| One of the many things the western spiritual | | | | development; and in order for this development |
| seeker has to face is that within the context of | | | | to mature, a period of spiritual learning must |
| our culture there is limited discussion and | | | | occur. |
| awareness concerning the outcome of spiritual | | | | The outcome of this multi-faceted development- |
| learning. Also, western spiritual travelers may have | | | | is a person who is equally concerned for their |
| romantic ideas about what they will look like after | | | | neighbor as they are for themselves and their |
| they have reached 'spiritual completion,' i.e., added | | | | family. Daily, the completed personuses all of their |
| a measure of spiritual capacity. Often, these | | | | abilities to make the world a better place, because |
| expectations in part prevent the development | | | | they are attuned through spiritual development to |
| that is actually possible. | | | | the higher impulse. They go to work everyday, |
| Yet, in other (eastern) cultures more familiar | | | | raise their family, and commute to work on over |
| examples of the exemplar or 'wise one' exist; one | | | | crowded highways. They are part of the world, |
| who has balanced self and added a degree of | | | | but have kept a part of them self detached and |
| spiritual learning/capacity to their own daily | | | | sacred. This aspect surrenders to the higher |
| consciousness; thereby helping self and others by | | | | impulse, is part of their soul, and helps integrate all |
| tuning into something higher. | | | | of their capacities into our modern, hectic life. |
| Beginning Exploration | | | | Individual Awakening |
| In our culture, we have just begun serious | | | | In the 1950's, these traditions began purposefully |
| discussion and exploration of the question: | | | | exerting their guiding influence upon our western |
| individually, what is the outcome of spiritual | | | | culture. In order for these influences to mature |
| learning? | | | | and take hold, many things occurred and will need |
| Often in the past, familiar examples of spiritually | | | | to occur. One of these being selected individual's |
| advanced travelers fell into the category of | | | | awakening, understanding the outcome and |
| popular 'Hollywood characterizations." For example, | | | | potential of a more spiritual life, and exerting their |
| I remember my friends when we began our | | | | newly awakened influence upon their individual |
| spiritual journey wondering, after we had suffered | | | | sphere of activity. In this way, the world will |
| and purified self, 'will God talk to us and tell us | | | | become a better place, one person at a time. |
| how to part the Red Sea?' Or after we perform | | | | Today, this is a potential waiting to bud; both in |
| 3 miracles, will we be ready for sainthood?' Being | | | | our society and within the individual. |
| unfamiliar with actual outcomes, often we | | | | Spiritual Sight |
| made-up jokes about all of this. | | | | That which is permanent is seldom known to the |
| In our culture, the skills and capacities of 'wise | | | | senses. It must be perceived by another capacity. |
| one' have been transferred to a whole host of | | | | Until this capacity or organ of perception is |
| 'professionals.' We have guidance counselors, | | | | awakened, we are like children playing with fire. |
| fortune tellers, therapists, life coaches, clergy, | | | | Sooner or later our actions will create problems |
| physicians, scientists and self-help books to tackle | | | | for us. |
| questions like: How do we reach human | | | | The completed individual, or enlightened one, is |
| excellence? At what point do science, religion and | | | | able to temper their expectation with reality. |
| medicine meet? Or how is spiritual development | | | | Often it is our reaction to daily events and not |
| helpful in our highly complex daily life? | | | | the events themselves which pose the lasting |
| Fortunately, for all of us, the answer to these | | | | problem. |
| questions and methods to reach human | | | | We must learn to view and accept what is |
| excellence, through spiritual development, were | | | | present; not what we want or expect to be |
| perfected millennia ago. Authentic traditions exist, | | | | present. By clouding reality with expectation and |
| and slowly their hidden effect upon individuals is | | | | desire we shift off center. This lack of balance, in |
| percolating its way into our main stream culture | | | | turn, prevents us from perceiving what is actually |
| and every day consciousness. | | | | before us. |
| Plan for Humanity | | | | This capacity or necessary 'attitude' to view what |
| These traditions assert: humanity, as a whole, has | | | | is actually present may be learned. It is the |
| a cosmic mission/plan and over the ages is | | | | birthright of humanity and is taught to those who |
| reaching higher. Within this Plan, it is each person's | | | | are capable of using it in the proper way. This |
| destiny to reach toward human excellence and | | | | spiritual sight is a matter of function; it becomes |
| become a more completed person. This | | | | available so it may be used to benefit others. By |
| development is accomplished one person at a | | | | learning to view what is actually present, we are |
| time and includes the balancing of many skills and | | | | then able to perceive higher or spiritual realities |
| capacities. One of these skills being- spiritual | | | | which manifest in this realm. |