For the most part people on a spiritual quest are seeking something. This ‘something’ is often described as a state of being, awareness, enlightenment, oneness, waking up, peace, stillness, mindfulness, silencing the mind, relief from stress, and a nearly infinite list of similar ‘somethings’. Somewhere along the line this ‘something’ became attached to a ‘spirituality journey’ or path or practice.
Sally reads a book about someone else’s experience with Non-Duality, Zen, or Buddhism, and it sounds pretty nice. (see list above) So Sally decides that in order to attain the ‘something’ that she wants, she must begin a practice. Fill in your favorite style or guru. Maybe it’s Ramana Maharshi self inquiry inclined, or Socratic, or Mystic, or Zen, or… again it’s a long list of possibilities. My possibly long-winded point is that the success of the journey will likely be measured by how much and how often one experiences the ‘something states‘. And of course ‘Spiritual Journey’ sounds very noble and makes one feel important yes?
My strong contention is that all are perfect just as they are. Perhaps seemingly encumbered by ideas of who and what they are that fall short of this realization. Most people have come to believe that they are their thoughts and behaviors, or as I would define it, their identities. Others may call this ego, whatever.
An identity is simply a way of being in order to accomplish something.
A person will typically have a lot of these identities at their disposal. This is a natural ability, not a bad thing in any way. An identity for negotiating the purchase of a home, another for hanging out with friends at a party, another for work, very handy these identities! Kinda like sneakers are best for running, while boots are better for hiking in the mountains. All are useful if used within a certain context right? Sometimes we wear our hiking boots while swimming laps, and while it’s not impossible, it’s probably not ideal either. We generally slip in and out of our identities with impunity and mostly unnoticed.
However, if one comes to believe that their true nature is any one of those identities they sell themselves short.
- What if I could show you in just a few minutes absolute proof that this is true?
- Would you want to take that look? And if it is so, would this be impactful upon your Spiritual Quest?
- What if you observed directly for yourself that the ‘you’ that decided to embark on such a journey isn’t really the true ‘you’ after all, but just an idea or concept of *a you* (spiritual seeker identity) that was created and put in place to accomplish getting your ‘something’ list?
- What if the true you didn’t give any fucks whatsoever about the Noble Quest?
- Would you want to know this?
While I am never suggestive or directive in any way, and do not pretend to know how it ‘should be’ for any other person, using this process as a tool may be helpful for those seeking deeper insights into their true nature, seeing for themselves who’s who and what’s what. Please note, you can never see what you are, but rather what you are not is revealed. If you get enough ‘I’m not that’ moments, a shift of attention, focus, importances, and reality has the space and permission to unfold. Along the way you may observe that the ‘something’ previously sought either dissolves and is forgotten, or is more present. You may do what you want with all that, as has always been the case… except now you are seeing what has always been true directly.
Food for thought – If you can close your eyes and see a picture of yourself, like ‘the me that gets too angry’, or ‘loving me’, what is it that is looking?
Often one that is on a quest or is seeking enlightenment or whatever their term may be for the ‘something’ sought, has had profound experiences in the past. Perhaps they are now trying to ‘get back’ to some experience or state. This can lead to enormous discomfort and suffering. The feeling that ‘I lost it’ or ‘when I finally get to that level’ means that the discomfort and suffering is present now. It is being carried around like a trunk of bones that promise resurrection ‘someday’ while delivering misery now. I respectfully submit that this is a bad trade, but only you know how it is for you.
I have seen cases where the identity of ‘Spiritual Seeker’ was examined, and the client reported an enormous weight had been lifted. That’s not to say that they weren’t still interested in whatever their definition of spirituality was. But as they had removed a lot of baggage around it, they were actually more free to engage with it, or not, as they wished and on more clear terms that they and they alone deemed OK.