I often hear the question, “How do I know if I am making progress on the spiritual path?” As a starting point, we become less narcissistic, less self-absorbed; we live for others, the Guru, and God. We are drawn out of our emotional touchiness and fear of pain and death. Our capacity to laugh, especially at ourselves, increases. We discover that we are not the center of life but a manifestation of life. We know we are here to serve life and allow life to manifest in us and through us in ways that are evolutionary, creative, and joyful. All of this does not mean that we become nothing but an empty shell. Quite to the contrary, our increased ability to positively impact the wider world is a reflection of the positive transformation of our interior consciousness. This transformation reflects our movement away from the surface self to the deeper Self, from biased perceptions to unprejudiced objectivity, from a constricted heart to an expansive heart, from despair to hope, from a lack of moral clarity to an awakened conscience, and from depression to joy. Thus, an interior consolidation occurs within us that empowers us to rise above the unenlightened consciousness of the social herd, to operate from a higher plane of awareness, and to courageously endure all manner of suffering in the service of a noble cause. Our interior life becomes Godlike in a number of distinct but complementary ways: when needed, we flow like water. When stability is required, we become like the earth. When decisive action and truth are called for, we burn like fire; and, when inspiration is necessary, we become as light as air.
Beloved God, Beloved Guruji,
In your perfect timing,
Lead me forward
On this transformative path.
