Imagine a guy who's facing a crisis. Perhaps he's about to be fired from his job, or has already been fired. Maybe the bank is out to repossess his house, or maybe his wife or girlfriend just left him. Perhaps all of the above. Whatever the crisis, it's seemingly out of his control, so he picks up a rosary and stumbles over words that he hasn't recited since high school, and prays desperately for things to turn around.
If we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that we have gone through at least one low point in our lives. What constitutes a low point and its severity differs from person to person but it's recognizable by the way it negatively impacts one's sense of worth and purpose. The low point can last for as little as several seconds, or as long as several years. People sometimes call this being in a funk.
A person of weaker will may resort to suicide, while others pick up the pieces and move on, though perhaps still carrying the inner wounds of the experience. More often than not, people turn to prayer. It doesn't matter if it's a simple, "Oh God, please help!" or an elaborate nine day novena, the intent is the same: when things are seemingly beyond us, we call upon what we feel is beyond the realm of everyday existence to get us through that crisis.
What are we really searching for when we make that cry for help? Must we always wait until our backs are to the wall before we reach out to the Divine?
Imagine how you feel when you're happy and content. How does it feel when everything goes right, like when the train arrives just as you step on the platform, or you find a vacant table just as you enter a packed restaurant, or when your child takes that first step on his own? When you are in that state, no matter if it's just for a second, it seems that all worries and fears melt away within that moment. What you have in that moment is a measure of inner peace.
Now imagine if you could draw that moment out, so that instead of just one second, you extend that state for a few minutes, a few hours, a few days, until it becomes your normal state of mind? Is that even possible?
One of the reasons for being in a low point is a sense of disconnection. Sense of purpose and intent become unclear, and it feels like everything and everyone is conspiring to trip you up. It's like you're a piece of flotsam being tossed about by waves of chance and the fickle whims of fate. There is no firm ground because everything is in a state of flux.
And yet ancient teachings have always stated that there is a part of us that is eternal and never changing, and that is the soul. Even orthodox religion teaches that. Why is this so? Because the soul is the part of God that is you.
What does the soul have to do with achieving success and fulfillment in life? Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, then the qualities that we would attribute to the Divine, such as happiness, inner strength, success, love, noble purpose and virtuous living are also embodied in the soul.
The soul is that aspect of God that is nearest to you. Therefore if you want to make your life as meaningful as possible it would make sense to stay connected with your soul. Yet in the chaos of everyday life, few of us ever hear the whispers of our Eternal Self. And we wonder why our lives seem to be in such a mess.
How then is the modern person who is grasping for more meaning in life supposed to rebuild whatever connection that was lost in the midst of the heavy toils of maintaining physical existence and survival?
Aside from virtuous living and character building, there are esoteric techniques that have been practiced throughout the ages by spiritual initiates in order to enhance and nurture this connection with the soul. I'm not talking about the rote repetition of canned prayers recited throughout the day, though when said with intent, these prayers do contribute to one's spiritual growth. These techniques I talk about mark the divergence between orthodox religion and esoteric spirituality.
These teachings I mention constitute an inner science of the soul. "Science" within this context refers to a methodology of consistent guidelines and techniques that lead to predictable results.
Luckily, one need not become a hermit or enter a monastery in order to learn these teachings because there are many esoteric schools that have opened their doors to the public, if one knew where and how to look. As one who comes from a pranic healing background, I can say that part of this inner science can be found in the seminar Achieving Oneness with the Soul.
This is why I find it highly significant that late last month, the Pranic Healing Foundation of the Philippines decided to offer the Achieving Oneness with the Soul seminar directly to the public, without any course pre-requisites. Previously, one needed to complete the healing courses (Basic, Advanced and Psychotherapy) in order to take Achieving Oneness with the Soul. This was changed so that people who may not be interested in becoming a healer can take the spiritual courses without having to go through the healing track.
I really believe this offers a priceless opportunity for the public, especially for those looking for inner peace and fulfillment in their lives. If you have the chance to attend this seminar or a similar one, I highly encourage you to take it.
They say when one suddenly starts questioning one's place in life in spite of material wealth and comfort, that person has reached a state of spiritual restlessness. This restlessness can only be assuaged when the person starts developing that connection with one's soul.
One of my Facebook contacts posted a wonderful quote on his wall, and I'd like to end with that quote:
"Never mistake your net-worth for self-worth, nor confuse your value with your valuables." - Rick Warren
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