Self-discovery is the hardest journey a human can take. Their spiritual journey is not measured in miles nor success. It is measured in understanding. The reason this journey is so hard and poses such risk is that it’s easy to see fault in other people, though very hard to look inside and see those flaws which stop you from being the best person you can be. Those flaws demonstrated by others may give clues along the way, but it is only by self-discovery that one can expect to fulfill their spiritual voyage. The way is tough. The things you find out about yourself may be horrid and unimaginable although one has to see those evil parts to be able to recognize the temptations the soul has to step away from becoming spiritual because the path is easier. Take a walk across the planes of being you, and regardless of the risks, those who take this walk with little fear in their souls will see the bigger picture.
Looking toward God for solutions
One of the mistakes made by all religions when things go badly wrong in life is looking toward God for solutions. People pray for help. They pray for an end to suffering. What they don’t tend to do is accept that suffering is part of life and that it is the spiritual way to explore the suffering and work a way through it. Everyone suffers, but suffering also makes people much stronger.
Can God take on the suffering of everyone all over the world at the same time? Perhaps you may believe that it is possible, although the price has already perhaps been paid. It’s worth remembering that God also may enjoy hearing you celebrate your victories or celebrating life itself as a gift from him. The words of Kahlil Gibran are very succinct on this subject:
“You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.”
Now think of the journey which you are taking spiritually.
Suffering is part of that journey and the risk involved is that you may decide to take the easy route, walking away from the negativity of bad things and simply taking from life those things which are easy to attain. If this is the case, the road to spirituality becomes longer, because each deviation from the given path toward being spiritual involves some kind of sacrifice. If you are unable to make that sacrifice, then the road reaches out to unattainable distances which seem harder and harder to grasp.
The Bible has something to say on the subject.
In fact, there are many references to failure within the Bible, though the most astute to use for examples are Philippians 4:13 which states:
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“
Thus, if one believes to the depths of their soul in the God that gave him life, then that belief in itself should be sufficient for the spiritual side to feel strong even when the odds are piled against him. That person who is taking a journey into spirituality shouldn’t need to call on God for help but will know that the God that created him is there and gives that strength anyway.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 gives another example which may help the reader to understand how the body is a mere vessel when it states:
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.“
No matter what religion, an individual taking a spiritual path in life will accept that life is bigger than the human eye can perceive. Looking inward, people can perhaps see a bigger picture. If indeed the Holy Spirit or whatever your religion labels it is within each human being, then why is it that so many people miss the opportunity to find it? The answer lies in understanding exactly who you are and what you stand for. It’s not about riches or about being poverty-stricken. It’s about who the human being is spiritual. Not one person is on their own, though many are lonely. Many fool themselves that if they take up company with people, they can forget about their own problems, though this isn’t necessarily the case. Every person on earth needs quietude to actually gain an understanding of self and to become spiritual. Again turning to Kahlil Gibran who brought up this subject, you need to see yourself as you really are, rather than who you think people see you as.
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. … Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.“
It’s a wonderful explanation which says that each person has the ability to succeed in the spiritual journey alone, just as the strings of the lute work alone, though create harmony together which is a beautifully recognizable sound. The difference is that many people forget the singularity factor and this is a stumbling block on the spiritual journey which only those strong enough to recognize can overcome and get beyond.
Closeness with God and the insignificance of self
When the spiritual journey takes you across wide landscapes which are barren of people, the closeness with God and the insignificance of self is so apparent, so beautiful that it takes the breath away. To experience this sense of spirituality and enlightenment, you need to be at peace with your soul and though the journey is perilous, the sunset that displays itself across the horizon and that embraces your wholeness make that journey worth the risks are taken to arrive.
