Two Ways Of Viewing Spirituality
There is a misconception that many have regarding spirituality. Simply stated, it is the view that enlightenment results in some kind of divine acquisition. Something you don’t have is imagined to be added to you and after that point everything will be OK. Life will become easy and painless. “If only I had what these sages have…”
Thinking about this issue sparked the following illustration which is fun and hopefully clarifies the point nicely.
Two friends and spiritual seekers travel far and wide to find a true master from which they hope to receive grace and wisdom.
Upon arrival they prostrate and provide offerings. The master asks “You have traveled a great distance, what is it you would ask of me?”
The travelers share their wishes to receive grace and wisdom so that they could be happy and peaceful from that day forth. The master remains silent for a few moments then replies “I will only give one of you a gift. You both will leave changed however.”
Looking at each other they immediately feel a rush of excitement and then one of concern. Which one would receive the gift?!?
Before they can sink too deeply into their jealousy and self concern the master looks to one and with extended arms presents a flawless gemstone. She says “This stone will infuse upon you an aura of holiness and attract good fortune to you.”
The seeker thanks the master profusely and takes the gemstone holding it tightly to his chest. The other seeker can barely hide the feeling of hope draining out of him and into the dirt beneath his feet.
The master reaches over toward the fire pit where dinner is being roasted. Grabbing a steaming hot potato she exclaims “Your turn!” and tosses the second seeker the food.
“OUCH! That’s hot!” yells the man as he tosses what he felt was a truly crappy gift back to the master. In a display of incredible agility, and all while laughing heartily, she catches and slices the potato and it falls onto her plate.
Unamused, the second seeker poured water on his hands to stop the burning.
“Come back to me in two weeks time.” she says.
Shortly after they return she asks “how have you fared?”
The seeker who received the gem shared that the first week was amazing but the gem must have lost its charge because things haven’t gone well the past few days. The seeker who caught the potato said that the burns have healed and he was feeling much better.
“The peace and happiness you seek are this way also. Anything you add, whether objects or powers, will cease to provide you benefit sooner or later. True awakening is about the loss of something you mistook as your self, not the gaining of something else, however divine, to cling to!”
While I’d like to say they were magically enlightened on the spot I can’t. The way was cleared for understanding to come in its own time, however. Which it did.