What Is The Spiritual Path?

For many years of my life, I thought the spiritual path had something to do with following one of the major world religions or pursuing an Eastern practice. I even thought it had something to do with morality and ethics.

Today my comprehension of the spiritual path has changed completely. Instead of the complexity of any of the disciplines to becoming a good person, I have found that the path is simple. In fact, some of the greatest atheists have followed it better than many theists. An example that comes to mind is the famous British Philosopher Bertrand Russell, who lived an impeccable life of wisdom, compassion, and grace..

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That is the spiritual path. Everything else--all the theology, philosophy, and practices--lead you to that singular ideal.

Physically, do you like to be murdered, wounded, beaten, or raped? Emotionally, do you like to be humiliated, disenfranchised, betrayed, abandoned, disrespected, alienated, and cast aside? Mentally, do you like to be cheated, swindled, lied to, vilified or misinformed?

Of course not. In fact, your whole body just cringes at the thought of such mishap.

Yet, this is what we do to others. If we are truly savage, we abuse others physically. If a little more sophisticated, we abuse others mentally and emotionally.

And in this process we abuse ourselves.

In actuality, there is no enemy, for we are all connected at the collective unconscious, and the misperception that "they" are different from "us" has been the historical cause of most human suffering. Often this abuse is perpetuated from the collective rules referred to as ethics and morality. What is ethical and moral is defined by who is making up the rules.

Yet the bell that tolls for another, also tolls for thee.

Why do we act in a way that injures others?

It is because we feel a deep void inside of us and we lash out like a wounded animal. We relate to the world from the wounds of apathy, grief, fear, lust, anger, and pride. By striking out, however, we only deepen our own anguish. Although we are only trying to survive, we achieve only more peril.

A spiritual person, however, comes from a completely different perspective. He or she is motivated by feelings of courage, acceptance, and peace.

What does the spiritual path have to do with good psychology? Everything. A sound mind in a sound body.

Can the spiritual path be defined in an even simpler way? Yes. It can be defined as love.

When you love, love, love--you'll be happy, healthy, wealthy, and wise.

The opposite of grief, misery, and unending travail is the spiritual path. While many disciplines may lead to it, the heart will show you the way. Once we shed our habitual narcissism, then the way to courage, acceptance, and peace becomes possible.

Resource Box

Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Ca., 15 years ago and now resides in Denver, Colorado. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life

Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.

---

Dowsing ? Using Divining Rods To Obtain Answers To Your Questions

Divining Rods, also known as Dowsing Rods, have been used... Read More

How Useful is a Dream Dictionary Really?

At the start of your dream journey, one of the... Read More

Anam Cara - Discovering Your Being

The more that "little me" allows surrender the more is... Read More

From Spiritual Cry Baby to Bold Seeker of Truth

Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More

Forgiveness Stories Definition Quotes | Power to Forgive Vested with Human Beings

forgiveness stories quotes definition and loveForgiveness is that quality in... Read More

Bone Box of the Rich and Famous

The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More

Zen and Peace (The Road To Lasting Harmony)

Presently, many of us live in uncertainty. Due to the... Read More

Ego - Why Do We Have One?

Why do we have an Ego?Almost all spiritual guides say... Read More

Why Good Things Happen to Bad People

One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More

Satan... Im Not Impressed!

One important factor in how we go through life is... Read More

The Woodstock Effect: And Weve Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden

Woodstock, the watershed event for a generation, had a far... Read More

Surrounded By His Glory

As communion was being passed this morning, I listened to... Read More

Understanding a Tarot Card Reading

Getting the most from a Tarot card reading relies on... Read More

Belief, Designed For Life!

Liam says to Joe; "where is your God now, when... Read More

How to Hear the Voice of God

In this series I would like to take you through... Read More

Romantic Relationships: A Spiritual Perspective

Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More

Amazing Faith

Last week, I sat at my computer and watched the... Read More

Alone in a World Filled With Only Me

We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More

I Think Ill Just Go Fishin

I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More

No Other gods Before Me

The passenger had to be carried onto the plane and... Read More

Ten Soul-Tending Principles for Women

Feeling restless? Is part of you calling out for change,... Read More

Christian Ethics & Servant Leadership in Todays Workplace & Society

Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice,... Read More

An Open Invitation

"All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More

The Slippery Halls of Perspective.

As we walk these halls of Life viewing the world... Read More

Echos Transition

Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere,... Read More

Geralds Story - A Tribute to Valor

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that... Read More

What Does Jesus Expect?

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS... Read More

Who Am I?

Who Are you?Have you ever asked yourself the question 'Who... Read More

The Abundant Life!

Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in... Read More

How Much Do You Love Me?

Love...it's a deep emotion. Sometimes we say it in jest... Read More

Heaven Bound: Win The Race!

Billy Graham once said, "Being a Christian is more than... Read More

Getting Beyond Imperfect Examples & Resistance, to Receiving Loving Guidance & Help from the Father

As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More

Selfishness is a True Declaration of Lifes Purpose

In your quest for enlightenment, always ask what's in it... Read More