| We are participating in an explosion of new age | | | | intention and focused energy, turn every action into |
| teaching, interest in eastern religion, and a general | | | | an act of remembrance and service for the Higher |
| curiosity about the usefulness of everyday spiritual | | | | Destiny. Each of us is familiar with going to work or |
| practice. When you turn on the television, it seems | | | | school, and using all of our talents and energy to get |
| just about every talk show host is discussing how to | | | | ahead so we can personally gain or feel more fulfilled. |
| maximize human potential and help viewers become a | | | | Similarly, in every action, the spiritual traveler works |
| more advanced version of self. | | | | hard to remember and serve God. |
| In our effort to reach higher, spirituality is a major | | | | Diversity of Spiritual Experience. Every traveler |
| interest in the books we read, the classes we take, | | | | has spiritual experience; these experiences are natural |
| and the inner peace we want to find. Accordingly, | | | | and emerge, in part, from our very composition. |
| there is growing dialog concerning differences | | | | Many times, these experiences are often not |
| between traditional religious teaching and a form of | | | | understood as such to be spiritual, seemingly |
| spiritual practice termed: everyday spirituality or | | | | mysterious, and usually quickly forgotten. Often, they |
| spirituality of the market place. Interestingly enough, | | | | may come in the form of an intuition about |
| the usefulness of spiritual practice in everyday life is | | | | something that occurs or a happy, positive energy |
| an ancient teaching, and lies at the heart of human | | | | and sense of being connected to everything. |
| development systems like Sufism; where travelers | | | | Traditionally, spiritual experiences are given so the |
| are taught, through ordinary daily activity, to align | | | | traveler can learn and move forward. These are not |
| with the Higher and make life a prayer. | | | | the goal of the journey; they are foretastes of a |
| To help travelers add this practical approach, we will | | | | higher state of awareness, which are as varied and |
| examine the basic difference between traditional | | | | natural, as spiritual travelers themselves. Typically, in |
| religious form and spirituality; offering various 'things | | | | time with training, travelers recognize these |
| to know, and things to do' while following a personal | | | | experiences as spiritual, because they are unlike other |
| spiritual path. | | | | forms of mental or emotional consciousness, and |
| Religion may be compared | | | | learn to move beyond them. |
| To a great river that feeds the land. | | | | Things to Do |
| The River winds its way as a mighty force | | | | In order to help prepare travelers for their own |
| And smaller tributaries are formed to serve the | | | | spiritual experience, the following techniques, actions, |
| distant regions. | | | | and exercises are offered. |
| Some are satisfied | | | | Quiet, Alone Time. Daily, each traveler needs to |
| To drink of the small stream | | | | set aside 10-20 minutes to travel inward. This is |
| And forget they must travel | | | | personal time where the external noise of the world |
| The river to its Source. | | | | can be turned-off and an examination of the many |
| Beyond the river's gate | | | | parts of self may be conducted. Even busy mothers |
| The Ocean is waiting. | | | | or executives must be 'selfish' about this, and take |
| Religion &. Spirituality | | | | the time to do something for self. Over time, we |
| For spiritual travelers, at some point, it becomes clear | | | | must identify the many selves so we can push them |
| that new age and eastern systems offer techniques | | | | aside for a time, and unlock what lies beyond daily |
| that speak to the basic difference between religious | | | | consciousness. Going inward, may be accomplished |
| form and personal spiritual experience. While all | | | | through prayer, journaling, meditation, or at day's |
| traditional religious systems are based upon spiritual | | | | end, observing the repeating patterns of thought. |
| teachings, inner personal experience is not always | | | | Travel Inward. Find a hobby or activity that you |
| emphasized and many travelers leave the religion of | | | | enjoy where you can express your inner self. If it is |
| their birth with a deep, inner hunger that religious | | | | working on a craft, reading uplifting material, |
| form did not completely fill. | | | | gardening, going for a walk, listening to relaxing music, |
| In the beginning stages of any learning, adherence to | | | | collecting coins, or taking a yoga or exercise class, |
| form is essential; and as the traveler matures in their | | | | you want to learn to express the many, hidden parts. |
| traditional religious training, a deeper more personal | | | | Each of us has a creative, spiritual potential, and in |
| experience may be available. However, many | | | | the beginning you must make time to explore and |
| travelers leave for a variety of reasons or get | | | | refine it. The creative expression of the artist or |
| 'turned off' long before this happens. One of my | | | | craftsmen, where numerous factors come together; |
| spiritual teachers used to say: 'after you have studied | | | | once experienced, will help expand your daily |
| with me and experienced the Light, you will return to | | | | consciousness and help you begin to perceive what is |
| the religion of your birth and become a better | | | | possible. |
| Christian, Jew or Muslim.' | | | | Give to Others. Part of healthy, balanced living |
| External Form. In viewing traditional religious teaching | | | | and ordinary social duty is being part of a family or |
| and spiritual experience, it is important to discuss the | | | | community, and giving to others. If you have time, |
| difference between internal and external reality. Most | | | | volunteer once a week at the local hospital, or nightly |
| of us are familiar with the external form of religious | | | | help your children do their homework. Perhaps, listen |
| teaching; usually this was the presentation offered | | | | to the problems of a neighbor, join the local food |
| during our early child hood and emphasized standard | | | | pantry, or routinely give to your favorite charity. This |
| prayers, teachings, and social prescription which was | | | | activity of giving should be entered into freely, |
| directed at a large segment of humanity. | | | | without resentment or repeated troubling thoughts |
| Over the centuries, this is the part that looks | | | | like, people tell me I need to do this. If you cannot |
| different, because it is and changes; external form | | | | do this without displeasure, wait until you can. Then |
| varies depending upon culture, geography, historical | | | | observe the many benefits. |
| context, and the changing needs of the receiving | | | | Seek the Higher Road. You know, most of us |
| community. Because this part is not the same, and is | | | | know what the right thing is; we are born with an |
| tied to time and place, it confuses people; this is the | | | | inner sense of correct action and helping others. |
| part that travelers argue and fight about it. Yet, | | | | Religion prescribes service and giving activity, because |
| internally all forms at their highest level are one, | | | | we forget or the business part of religion kicks in; a |
| united in spirit. | | | | certain amount of money is needed to run the |
| Internal Form. The internal or spiritual essence which | | | | operation. In your conversation and daily activity, try |
| gives life to the external religious form is a living, | | | | to help, not hurt; as a guide, listen to your own inner |
| vibrant element. This part, termed the Light in some | | | | voice, which is a natural barometer. In the healthy |
| presentations, is the inner core or life current to the | | | | personality, there is a balance between our own |
| external form. This is the part which fuels the | | | | needs and the needs of others. It is only when we |
| updating of the Teaching into a newer presentation, | | | | are fearful, angry, or hurt that we seek to do harm. |
| and the grace which enables the living teacher or | | | | When possible, avoid action when you are feeling this |
| exemplar to function. This is the spiritual essence, the | | | | way. |
| new age traveler seeks to embrace, and become | | | | Pray. As part of our childhood, most of us have |
| one with. | | | | been taught specific prayers; some of these prayers |
| Religion is like a beautiful maiden, who to fit the | | | | become part of our lives and others we leave behind. |
| changing weather, wears an assortment of clothing. | | | | Usually, specific prayers are different than praying. |
| Some days, because the weather is cold or sunny, | | | | Prayer is a song that arises from your heart that you |
| her outer garments are different. If you were to | | | | wish to share with God. This is a communication that |
| describe her on these days, one day she would be | | | | springs from your very essence and cannot be |
| the maiden in the tall woolen hat, scarf across her | | | | taught; it is already part of you. Daily, spend time |
| face and long coat, and on another day, the women | | | | talking with God; on a deep inner level, there is a part |
| in the light, bright, yellow cotton dress. On the first | | | | that is most like God. Experience that part; that is |
| day, not seeing her covered face, some observers | | | | our spiritual center and has traditionally been called |
| might be fooled and argue or disagree about the | | | | 'the heart.' |
| woman's identity or description on the second day; | | | | Consciousness Building Activity. Daily in the |
| not realizing underneath the various clothing, it is the | | | | beginning, each traveler needs to add consciousness |
| same young woman wearing the light cotton dress. | | | | expanding and focusing activity. One of the most |
| Things to Know | | | | familiar exercises is meditation, because it teaches |
| In this section, to help spiritual travelers realize their | | | | many things: skills like concentration, focus, and |
| own inner potential, we will examine some of the | | | | switching attention back to the focus word or |
| postulants or learning statements that must be | | | | object. If you have trouble meditating, try another |
| understood about everyday spirituality. | | | | activity, such as prayer or Reflecting the Light. This |
| You Already Are Spiritual. This is true, and an | | | | type of exercise may be learned from a book, class, |
| overriding theme of new age systems and eastern | | | | or a teacher; for many it is part of the learning |
| traditions. We are spiritual beings who have entered | | | | required, to still and push aside that which stands in |
| the earth phase to learn, experience, serve and be | | | | our way.* Usually, specific exercises are bridges to |
| co-creators. When you are ready, no one can stand | | | | something else, and as such, intended for fixed |
| between you and personal, inner, spiritual experience. | | | | periods. |
| However, getting ready to unlock your own | | | | Physical Exercise/Healthy Living. Because we are |
| experience is the challenge, often requiring learning | | | | multi-level beings, we must maintain a balance, or |
| the right things, in the right order, with the right | | | | healthy level of homeostasis, so we can access what |
| people. | | | | lies deep within. When we are in physical or emotional |
| Living In the World Blocks Spiritual Experience. For | | | | pain, it is very difficult to travel inward. Also, when |
| the most part, every day activity, work, and worry | | | | our muscles are tense and we are experiencing |
| block the inner awareness from coming forward. | | | | troubling, repeating thoughts, the journey inward is |
| When focusing on daily life, the 'noise' or vibration of | | | | further slowed. That is why often the prescription to |
| this activity prevents the inner awareness from being | | | | make the daily, inner journey is begun with a |
| accessed and perceived. With a period of training, | | | | cleansing of sorts. As a form of readiness, a hot, |
| travelers can be taught to operate both streams of | | | | relaxing shower to clean-off the 'dirt' of the day, or a |
| consciousness simultaneously. However, this is not a | | | | deep breathing exercise to connect with our inner |
| static condition; the capacity to tune in and use the | | | | rhythm and bring refreshing air and oxygen into our |
| higher consciousness, comes and goes, depending | | | | system, is often suggested. Relaxing, cleansing |
| upon the traveler's capacity and higher needs of the | | | | activity helps tune and make us ready to connect |
| situation. | | | | with our inner current. |
| Consciously, We Create Our Own Reality. All life | | | | Intention. Just about any activity may be done |
| operates through consciousness; which is awareness | | | | for the Higher Destiny; when we are vacuuming the |
| and energy on multiple physical, mental, emotional and | | | | house, driving our children to school or commuting to |
| spiritual levels. Through our soul, which is comprised | | | | work, by offering-up this activity to the Higher, the |
| of a spiritual energy fabric, we create our own | | | | activity becomes something we no longer do for self, |
| multiple level realities, every moment of the day. And | | | | but to make the world a little better.* When you |
| because we are both different and the same, we | | | | arise in the morning, who do you go to work for? |
| share reality we both agree upon and experience | | | | Are you working solely for self or to help others and |
| uniquely. | | | | yourself? Are you picking-up children at the sitters |
| A Completed Person Adds Spiritual Awareness. | | | | and raising them to be more complete people, or |
| The goal of spiritual paths, is to add a measure of | | | | better consumers of all the things they want? Begin |
| conscious, spiritual awareness to the traveler's | | | | to consider your motivation and intention, so, you |
| individual life and day; this awareness serves as an | | | | can turn it over to the higher, and travel further. |
| enriching, enabling element so the traveler can | | | | Repeating the Holy Name. In some traditions, |
| complete daily and higher functions. Each traveler is | | | | travelers are taught by very slowly repeating the |
| unique, and as such has an individual life plan which | | | | Holy Name, with love and reverence over and over, |
| ultimately leads them to join in as co-creator, helping | | | | throughout the day and their lives, they will reach |
| to influence their own and higher destiny of others. | | | | journey's end. Attached to this Name there is Light |
| Traditionally, in this realm, the completed person is | | | | and energy; when you align with the Highest, |
| God's deputy or vicegerent. | | | | gradually, you become one with the Highest. |
| Living Exemplars. In many new age and eastern | | | | Throughout the day, try this simple technique of |
| traditions, the living teacher or exemplar serves as | | | | repeating the Name; see what happens. What do |
| guide to lead the traveler higher. Through the grace | | | | you have to loose? |
| of the path, this person serves higher functions; | | | | Practice Gratitude. When you are feeling down, |
| enabling others to embrace their own latent capacity. | | | | sad or depressed, practice gratitude. When you are |
| This person has a duty to discharge and uses the | | | | at your lowest, take a personal inventory and |
| natural, spiritual laws, to help others reach completion. | | | | number those things for which you are grateful. |
| Unfortunately, there are many imitators, and | | | | Thank yourself or thank the universe for placing |
| travelers need to be cautious; by tradition, the | | | | these things, people, or events into your life. Do this |
| authentic teacher is the earth's greatest resource. | | | | over and over; in using this repetitive cycle of |
| Religion as Business. In every age, religion and | | | | replacement thought, which recounts the good in |
| spirituality have been used as a camouflage and | | | | your life; you will change your consciousness and the |
| business; a way to gain power, money, or satisfy | | | | energy being created. This more positive thought |
| personal emotional needs. Just because something is | | | | pattern has healthy and regenerating energy |
| wrapped in spiritual garb, it does not mean that it will | | | | attached to it. Every one has many things for which |
| not take from you. In fact, this tendency to use | | | | they can be grateful. Think about it. |
| spiritual forms in order to achieve selfish and harmful | | | | Good Deeds. Daily, do something positive, |
| ends, historically, has driven many away and thrown | | | | generous, or helpful for another person. Make a list of |
| one religion against another; and in our world today, | | | | good deeds or positive actions that you want to |
| this is one of the most harmful elements. | | | | accomplish for others. In performing this positive |
| Use Your Common Sense. In selecting a path, if | | | | activity, the good feelings you generate, will be your |
| something seems to be too good or easy, it | | | | reward and the energy attached to your feelings, |
| probably is; and the traveler needs to be wary of | | | | gradually, will change you. If you no longer need to |
| systems that 'guarantee success in 10 easy steps.' In | | | | do these things to help feel better, than do these |
| this endeavor, no one can guarantee anything; your | | | | things for others and the Higher Destiny. By making |
| progress along the Path is dependent upon your | | | | your deeds an offering; you will be joining in the |
| correct effort and the Grace of God. Also, some | | | | Higher Destiny and consciously moving along the Path. |
| Paths prescribe a certain dress, way to look or | | | | Take a Class: If you have time, take a class on |
| similarity of action; they are not flexible about this | | | | spirituality or read a new self improvement book. |
| and codes are strictly enforced. If you are | | | | Challenge yourself, learn something new and examine |
| uncomfortable with these rules, or there seems to | | | | what is happening in this exciting world. Do not be |
| be too much emphasis upon the Master, listen to | | | | afraid to critically examine your own or society's |
| your inner own voice; it is there to protect you. | | | | most cherished beliefs; because that is how the |
| Remnant sects abound, and your own individual Path, | | | | journey to personal enlightenment and higher |
| should be as natural to you as drinking a fresh, clear | | | | knowledge begin. |
| glass of water. | | | | Life as Prayer |
| Selecting a Path. The reason there are many | | | | For the Sufi, daily life and traveling down the highway |
| Paths, is that travelers are different, with changing | | | | is potentially a prayer. Every moment is an |
| needs. If you are not satisfied with the religion of | | | | opportunity to align personal action with the Higher |
| your birth, ask and petition The Radiances of Truth | | | | Impulse. Through intention and by temporarily |
| for a new path to open to you; then when it | | | | surrendering individual need, the spiritual traveler |
| appears, follow it to completion. Remember, in this | | | | makes their commute to work a prayer of |
| matter, there are 2 considerations; first, what Path | | | | joyfulness and service. |
| seems most natural and second, which Path reaches | | | | We were created to participate in everyday affairs, |
| out and embraces you. | | | | using our diverse range of skills to make the world |
| Life as Prayer. In some traditions, the goal of the | | | | better. |
| spiritual traveler is to make their life a prayer; through | | | | Let every action become a prayer. |