On this blog, I regularly speak of the value of healing and cleaning up to support our spiritual journey and quality of life.
However, when we have an identified ego, we’re driven by a mind and intellect who see themselves as separate and in need of protection. The intellect divides and the mind judges, often as bad. You see this in spiritual circles in insisting on the “one truth,” the “nonduality manscape,” spiritual materialism, and so on.
When the ego co-opts the healing process, there is the tendency to see ourselves as broken and needing repair. Ego knows it’s not in control but gives our sense of self this illusion to give us confidence in its agenda. It can distract us from anything that will see through this ruse, running dramatic stories and urging us to keep busy with must-dos. It’s like we got lost in a multiplex movie theater. The main story is a drama called What’s Wrong starring Who’s to Blame.
Ego makes it about me and avoids what we don’t want to see. It controls through suppression and grasping, both seeds of suffering. We pat ourselves on the back for taking healing workshops while bypassing our more potent charges.
Seeing ourselves as broken or incomplete doesn’t support our spiritual process well. Sure, there is lots of purification and balancing to do. But this an effect of the times we’re in and our own history. We don’t blame ourselves for not knowing how to talk before we’ve learned to. Nor should we blame ourselves for not yet learning to heal. It’s not taught in our culture.
Rather, we want to encourage a process of learning and clearing the way. Not to get into a cycle of perpetual fixing but to upgrade our quality of life.
Healing is about coming to peace and letting go rather than fixing anything. For many, this is a new way of being. Our culture encourages mind over feelings, of fixing over relating.
Can you relate?
Davidya
I like the way this blog is about spirituality but in such an applicable day to day fashion. Even in an uwakened state this really applies and in some ways this blog is like a manual for the spiritual journey. Spiritual materialism (when one gets a little of the fruits) is a very seductive thing – just as bad as having a lot of money. The seduction can trap one easily. Sometimes I think life has to keep slapping one so that one does not become complacent and smug and taken up by one’s current self but always keep moving. But that may be just what is needed for me and other people can move along without those slaps.
Hi K
I’ve always valued practical advice and realistic ideas about spirituality. Sharing observations leads to sharing stumbling blocks as well as inspiration.
(laughs) Yeah – when we get the hang of it, we get less slaps.
I’d suggest having a lot of money is not a bad thing. But it does give you a responsibility for your community. The issues come when there isn’t a mature approach to it. Then no matter how much we have, it’s a problem.
https://davidya.ca/2007/09/21/sufficiency/
David –
Thank you for this wisdom and reminder. Money is another form of Consciousness and can provide wonderful opportunities for learning and for beautiful experiences.
I appreciate Dorothy mentioning you in her webinars. I’ve been enjoying dozens of your blogs on a wide assortment of topics.
Thank you!
Hi Ann
Yes, money is a symbol of value much like words are symbols of meaning. Money gives us choice but has no value in itself. Only what we give it.
Sufficiency has value but pursuing money for it’s own sake is folly. Do we live to work or work to live?
You’re welcome. Dorothy and I have had some good discussions.
I love it: “The main story is a drama called What’s Wrong starring Who’s to Blame.”
Yep – the media is full of that, reflecting our proclivities. 🙂
“We don’t blame ourselves for not knowing how to talk before we’ve learned to. Nor should we blame ourselves for not yet learning to heal. It’s not taught in our culture.”
Thank you, so simple, yet sometimes I forget!
Thank you for your blog, I have been following and appreciate your wisdom.
You’re welcome, Annie. Thanks for commenting.