Tag: spiritual

Spiritual Enlightenment

YouTube: Spiritual Enlightenment, What It Means

This week someone asked me what I thought it meant to be spiritually enlightened. Is it a state we reach or is it an understanding that we are unlimited beings that will never reach a spiritual stopping place? Great question.

From what I have observed, many believe it is a state we reach. This seems to be a motivating factor behind much of our quest for further spiritual knowledge.

I think of how far we have come in our exploration of the world and the universe as a whole. Early adventurers explored the earth from wind-driven ships. If they could see the technology we use today, they would probably consider us an enlightened people. From our point of view, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of having reached a stopping place. I think most of us would agree that we’re just getting started.

Why would this be? Because we live in a universe of infinite possibility. There is no point of arrival, no stopping place. As Walt Whitman wrote,

“There is no stoppage and never can be stoppage,
If I, you, and the worlds, and all beneath or upon their surfaces, were this moment reduced back to a pallid float, it would not avail in the long run,
We should surely bring up again where we now stand,
And surely go as much farther, and then farther and farther.” Walt Whitman, Song to Myself 

Spiritual enlightenment, then, would be better described as the state of knowing there are no limits imposed on our being. As spiritual beings having a human experience, it is easy to forget that we are much more than the human side. Spiritual enlightenment is living from the awareness of this greater reality.   

My Truth?

YouTube: My Truth?

My truth. What does this mean? With 8 billion people on this planet, are we to assume there are 8 billion truths? I think not. There are 8 billion perceptions of Truth. If I am growing, my truth today will not be my truth tomorrow.

In my book on Meditation and Prayer, I suggest that the desire of God is unlimited expression. Perfection is not a state we reach; it is an attitude that allows for further growth. To be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect[1] is to be open to the Truth beyond my truth and your truth. By so doing, further expression is possible. God is not hindered by these walls we build but simply flows around them. It is we who are imprisoned.

The moment a person says, my truth, they are erecting a circular wall designed specifically to protect a weakness. And what is the weakness? Treating their current perception of truth as if it is sacred. To evolve a strength is to become willing to tear down this wall so the ongoing quest to know the freeing Truth may resume.

To honor another’s right to hold their truth is not the same as honoring their perception of truth. What if my truth does not align with your truth? Do we just ignore it, or do we discuss reasons why this alignment does not occur? If we are interested in growth, then we do not make an all-out effort to protect the wall, but rather to delve into the conflict, see what the sticking points are, and seek to understand why we have placed so much value on a perception that may change tomorrow. Truth, as one currently perceives it, should not be held as sacred. Only Truth beyond current perception is the sacred

For the one interested in spiritual growth, your truth today will not be your truth tomorrow. My truth and your truth are not sacred. These are only temporary views of eternal Reality. Only the Truth of this Reality is sacred. 

[1] Matthew 5:48