My Spiritual Journey

My Spiritual Journey in 7 Words

The Liars

Even as a child I was aware that all was not well in this world; I lived with a constant but unspecific feeling of unease. People told lies. My parents did not practise what they preached, my schoolteachers avoided or fudged when my questions were awkward, and on TV the smiles of news presenters and advertisers were white-teeth caricatures that made me cringe.

The Bullies

And then there were the bullies. Not just the intimidation at school, which was far more frightening when it took the form of a teacher’s cold, institutional violence of sarcasm and angry glances, but also the threats at Sunday School from the Christians who insisted that God was a vindictive and vengeful spy who critically examined every one of my thoughts in every moment of my sinful life.

Living in Truth

I saw though their lies – and I said so. This refusal to go along with the all-pervading corruption was my first true act of spiritual awakening. I rejected all that I felt was false and refused to compromise my principles. Even though I had no idea what other principles I actually had, I knew that first and foremost I need to live constantly in truth.

The System Needs Liars and Bullies

I did not fit in anywhere. As I attempted to make my way in the world it became obvious that to tell lies competently and frequently was a requirement of the System. Otherwise most of us were consigned to become wave-slaves in our factories and offices, having no expectation beyond a life of reluctant servitude and no advancement.

A Journey of Discovery

Intuitively, it seemed that there must be a better way and that one who sought them would find answers. So, my life became a journey of discovery. I gave up habits and comforts to travel, often to scary places, I read philosophy and studied the great books, I filled my world with other seekers, attending uncounted workshops, seminars and retreats. Perhaps I was a slow learner because it took me a very long time!

The Opening Heart

Unconsciously I had assumed that it was the mind that would open and that that would bring true understanding. This indeed was a necessary process, but not sufficient. What actually brought me into deeper into my authentic self was the opening of the heart. Unknowingly I’d become cynical and had no sense of softness or warmth as a heart-centred feeling. I could behave as though I loved but in reality, this behaviour was a decision or habit and not a real feeling. What opened my awareness of the joy and importance of such vulnerability was compassion for another, and also the beauty in music and Nature.

Confrontation and Conflict as Spiritual Principles

This did not make me weak; it made me feel strong. I found myself able and ready to confront bullies and liars. Few, if any, would listen to my complaints and so I was obliged to remove myself totally from my old life, its people and comforts. My solitude deepened my strength and brought me ever closer to the realisation of who I am and what is my purpose.

Sacred Repect

As soon as I became clear about my life purpose there was energy and motivation. It was also noticeable that my vision had its own magnetism and somehow magically drew together those of us whose purposes aligned. Collaboration and the resultant synergy created a constant atmosphere of meaning, directness and achievement and brought me into a much higher level of respect for others.

Of all the many worthy spiritual teachings encountered, the one that speaks to me most profoundly is ‘sacred respect’. We have to respect ourselves and others, in fact all aspects of life, as important parts of something wonderful and blessed. This necessarily means that we treat the words we utter as sacred too, so we speak truth and do not manipulate.

The 7 Words

At some stage in the process I came up with a simple model to explain how it all worked for me.
No: Reject the false
Hello: Expand your horizons
Thanks: Appreciate love and beauty
Goodbye: If it’s not right – then change it or move on
Please: Share your vision with others
Sorry: Respect everything and everyone
Yes: Surrender to the flow of life

Faith and Optimism

I don’t think the journey ever ends, and I’m pretty sure that these 7 life wisdoms are things we never completely master. The last bit – to let go and trust that all will be well – is the operation of faith. The final secret that I have learned is that faith is a choice not a gift and I have come to believe that optimism is a sacred duty.