The Many Spiritual Paths to the One

[James S]

Hear Hear!

I have seen far too many arguments between different religions, faiths, denominations, etc. over who has the right way.

I've always believed that the right spiritual path for a person is as individual as that person. While many religions seek to define your spiritual path for you, and put your beliefs into a box, ultimately it is really up to you as to what you believe, and the path you choose.

James.

[Anonymous]

Yarr, matey, to each his own!

[Spirit_Gurl]

what's at the end of the path?

[Nob]

quote:Originally posted by Spirit_Gurl

what's at the end of the path?

Good question! To think that there really is a path just perpetuates the illusion. Seeing that there is nothing to do, nothing to achieve and everything is as it is would be a good start to attaining spiritual oneness. Ultimately, everything is as it is, so there is no beginning/end, just that which is. Love seeking itself.

[Anonymous]

To even try to imagine what ultimate/absolute connectivity would feel like just blows my mind, and I have a really good imagination. I bet you'd be happy all the time, though.

[Adrian]

Greetings Everyone,

Another most interesting and important subject!

There are indeed many paths available, but in my opinion a most important factor to consider from the outset and ongoing is balance. The whole Universe works in accordance with balance, equilibrium and the immutable Law of cause and effect, and individual ascent should be no different. This is where the various Yoga systems can often be a weak, in that they attempt to follow a path based on a single, one sided course, e.g. bhakti yoga follows a path of love and devotion, raja and hatha yoga the path of self control and will and so on for many such disciplines. An enduring  ascent should always be totally balanced in all aspects, otherwise any and all imbalances will need to be dealt with in future incarnations. The same goes for those who follow a path of "saintliness""

Another issue is that of the people who consider the physical and Astral worlds as "maya illusion" and only concern themselves with the "highest" possible states which they believe is the only reality, the ultimate being the state of "samhadi". Again, this is totally unbalanced, and is like attending University to do a post graduate degree course without ever having started at elementary/primary school and progressed through school from there. Just because it is possible to achieve a state of samhadi through meditation does not man the meditator will achieve instant unity with the "All" upon passing from the physical world. They will all have to progress through the Astral and Mental realms, ever higher/inwards, in the same way as every single person on this planet will ultimately have to sooner or later. So a totally balanced ascent is absolutely fundamental.

Meditation of course as part of progression is an excellent discipline, and I firmly believe that everyone should do it for the correct, and numerous beneficial reasons and benefits that it brings.

I am pleased that Timeless mentioned Love and Devotion, because it gives me the opportunity to mention the Twin Hearts meditation which is wholly exceptional,and to be highly commended to everyone:

http://www.lifepositive.com/Body/energy-healing/pranic-healing/twin-heart-meditation.asp

Meditation should never be undertaken with any thought of reward, but only of Love, Service and Giving, but any benefit that you do receive in return you should be deeply grateful and thankful for - gratitude is a powerful Universal force. I would urge everyone to perform Twin-Hearts, especially if the possible war in the middle east looks more likely, as it has the power to move nations and make the World a happier, more peaceful place without the need for war and the associated fear and suffering.

With best regards,

Adrian.

[don_the_mystic]

Thankyou Adrian for pointing me in the direction of this posting.

The odd thing about growth is our human perception of the word growth and what it means.

Growth implies expansion or changing size to something larger.  However, (in part at least) true growth can be considered to be a lessening of size.

How so?  Simply because when you grow towards enlightenment, you go inward, not outward.  To know God (the universe and everything) you must first know yourself.  Knowing yourself, is, in my opinion, one of the single most difficult things to achieve in life. We all spent our childhood putting up walls and layers to the world, covering things that we feel are better left buried.  These very things prevent us from knowing our true selves, which gives rise to the feeling that something is missing in your life.  Cracking that hard exterior to get to the soft underbelly of *YOU* is a minefield of boobytraps and dead ends coupled with a healthy (?) dose of self sabotage.

Our external search for answers will always lead back to what is inside.  It is the beginning of the journey to ONENESS with God or the Universe or with all Creation, depending on your belief system.

It is awakening the knowledge that you *are* and always have been.  You are also the creator of your life as it is now.  The difference is, you don't realise that you are and therefor a large percentage of what is in your life currently has been created by the subconscious part of you that is governed by the walls and layers you have created and maintained in adult life.

It's messy but at the same time, simplistic.  It is a cycle that although very confronting, is well worth facing your fears to achieve.

Our goal? To LOVE unconditionally.

I LOVE YOU ALL

Don

[timeless]

Sometimes I come across discussions about which is the best path to attain spiritual oneness.  I personally do not think there is a 'best path'.  There may be faster paths but I am not certain faster is better.  Just as I am uncertain that easier is better. I do believe there can be paths that are better for certain people and paths that are better at particular times in our lives.  

That aside I thought I would share with you a wonderful comment by Anandamoyee Ma (she is an Indian devote).  She said this when one of her followers of the path of love and devotions started arguing with a student following the path of yoga. His form of yoga being the path of discipline of mind and intellect.

"One should try to understand one's own inner worth and then follow the path best suited to him.  The path of devotion does not mean dumb devotion.  Devotion means total dedication, surrender and love for the Lord.  It is the path of the heart, but it does not contradict  intellect or reason which solves many problems of life. Devotion is also part of the other paths."

I deeply agree with Anandamoyee Ma that the many paths to the one while separate are intertwined.  I believe they rely on each other to make one intricately woven tapestry.  The main paths I am on in this life time are that of intellect, and devotion through prayer.  Perhaps we chose different paths in differnt lifetimes focussing on certain aspects more than others in each lifetime till all balances out.

Perhaps others would like to share their thoughts about the paths they are on and how that path has helped them grow and develop spiritually.

Love, Light and Wisdom to All,
timeless