On the spiritual journey, we’ll periodically have plateaus where progress appears to have stalled or slowed. This is “appears” because there are many layers of transformation underway, a great deal of which we’re not aware of.
One reason a plateau can arise is some resistance to the next steps. Some need for willingness.
This could be to do our practices regularly. Or to let go of some identification. Or to look at some old trauma that’s surfacing.
This can arise at any point on the journey. Even someone very awake can run into a sensitive point, brought to the surface in the cycles of time.
In the bigger picture, this isn’t about a person resisting. Nature is organizing and in the cycles of time, sometimes we have a fallow period to recharge and sometimes we make more obvious progress.
I can recall a time when my life was very much outward stroke, working long hours, home renovations, etc. And then that all changed. It then became clear how much inner progress had been made in the background, grounding and integrating all the earlier openings through action.
An older article on this topic arose from a talk by Constance Kellough (Eckhart Tolle’s publisher).
Whatever is arising, be it smooth and easy or deeply challenging, it’s a phase. If we’re willing to work with what is unfolding, we can resolve it and find a little more freedom. And then time will change and new experiences will arise.
This too shall pass. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Davidya
Hi David,
Very simple and sweetly said.
Thanks
Lv,
Clarice
It was so nice to finally meet you
Thanks, Clarice. Yes, at lease virtually.
Thank you, this is very comforting.
You’re welcome, Johanna. Thanks for the comment.
Hi David,
Timely post.
I sometimes feel that deepening and superficiality occur simultaneously!
Best,
Bill
Yes, good observation, Bill. We live on multiple levels simultaneously. Our routine life can seem superficial while at the same tome, we’re resolving emotion, having an insight, and deepening in peace.
I’m actually working on a related article. 🙂
And sometimes, my routine life feels very deep while my inner life feels superficial…its like the two are converging and are exchanging traits.
Yes, Bill. It’s like the purity of the inner gradually descends and the grounding of the outer allows us to live it.
Thank you David, can feel the kindness in this.
🙂