HE, SHE, THEY ARE NOT OUR PROBLEM

When we begin our journey seeking spiritual growth we are told that all we need change is...everything. Specifically, every thought we have. In happy ignorance, we're fine with that. We'll return there to be reminded repeatedly...if we're doing it right.

The first lesson, which is never, ever ending, is reason opposes spiritual. We must go beyond reason to love. When we accept that, we learn we are the source of all our woes. Graced with acceptance of those truths puts us on the right path...learning to love.

That which the Buddha, Mohammad, Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., all the greats, taught and that which we hear are two entirely different things. It all depends if we are listening for to reason or hearing for to love. 

Hearing to love, we realize all those greats taught love plain and simple. Love, not as sentimentality, but love that is self-forgetful and free of self-interest. One way to love is, if someone slaps you upside your head, you turn the other cheek...or, to show love tirelessly, no matter what happens. That’s the meaning of turning the other cheek (from a Meditation of Fr Richard Rohr).

Listening to reason, we interpret turn the other cheek as meaning we become a lapdog, or, worse, a rug for others to wipe their feet on. Reminder: We must go beyond reason....

We often make the mistake of thinking we need to discipline our ego...or kill it...neither of which are possible, according to me. I'm convinced the only way to make peace with our ego is to love it, too. Our reasoning mind it is that needs discipline...through books we read that are spiritual in nature, people we are drawn to and their teachings, our intuitive meditations and whatever else is gifted us.

Ego is always legislating for self. Our egoic intent begins the endless cycle of what goes around comes around and includes hurt people hurt people.

Another basic spiritual-growth lesson that we learn, accept and love: Our toes get stepped on seemingly without provocation. Invariably we find we have made a decision based on self that later placed us in a position to be hurt. -- Anonymous

We can justify till our face falls off, even bring in Dr. Know to agree with us, but still more spiritual growth never recognizes him, her, them as our problem. We are the source of all our woes.

Here now, God's mellow glory, love and laughter:  We have met the enemy and he is us -- Pogo.

Thank you.