Question and Answer Forum: Questions From Readers

Question: What advice would you give to someone just beginning on the spiritual path?

Answer: Being on the spiritual path means to become increasingly more truthful and honest with yourself. It is not a religious path, or a path of a particular spiritual discipline. It is a process in which you slowly let go of what is not real in your life and become more real, more responsible, and more socially just in what you do, feel, think, and speak. A true spiritual life is one of logic and critical thinking about every aspect of life from a multidimensional perspective. It is about making conscious choices. Your spiritual life evolves slowly and, as it evolves, your life expressions take on more complex layers of responsibility.

Please remember that the comments I make below are not meant to hurt or belittle you or anyone else. They are lessons that I have learned in my life by my own search as well as lessons that my father taught me and demonstrated by his own daily efforts. They work for me!
So, here is my advice for the spiritual path:

- Be honest with yourself. Don't expect to get anything without giving back; that would be stealing and begging. Never go to a lecture, event, or take something without giving something in return. Reciprocate. Dad often said: “Never be indebted to anyone, in any way. Find ways to pay back.” He would always, without fail, reciprocate by sending a thank you note, a letter, or money for even the smallest things that I did. I am sure he did this for others too.

- Don't expect to get something without working for it; you need to strive.

- Don't expect to be given everything by others to you; you need to earn it in order to keep it and have it be sustainable. You are in charge of your life, not anyone else.

- Don't be afraid of work; that is what makes you exceptional.

- Not everything that is passed on as new age Teaching is either new or true. If it seems like "mumbo-jumbo" to you, it may very well be! Distorted and confusing teachings are created by distorted minds.

- Don’t expect quick and easy results; it does not happen. Temporary highs are not sustainable. If you look for the quick fix, you may be going places you don't want to be!

- Spiritual work is as clear as physics and chemistry and math; it is not esoteric, it is not miraculous, it is not a mystery. It is transparent if we can see it.

- When you read high level Teachings, it must make sense to an educated and well read person. If it does not, put it aside. Complexity does not translate into validity; it could be made complicated to confuse you.

- Take time to learn the real fundamentals of the spiritual Teachings. These will keep you safe and help you expand in a logical and sequential manner.

- Expensive products and services do not equal safety or validity; more is not better; good marketing schemes can make you believe anything!

- Use your inner self as a guide for truth, not what others tell you.

- Clean up self deceptions of all kinds so you are not deceived. These include vanity, ego, glamors, expectations, and illusions. The more you clean your inner being, the simpler and quieter you become, hence in better rhythm with the needs of life.

- Speak less, listen more; respond to what life is telling you.

- And, please, not everything you say or do is "what the universe is telling me to do." Are you trying to show off in order to impress when you say this? Have a sense of humor, a healthy dose of self-doubt, and a healthy dose of self-respect for your own intelligence.

As a Great Teacher once said, and my father always reminded me “Let your horizons be wide and your humility great.” I like that; it helps me keep everything in perspective and smiling and keeps me out of all kinds of traps!

Thanks for asking. Hope this helps.

Gita