You go the honorable way that isn't popular because it's uncomfortable. You won't ever get credit for it. I think accountability is the foundation of all of it. Pain and hardship are there to show you where you went wrong so you don't repeat it and fear shows where you still can grow. The people avoiding those are walking without a guide. The one thing you probably didn't see yet is how much pain and sorrow this path will spare you throughout life. But most people don't grasp concepts where there is no visible payoff.
No sooner is the universe reduced to tepid aphorisms than are those aphorisms distorted to torture those who wish to do well, but find it impossible to do so without donning a heavy cloak of masochism. Nowhere in scriptures does it say "be an idiot and submit to predation."
That said, you are right. The spiritual path is a pain in the neck, and other regions. That's why they call it the narrow gate.
I resonated so much with this. Before I started emotional recovery, my yardstick for how a day went was how good I felt - more good vibes, better day. Avoid stress, chase comfort. Now I see that a day is measured by the quality of my actions - did I make choices I am proud of that will serve me and others, even if it was difficult or unpleasant? But there are all sorts of new prizes to be won in that world, like the subtle victory of taking a failure gracefully, or being able to laugh at your own incompetence instead of ruminating on it.
Natalie, this essay shook me to my core as I see all the patterns in myself and others. Practical question: how do you deal with situations where you have outgrown people (intellectually/emotionally) and your interactions with them are no longer fulfilling? The dynamic is more student/teacher than two equals. This is in regards to “you can’t use it to justify leaving people who no longer meet your expectations”
Conscious to me means something different to the spiritual path. The spiritual path involves rituals and sacred technologies rooted in traditions. Conscious is a word of new age spirituality.
Amusing and pertinent. It gives you no quarter for sure, but I think it throws the baby out with the bath water - I think you can still love these things and, above all, yourself. Robert Adam and Ramana Maharshi have become my gurus, particularly because they were non-gurus - they didn't encourage followers, but the ones that did follow were mainly offered silence and a smile as they believed no one needed fixing, need to seek, be on a path.
If you read to the end, you will see that I haven't and wouldn't throw any of it away. I'm having a whinge about a life of accountability without rejecting its necessity.
I did read to the end, Nathalie, particularly I could see a twist was coming. I understood the whinge about accountability, too. What I have learnt recently, and I hesitate to say on my spiritual path and journey because I owe it accidentally to some extent to the You Tube algorithm is that the mind/ego is a trickster, getting you ensnared in attachments, pride, various types of self-indulgence. It wants to keep you hooked and doesn’t want to lose you, which gives the impression that the spiritual path is a constant struggle in which you never achieve enlightenment. However, what is encouraging about Ramana Maharshi and his follower, Robert Adam’s teaching is that this is normal and we shouldn’t fret, despair or get too frustrated, which I have done in the past and simply chip away at the mind, the ego by returning home to yourself, consciousness, the non-egoic part and the more this is done, the ego loses some of its strength. I suppose where accountability applies to me is acknowledging I’ve gone off track again and the ego has been leading me astray again. I think it’s very difficult when you are wrapped up in the world of work or the world of work wraps you up to consistently keep in touch with your spiritual side. When I retired nearly 3 years ago, I had a battle with ego death - not being needed and valued, feeling superfluous. It’s taken me this time to overcome it and now feel spiritually in a better place to find my eternal self although I am at an early stage and this is an ongoing process. BTW, I did enjoy your piece and thought it was valuable. I think the ‘throwing out the baby…’ remark was not really appropriate so sorry for that.
Analytical is okay, I guess. But maybe get yourself a ukulele. They're cheap (certainly cheaper than an airfare to India) and pretty easy to learn how to play. You'll smile. And those around you, within earshot, will too. I'm sure that you and they have lovely smiles.
Funny, I love it for all the same reasons.
You go the honorable way that isn't popular because it's uncomfortable. You won't ever get credit for it. I think accountability is the foundation of all of it. Pain and hardship are there to show you where you went wrong so you don't repeat it and fear shows where you still can grow. The people avoiding those are walking without a guide. The one thing you probably didn't see yet is how much pain and sorrow this path will spare you throughout life. But most people don't grasp concepts where there is no visible payoff.
No sooner is the universe reduced to tepid aphorisms than are those aphorisms distorted to torture those who wish to do well, but find it impossible to do so without donning a heavy cloak of masochism. Nowhere in scriptures does it say "be an idiot and submit to predation."
That said, you are right. The spiritual path is a pain in the neck, and other regions. That's why they call it the narrow gate.
I loved this so much. I feel exactly this. Certain phrases are exactly what I experienced. 🩷
This is my vent while in India so I'm glad my pain is resonating with many!
Wow! So good. 💗
Thank you!
I resonated so much with this. Before I started emotional recovery, my yardstick for how a day went was how good I felt - more good vibes, better day. Avoid stress, chase comfort. Now I see that a day is measured by the quality of my actions - did I make choices I am proud of that will serve me and others, even if it was difficult or unpleasant? But there are all sorts of new prizes to be won in that world, like the subtle victory of taking a failure gracefully, or being able to laugh at your own incompetence instead of ruminating on it.
Natalie, this essay shook me to my core as I see all the patterns in myself and others. Practical question: how do you deal with situations where you have outgrown people (intellectually/emotionally) and your interactions with them are no longer fulfilling? The dynamic is more student/teacher than two equals. This is in regards to “you can’t use it to justify leaving people who no longer meet your expectations”
Accountability...
...sucks. But is necessary
Hi I would say the word is "conscious" instead of spiritual.
It includes the physical, spiritual, and so much more and yet doesn't let go of the seeking nor is imposed.
Saying this basedbon just listening to an audio class by Dr Dain Heer called "Choice", available on the app Access.me
Conscious to me means something different to the spiritual path. The spiritual path involves rituals and sacred technologies rooted in traditions. Conscious is a word of new age spirituality.
Amusing and pertinent. It gives you no quarter for sure, but I think it throws the baby out with the bath water - I think you can still love these things and, above all, yourself. Robert Adam and Ramana Maharshi have become my gurus, particularly because they were non-gurus - they didn't encourage followers, but the ones that did follow were mainly offered silence and a smile as they believed no one needed fixing, need to seek, be on a path.
If you read to the end, you will see that I haven't and wouldn't throw any of it away. I'm having a whinge about a life of accountability without rejecting its necessity.
I did read to the end, Nathalie, particularly I could see a twist was coming. I understood the whinge about accountability, too. What I have learnt recently, and I hesitate to say on my spiritual path and journey because I owe it accidentally to some extent to the You Tube algorithm is that the mind/ego is a trickster, getting you ensnared in attachments, pride, various types of self-indulgence. It wants to keep you hooked and doesn’t want to lose you, which gives the impression that the spiritual path is a constant struggle in which you never achieve enlightenment. However, what is encouraging about Ramana Maharshi and his follower, Robert Adam’s teaching is that this is normal and we shouldn’t fret, despair or get too frustrated, which I have done in the past and simply chip away at the mind, the ego by returning home to yourself, consciousness, the non-egoic part and the more this is done, the ego loses some of its strength. I suppose where accountability applies to me is acknowledging I’ve gone off track again and the ego has been leading me astray again. I think it’s very difficult when you are wrapped up in the world of work or the world of work wraps you up to consistently keep in touch with your spiritual side. When I retired nearly 3 years ago, I had a battle with ego death - not being needed and valued, feeling superfluous. It’s taken me this time to overcome it and now feel spiritually in a better place to find my eternal self although I am at an early stage and this is an ongoing process. BTW, I did enjoy your piece and thought it was valuable. I think the ‘throwing out the baby…’ remark was not really appropriate so sorry for that.
This is probably one of my favorite pieces of yours and there are so many! This one hits and tickles different!
Then you Karina! It’s more personal that my other work. Perhaps that makes it more accessible and engaging?
Yes, it does!
Ah! Maybe.
Agreed!
I hate this essay because I cannot pretend to ignore that I haven’t read it, nor that it hasn’t read me.
Analytical is okay, I guess. But maybe get yourself a ukulele. They're cheap (certainly cheaper than an airfare to India) and pretty easy to learn how to play. You'll smile. And those around you, within earshot, will too. I'm sure that you and they have lovely smiles.
Yes! Agreed!
I love this.
Thank you! Can you tell I’ve been to India recently?
That made me cry. Thank you so much 🙏🙏