My Way Or The Highway?

spiritualnotreligious.blogspot.com

What constitutes the right path towards divinity and truth? The question may seem particularly relevant now when we are practically bombarded with a multitude of spiritual systems and practices that have been making their way into the mainstream, thanks to the power of mass media and the Internet. Some of them are fakes while others are authentic spiritual systems and practices. That in itself is already confusing enough, but add in the dizzying array of choices the seeker is faced with and one can come out even more confused than before.

How then should a seeker decide? On the one hand are more traditional spiritual practices, full of ritual, technique and ceremony. On the other side of the coin are those who go for a minimalist approach or who even advise no system at all, contending that the divine cannot be apprehended through mere forms and that forms are in essence illusions anyway. And even among these two approaches, there are contrasting beliefs, ideologies and methodologies about what constitutes the divine, what one's role in the universe is, what the universe even is, the limits of what one can do to influence Nature, etc.

I witnessed the interaction of such opposing viewpoints in an online discussion about programming for prosperity. One opinion contended that prosperity couldn't be programmed and that it simply comes from a proper way of life. The implication then is that if one tried to chase after prosperity through a series of procedures, the same way one inserts a coin in a vending machine and expects a treat to come out, then one could be deluding oneself and wasting one's time. It does not help that there are cases of people who have booked success in using such techniques while others have had negative results. How then is such an issue tackled?

In my personal opinion, the whole point is not in the particular technique itself but the place or consciousness that the technique is supposed to bring oneself to. No technique can be said to be wrong as long as it brings you to that place. What is this place? The realization of the divine in you.

What may be in question is the suitability of a particular technique to your unique temperament and character. For some people, that means winding and elaborate rituals in order to get to this place, for others it may just entail a simple method of relaxation and mental conditioning.

Therefore, if a seeker has found his/her path (the path that brings him/her to that place), then perhaps there really is no need for that person to keep chasing after techniques. But if one hasn't found a particular path that one is comfortable with, then we should support that person and provide opportunities to discover such a path, mainly by sharing our knowledge in case the particular knowledge we hold happens to be the key that will lead that particular seeker on his/her compatible path. I certainly have no right to discourage or tell the seeker that his/her path is wrong simply because it's different from the path I am following. Simply show the way and let the seeker find out for himself/herself (but don't forget common sense; if a particular path involves human sacrifice or something, call that person out, or call the police!).

What may be a very viable, important and needed path for me could be quite detrimental or simply unfruitful for another. As one can see, there is no one path, and that is why dogma is dangerous. All roads lead to Rome, but the very sentence implies that the roads come from different directions. You cannot hold everyone to the same path.

Let's not forget that there are different paths for different stages of development. A professional cyclist doesn't need those little balancing side wheels in order to keep a bike in balance, yet for a toddler just learning how to ride a bike such side wheels are absolutely important. Would it be right for the cyclist to insist to the toddler that such side wheels are not necessary, simply because he doesn't need it himself? Would it be right to subject the said toddler to numerous falls and possible injuries until the toddler finally "gets the hang of it" without using the balancing aid? In the spiritual path, sometimes "finally getting the hang of it" means recovering from kundalini syndrome or other problems brought about by spiritual practices that one is not ready for or compatible with.

It all boils down to discernment and common sense. This is why even the Buddha said not to accept his words unless one has studied them and determined them to be the truth. Incorporate those spiritual practices that one resonates with and set aside the others, not necessarily because they are wrong, but either because one may not be ready for them or because one may have already outgrown such practices. But as you give yourself such a leeway, also give leeway to others who may not be as far along the path as you are.

In the end, only you yourself will recognize the path you need to be on. Be true to yourself and don't follow a series of practices simply because "that's how the famous guys do it." Such is the path to the dark side, as the Jedi Master Yoda would say. But seriously, keep smart so that you can keep safe.