The Journey
The Journey of a Spiritual Traveler:
We each arrived on earth for some reason and with uniqueness. Each of us has an authentic place within us from which to express and experience our life. However, we created a false ego to protect the inner essence in our early years. It forms our various masks which we use to protect our wounds. Our false ego also hides and clouds a complete expression of our Authentic Self. Your mission, if you choose to take it …or if it chooses to take you, is to work your way through the layers of pain and false selves and open up your Heart for full feeling and expression ….wherein lives your real true, joyful self.
We each are on a journey. A time of confusion and self discovery. The Hero’s Journey is a fine metaphor for what each of us goes through. Some go a long ways on it during life. Some never really begin. In America many never awaken or take the journey which many refer to as "The Path of Heart". There are many ways out of ever taking the journey. There are many ways to ignore a wake up call: addictions, material goals to the exclusion of all else, unforgiveness, bitterness, and the Catholic’s 7 Deadly sins… pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth.
Mohandas Karamachand Gandhi, one of the most influential figures in modern social and political activism, considered these traits to be the most spiritually perilous to humanity:
- Wealth without Work, Pleasure without Conscience
- Science without Humanity
- Knowledge without Character
- Politics without Principle
- Commerce without Morality
- Worship without Sacrifice.
- [I would add "Religion without Love toward all Mankind]
All of these negative characteristics are blocks to your living a life "From the Heart" and your Authentic Self. The work of getting them eliminated, reduced or under enough control so they don’t ruin and run your life….that is what most of a true Spiritual Path consists of. Doing extensive “pruning” of the negative limbs simply leaves the beneficial ones visible and flourishing. This is the work of a good therapist or mentor. They never "know" what life you "should" be leading, career etc. Their job is to free you of the chains and shackles which restrict your living a free life of choice and Heart inspired expression.
To go a long ways along the Hero’s journey is to move out of a False Ego (selfish oriented to the exclusion of other’s being treated with love and fairness) to a Heart Based life. One of love of self and love of others as the guiding principle.
Coming into your Heart is a difficult process which is not highly honored or taught by our culture. There is very little in our public schools, sports or business environments which place a high value on “living from the heart”. It never results from any "quick fix" or "7 or 9 or 12 Steps to whatever". It is a lifelong journey.
Spirit Camp is founded and dedicated to the personal growth and spirit-led life of individuals, groups, organizations and businesses. Similar to the Golden Rule or the Good Samaritan.
Love and Forgiveness and Living from The Heart are the primary guiding ways of living emphasized, taught and hopefully modeled at Spirit Camp.
Reaching your personal potential helps not only you but the world.
Becoming 100% responsible for yourself and leaving any strand of victimness behind.
Moving from a “me” oriented life into a “me is part of us and they”, often called the “Unitive Level” begets personal joy and happiness.
The Buddhist’s say that everyone desires and deserves freedom from suffering and personal happiness, that we are all to wish loving kindness for every sentient being.
The Christians’ News Testament states “God is Love” and the “Love is the Highest of all gifts”.
The whole essence of the Tao is to let go of ego and control of others. To allow life, not force it. To respect all others and wish for them the same as you wish for yourself. To believe in a higher power and presence of order in the universe.
What's Love got to do with it?