Why is it that, even when we know that liberation brings peace of mind and bondage scorches the mind, we still do not prioritize and strive for liberation? We have become attached to our created, egoic self. We have become attached and comfortable with our created fantasies, our cravings, our conditionings, concepts and ideas that make up “our life”. These have become our individuality and we honor that individuality. Unfortunately, individuality and a created image are the ignorance that keeps us in bondage. They are the separation that imprison us, that chain us to our misperceptions of reality.
When an opportunity presents itself that could free us we hesitate and return to our safe, comfortable bondage. We return to our cage. Losing our individuality, losing our egoic, created self, is scary. We might lose being accepted, loved and honored by others. In liberation, our individuality and egoic concepts die. They evaporate as we realize we are universal consciousness; God. The death of individuality, the ending of cravings and the destruction of our false image are frightening to contemplate. Everything we have become accustomed to has to change. This become fearful and, even though we know that bondage of the mind causes us so much suffering, we are too afraid to be free of it.
On some level, we deeply believe that the thing outside will provide the happiness inside. We are certain we are our body, our thoughts and our feelings. We trust that the craving fulfilled will bring the satisfaction we crave. We continue to believe when another loves and accepts us we will be whole and sufficient. We believe our misperceptions.
The spiritual path is a step by step reorganization of our experience and understanding. First, we recognize we are suffering. Then we realize there must be a way out of that suffering. We search for the way out; the path. Then we start to walk the path. But for many of us, we hesitate. We fail to prioritize the journey and the goal and we fail to keep walking the path. It is the fear of losing our old self, our old chains, our old, familiar ways that stops us. It is our belief in our misperceptions that cause us to not prioritize walking the path. For some, we believe our daily duties and responsibilities are more important than the one and only purpose we were created; to know God.
This is where courage comes in. Courage does not mean we do not feel fear. Losing our individuality, ego and cravings will always feel fearful. Courage is the ability to take one step outside our comfort zone – and then another step. Courage is seeing our fear, acknowledging and honoring our fear, and still taking the step. Courage is seeing what needs to be done and acting; prioritizing our spiritual practices, repeating our spiritual practices and finally honoring ourselves by giving ourselves what we know really matters; realization of who we truly are; God.
Blessings,
