Directions

When I was in Paris recently, Bill and I emerged from the Metro knowing we needed to go a short walk to our destination, but not entirely sure which direction. As were we doing the familiar which street is where pivot that had become our default, there was a local woman standing nearby who said the name of one of the streets. I then realized I didn’t need to know which street as much as I needed to know which way to go. I pointed on the map to the church that was our aim, and she pointed to the street that we needed and then to the right. With a ‘Merci,’ we followed her directions and after climbing a lot of stairs arrived at Sacre Coeur Basilica.

Asking for directions is a fairly simple and effective solution when you are trying to find your way in a new town. The history of directions when it comes to the spiritual journey is much more complicated.

When I was a teenager, I remember having what I might call now a transcendent experience during the music at a Youth of Unity conference. I could have followed he path of many seekers before me and decided that I needed to be listening to that music in that environment to have further such experiences. It makes logical sense, if I go to the same place and do the same thing as last time I had a spiritual experience, it will happen again. But it doesn’t always happen, in part because we forget that we are not the same as we were the first time. We bring different concerns, different experiences, and of course we now have brought the expectation of something special.

Spiritual leaders/gurus/etc will sometimes give detailed explanations/rules on what you should do to further your spiritual path. I believe there is value in creating a consistent spiritual practice, because we are creatures of habit and it keeps us on track, but it’s not what makes the practice special or effective. Unfortunately, some folks slide into worshiping the person or location that was part of their spiritual experience as a substitute to continuing the journey.

The Buddhists warn not to mistake the hand pointing at the moon as the moon. As helpful as the lady by the Metro was, she was not the Basilica, she was the direction giver. We had to decide to follow, we decided our speed, and even if we would go all the way to the destination.

I have had many teachers on my journey, some were formally teachers, others were friends, classmates, and the occasional person who I didn’t want to be around. They have all had a part in the zig zaggy path I have trod to get where I am, as signposts pointing where I could choose to go next. However, in the end I had to determine for myself if a path or practice was right for me.

If a particular posture, music, or talisman help you get in the spiritual zone, so be it. Remember they are signposts pointing the way, and that the power to center and have a spiritual experience lies, as it always has, within you.

As always doing my best to point the way but not tell you where to go,
Rachel