Stepping onto the Path
Aspiration to Ascension
These days, there is a lot of talk about Earth changes, expanded awareness, often stated in dimensional terms, and containing the promise of becoming more spiritual . . . as opposed to materialistic. One can certainly see this trend as well as countless shadows that would suggest that not everyone is riding this wave. There are “traditional” ways that people have for thousands of years prepared to ascend; and there are some New Age methods that, on surface, would seem less arduous.
They say, every journey begins with a first step. In this instance, the desire to align with spirit usually wells up inside oneself and foments the decision to take the steps. In the ancient systems, this journey often involved formal commitments, usually encompassing efforts to perfect oneself and sometimes to abstain from certain activities and habits that were considered as interferences with one’s spiritual progress. In my early days, I felt that Asia was the repository of wisdom, but what some cultivated under the guidance of master was seldom the norm in the West where a lot of karmic credits were earned by good deeds. The level of charitable endeavor is truly highly developed in much of the West; but, in recent centuries, there have been relatively few credible places where one could safely entrust guidance on the journey to an individual who had developed the understanding of a sage. This has been changing rapidly in the last century or more; but, of course, there are many paths and some are inherently much safer than others.
Still, we must put the emphasis where it belongs and this is on intention. Before one can take that first step, the intention must mature and only then can the journey begin.
What happens on this journey? First, one starts to see events on a wider screen. Instead of focusing on the details of one’s personal experiences, one takes in more characters and nuances. Eventually, one is no longer the center of one’s dramas but an observer of a collection of forces acting out one script in an Earth theater. Examination of the details might give rise to questions about the most positive role one can play. Inevitably, this will involve harmonization of as many discordant influences as possible. One becomes a peacemaker, a protector of the most vulnerable, and actively engaged in the journey of the soul.
This can be achieved without sitting cross-legged, without mumbling mantras and shuffling beads, and without a guru. Of course, it is always helpful to have the guidance of someone much further along on the Path, but what we are seeing on a very large scale today, particularly in the West, is that contemplation, reflection, and receptivity are seldom the specific tools of the traveler. One may choose, for instance, to participate in gatherings of large groups who are celebrating a celestial event or taking the initiative to activate a certain sacred place on Earth.
Intent
My goal today is not to compare ancient and modern or Eastern and Western but simply to put the emphasis on intent. Before one embarks on the journey of self-perfection, one must orient oneself to the goal. Then, besides the many good deeds that may be performed, one is forever perfecting oneself. Many people are satisfied with who they seem to be; others are aware of possibilities for self-improvement. There is no specific starting point, but if someone were asking me for advice, I would say that the first step is harmlessness. What one does should not hurt anyone else. This is a very broad statement; and in my case includes 100% opposition to violence, war, and capital punishment. I believe society has a responsibility for protecting its citizens so it can isolate those who pose a danger to others; but it cannot execute them.
This example is broad since it suggests a societal policy and not a personal conquest of one’s anger, hostility, frustration, blame, and instincts for self-defense that often seem perfectly normal. These emotions are held in the solar plexus chakra which is fiery. Mastering one’s fire means having the maturity to consider different perspectives and goals, renouncing threats, and using one’s fire to develop far-sightedness, understanding, and leadership potentials. I am not suggesting that one adjust to injustices nor that anyone endure hardships in a passive way. In many cases, walking away is a personal solution but one must not hold onto thoughts of wishing harm on anyone. This is obviously a very big undertaking, perhaps Herculean for those who have suffered enormously as is the case where there is war, poverty, injustice, indifference, and highly personal losses and affronts to one’s dignity and sovereignty. One seldom manages to banish the pain and emotions because there are seemingly random flashbacks that sneak up on us; but until we are harmless, we are not safe for others.
As mentioned in many previous posts, my experience is that memories go back hundreds of incarnations, and there are feelings associated with events in the past that have parallels in the present. Yes, many will say but all the events actually took place simultaneously. That is true on a certain level, but we live on a 3D planet in which time is linear. In another dimension, there is perhaps only the now but we have past, present, and future on a planet that is affected by time and space.
So, will the future be different from the present? This depends on what is perfected between now and that future date. Today, we easily see the sharp contrasts between what different factions regard as the appropriate course of action in any given situation. Until those who embrace harmlessness prevail over those who seem to believe that might makes right, we will have imbalances and pain and suffering.
Much pain is highly personal. Unfortunately, it very often begins in dysfunctional families; but it is also inflicted upon us by corrupt plutocrats who profit from the harm they do to others. In short, while essentially optimistic, I know that there are still huge problems. However, the wave has momentum, and many people are on their Paths while others are flirting with the ramifications of revamping their priorities and reorienting towards the divine. My experience is that this is a solitary process to the extent that no one else can really go deep enough inside another person to shift that person’s alignments; but in today’s world, very few will choose the degree of isolation typical in the past so there is today a group process that probably produces different results for each person.
What happens if one progresses on the path of personal perfection? Sometimes, all one feels is a deeper sense of peace and composure; but some people are given blessings along the way: insights, extended perceptions, opportunities to make contact with sages, to travel to other places in the Universe, to gather with kindred spirits. Insight infers a flash from a higher dimension that registers on the conscious self. Extended perceptions involve development of the higher octaves of existing senses like hearing becomes clairaudience and seeing becomes clairvoyance. However, there are nuances within each sense. For instance, does one see auras? details with the aura? the inside of bodies and how they function? beings that are invisible to most people? One should be very grateful if rewarded with such a gift.
In my experience, the more faithful one is to the process of alignment and self-perfection, the deeper one’s appreciation becomes for the complexity of Earth existence and the opportunities that are afforded if one makes the commitment to the journey of the soul.
Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2024 || All Rights Reserved
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Soul Journey: Alexandra Barbu | Dreamstime.com
Thank you for this, Ingrid. It's just what I was looking for...