are useful ... people focus; think issues through in line with corporate values.
On the other hand -
Empowering people - to take ownership - creates loyal, conscientious employees too.
So -
Maturing-Mary takes the initiative. Distills the intent of every mandate - to its most salient issue ... while open-minded to practical ideas coming from those reporting to her:
She listens to new points of view. Thinks their assessment through - through the company's wider-view lens - before deciding how best to interweave directives with a good dose-of-reasonableness coming from her team.
Maturing-Mary's proud to bring out the best others have to give ...
Until -
Blind-sighted by a resentful member of the staff - stomping into her corner office: What the hell are you doing? Escalating into a fever-pitch high: To hell with the greater good of all! ... intimidating every other employee on the 250-cubical floor - every last one afraid to breathe - fearing the toxic tirade.
Maturing-Mary freezes in place; feels the air - from that angry finger - shaking millimeters from her nose. Tightens her fists - bracing for the blow sure to come. Then, wrestles with her conscience ...
While -
Faint little whispers - lingering between the words she's thinking - nudge her free and adventuresome spirit awake. Whispers-of-wisdom once shared by that friend of a friend so long ago. Whispers-of-insight from Eckhart Tolle:
You do not become good by trying to be good,
But by finding the goodness that is already within you,
And, allowing that goodness to emerge.
Now -
Maturing-Mary wonders -
How do I find that goodness already inside of me? How do I allow that goodness to emerge?
What is Maturing-Mary to do?
Like a true warrior of the spiritual ilk ...
Maturing-Mary rethinks her place in the world.
Takes an intentful breath -
Reaches a depth ... so quiet ... so still ... its tenderness turns her into her own silence - where she unlocks a first-time glimpse. In her Family-of-Humanity:
Every action is either a cry for help - or expression of love ...
Then embraces the warm-heartedness - hidden deep within her ...
Looks beyond the rant. Beyond that angry finger waving in her face ... before extending the tenderheartedness, tucked deep inside her silence - to cradle the scars of a broken heart longing for its loving-kindness.
Your 4th SPIRITUAL-TEACHER ... Wisdom Takes the Lead
You're in your 60's now -
And -
Your sight is set ...
To immerse yourself in loving-kindness in everything you say and do. To bring out the goodness - that never changes - inside ...
Until you travel into your 70's -
When, for the first time, the road ahead is clear.
And -
You choose - more often than not - to live from the warm-heartedness that turns you into your own silence -
To bring out the joy in your heart that touches another before circling back to you ...
Once Upon a Time - There was a Wise Little-Child, like you once were!
Although the 21st century is incredulous -
A drone delivered the first package in rural England. Software writes poetry; super-computers co-write pop hits; self-driving taxis travel on real city streets ...
Wise-Mary doesn't worry the march-of-technology is outthinking humans.
Not when -
A stranger - clutching credit cards; tear streaked cheek - confides: My sister maxed them out.
A stranger Wise-Mary couldn't get out of her mind backing out of the parking spot ... then doubled back - trying to keep The Stranger in her line of sight. Only to lose her - pulling into a new space in an overcrowded lot.
Out of the car. Start walking. One row of cars over - There. There's The Stranger! No. Not her. Trudge on. She couldn't be far - unless already gone. Two rows over ... Something's moving! Somebody's outside the driver's door. Hair - The same! Credit cards - Still clutched in her hand. Tear streaked face.
Cautiously. Ever so cautiously, Wise-Mary approaches ...
You were the kind lady who took my cart into the store, Wise-Mary started not knowing where. I couldn't help but notice you came right back out - tears running down your cheeks.
It was then The Stranger confided: My sister maxed them out.
Wise-Mary remembers the beggars - professionals no less - making upward of a hundred-thousand-dollars a year plying on emotion. Then watches for a glitch ... overly excited; talking too fast; all signs of a perpetrator smelling a hit.
Then again -
Money is easy to give. Easy to dismiss someone who's slid back into a pocket of fear; easy to walk away from - get on with the rest of life.
But -
The Stranger rambled on ... I just called my brother in North Carolina to send some money. Mom's got dementia. Gone lose again. They found her in Orlando. Won't release her until I pay for medicine ...
While -
Wise-Mary wrestles with her conscience ...
Before -
Faint little whispers - lingering between the words she's thinking - nudge her free and adventuresome spirit awake. Whispers-of-wisdom sages-of-old once shared. Whispers-of-insight lying dormant in every human being:
You're happier - less concerned about your own happiness.
Now -
Wise-Mary wonders -
How do I reach that place - deep inside of me - where I'm more satisfied with your happiness than my own?
What is Wise-Mary to do?
Like a true warrior of the spiritual ilk ...
Maturing-Mary rethinks her place in the world.
Takes an intentful breath -
Reaches a depth ... so quiet ... so still ... its stillness turns her into her own silence - where she unlocks a first-time glimpse. In her Family-of-Humanity:
One tender moment - given freely - is never lost ...
Then embraces the warm-heartedness - hidden deep within her ...
Reaches the love asking nothing in return ... before enfolding The Stranger into its loving-kindness - hungry for the memory.
This One Less-Traveled Road Isn't Finished Yet ...
You're a seeker -
Seeker of the spiritual path ...
Spreading your wings between the words you're thinking. So you can discover a new-found freedom - that leaves you better than when you started.
But -
What's the first thing other people think?
Spirituality's a string of epiphanies. Endless aha's ...
When, in fact -
Minute by minute ... you free yourself of useless thoughts. Hour after hour ... you start all over again. Day by day ... you trudge on - until you climb beyond the chaos. Beyond your crazy-making voice; beyond anything ever imagined you dare expect of yourself ...
Because, it's then you slip into a deeper truth -
The truth inside an insight -
An insight that telegraphs: All is well with the world!
And, you wonder -
What makes you a little different? Maybe even unique?
In your darkest moments - times of deepest despair - you dare look the impossible in the eye. Listen for the space between your angst until you hear its insight whisper ...
And. You. Press. On.
You're Not Finished Waking-Up Either!
You stumble on an acorn ... plant it in compost. What does the seed do?
Sprout into quiet dignity.
When -
You're knocked-about ... what do you do?
Strike back?
Or,
Transform into a wiser ... more awakened ... happier you!
So you -
Leave the world a little better than you find it.
