Do we become seekers on a spiritual path because we want to find a way to escape suffering? This may be the most common reason for people to become dharma seekers.
Or, must we resolve our psychological conflicts before we can become spiritually awakened? This is the idea arising from the concept of spiritual bypassing.
JW idea - one way or the other we must resolve the inner conflicts to fully awaken. If not before the spiritual journey, then after it. It may be that unresolved issues are the reason why people don't fully awaken, or have "non-abiding" awakenings. It may also be that the time between awakenings is most important as an opportunity to resolve these issues and conflicts.
I think suffering does drive people to seek. Happy joyful humans tend not to be found in self help groups and spiritual circles - they may be happy to be in that environment but I've found they've got real issues with their lives that have driven them there to seek.
ReplyDeleteFor enlightement - I am beginning to wonder if one is 'called' or 'enabled' as an act of Grace - I've been 'looking for something' a lot longer and a lot harder than Echkart Tolle did and yet there he is and here I am..haha :Indeed Ramana Maharshi meditated on death for a while aged 16 and went 'ping'! and their light is changing the world.
And finally - all the Gurus and Saints are where? -They are within us !!! So for me to broadcast that I am not enlightened when The Buddha himself is within me seems a bit -er -silly!