Dear friends,
There are many paths to Spirit. But there is no “best” one. How can that be? I’m so glad you asked!... :)
We are trying to find our way out of the tangled labyrinth of our own consciousness. We incarnate here to learn because we believe many things that are incorrect, such as: I need lots of money to be happy; I need the respect and love of this around me; I need a successful career; etc. There is nothing wrong with those things, but they are not the true source of the inner joy we all seek. That said, each person’s particular mental tangles are unique. And trying to unknot them one at a time is like trying to clean a beach by polishing one grain of sand at a time, putting it down, and then starting on the next one. Perhaps not the best strategy.
Each path to Spirit emphasizes different things. I’d like to share an image that may make this clear. A great Teacher tells his students who live on the East Coast, “Being centered means walking West." Another great Teacher on the West Coast says the Center lies East. Each saint dies but the followers are determined not to let these important teachings fade. The two groups of followers meet somewhere on their journeys and the first group insists that the way to find Spirit is to go West. The other group insists it is to go East. They start to fight and argue. Hmmm… Sound familiar? Or perhaps they never meet and the group going West winds up in the Pacific Ocean.
Another way to see this is by contemplating the question of which is the better medication: penicillin or aspirin? It obviously depends on what you are ailing from. If you have a bacterial infection you may want penicillin. If on the other hand you have a headache, you might want aspirin. So which medication is better? The question itself shows a root misunderstanding.
The Buddha arose as a corrective to Hindu teachings which were too dependent on ceremonies, praying for God’s intervention, and fatalism. So the Buddha dramatically underemphasized all those things. Is that path for you? It depends on what ails you. I myself fancied I was a Buddhist early in my spiritual life. Turned out untangling my confusions was best served by the path of Raja Yoga. Does that mean Yoga is better? By no means! But I believe it is better for me.
That is one of the reasons it is better to find a path that resonates with you and to stick to it. It is fun both to try and to learn new things, but finishing the course of medication that Spirit has prescribed for you is most likely to bear the best fruit.
May we each find the path designed for our particular needs and have the courage, energy, and persistence to face what it brings into our lives.
Blessings,
David G., manager
For the Gang at East West