Expanding Our Beliefs
The ultimate goal regarding duality is not discovering and achieving our preferred states of mind and extinguishing their opposites. As all states of mind are useful in certain circumstances, our mission is ongoing observation and discernment of what to empower, what to change and what to process and surrender, so as to further spiritual growth. Discernment must change as we gain more information and experience. Basically, our beliefs must grow for us to grow.
How we act and communicate, under what conditions and to what purpose determines whether we are progressing or regressing spiritually. When sickness brings necessary rest and reflection and offers others opportunities to extend compassion and nurturing, it is an experience of spirituality. When I defend my child against abuse, or dance joyfully in a park on the first day of spring, I am honoring the preciousness of childhood, and its free spirited expressions at any age. When I compulsively attend 12 step meetings to support new sobriety, I am supporting my ability to heal. When I allow my hatred of prejudice to motivate my desire to see divinity and equality in all people, I am demonstrating spirituality.
We must communicate and participate in life experiences with the intent to increase learning and understanding rather than to reaffirm fixed ideas. It is in our best interest to listen to our body, heart, intuition and most importantly our Higher Power, in addition to our mind. What constitutes health, happiness and spiritual growth evolves as we do. Let us awaken to the ever-flowing energy of life. Let us learn from and transcend our personal prisons and wounds. And let us support our highest purpose; to be a blessing to ourselves and others.
