Page 46 - NAMAH-Jan-2017
P. 46
Namah Vol. 24, Issue 4, 15th January 2017
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t to express themselves, and great vigilance
and sometimes we come to a point where it all is required to refuse them this opportunity
crumbles to pieces. That’s when we see what (3). If our negative qualities and emotions
we’re really carrying with us. It either breaks are stronger than we are, they’ll dominate
us down or we take the time to evaluate: what us, but if we become stronger than they
are the foundations I’m standing on? How are, we master them. Gaining this mastery
do I know myself? What is the relationship I can be a long and slow path. We must look
have with myself? Do I take care of myself? at what we are carrying with us through
Do I listen to myself? Do I respect myself? meditative awareness and learn to see
Do I take time to get to know and to listen to ourselves the way we are without judgment.
my soul? And, of course, the microcosm, our Then, with sincerity and determined self-
relationship to ourselves, sets the stage for effort, we withdraw our energy from the
the macrocosm, our relationship to others, negative qualities and invest our energy in
society and nature. counterbalancing positive qualities. It is not
simply a question of eliminating the negative,
The importance of self-knowledge is found but of simultaneously building the positive.
in every major spiritual tradition and in the When we build strength and are in a positive
more holistic approaches to psychology state, we have more strength for resisting our
as well. Ram Dass believes that for those negative qualities and eventually mastering
pursuing spiritual growth, psychological them. This requires strong will, vigilance and
growth is as important as spiritual discipline work. It is easier not to face that challenge,
(1). Rowan agrees: but then our life is reduced to compromise
and mediocrity. Inner growth is not easy; it
“It turns out that personal growth work is is the greatest and hardest of undertakings,
not an optional extra, it is an essential step but also the most noble and enriching.
on the spiritual path. In the past, people often
embarked on the spiritual path without having Our exploration is not limited to our
done this work, and promptly fell prey to psychological self. It spans what I call the
demons, devils, elementals and so forth — most psycho-spiritual spectrum. We come face
of which were projections of their own shadow, to face with our psychological wounds and
their own nastiness (2).” limiting beliefs on one end of the spectrum.
On the other, we may encounter higher
Addressing problems in thinking patterns, states, psychic powers and other subtle
strengthening the will and increasing vigilance phenomenon. Dürckheim suggests that,
complements deep inner spiritual and body- “People who have already gone as far as reason
mind work. Uplifting our consciousness will take them are the likeliest, in our day, to
and addressing our shadow places us in the see and recognize Being which reason cannot
best position possible to provide wholesome grasp, and to register the qualities in which it
insights for our clients. first speaks to us (4).” This is not necessarily
a linear progression; it unfolds, as it will.
Sri Aurobindo explains that our negative
qualities are always looking for an opportunity The aspiration to heal and become whole
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