Oops...rough path

I thought I'd share a recent ah-ha moment.

I couldn’t understand why I’ve been watching a bunch of YouTube videos on how to be your best self, and reach your full potential, etc… It was a rabbit hole I just couldn't get myself out of.

But tonight I started reading a book, The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti. The premise of the book is to help you find your True Self. I’m about halfway through and I realized why I’ve been so overwhelmed and unhappy.

For those of you who follow me you’ll know why…I had left my path of self-discovery, and began listening to others who are on their "own path" to somewhere else. Weird, right? I mean, why would I do that?

Well, I’d forgotten the one thing that we deal with all day, every day…the ego-mind. I had been doing so well with my meditation, and studies, and listening to my inner voice, feeling like I finally had a handle on this spiritual journey…and my ego-mind felt threatened.

It started planting doubt and fears on where I was headed. And by succumbing to that doubt I’d allowed the material world (the videos) to take the place of my spiritual practice.

 I’m writing all this to remind you, and myself, that the ego-mind is on this journey with us. Think of it like a disgruntled companion who complains the entire trip. At some point we learn to tune it out.

Except, we need to remember that when we tune out the ego-mind we fool ourselves into thinking it isn’t there. And, without realizing it, we’re going back down rabbit holes.

Moral of the story? This isn't a smooth path we're traveling. There will be unannounced struggles between the soul-focused mind and ego-mind. Don't lose your way, just return and begin again. Your journey still lies ahead, faithfully waiting.

Sending love,

debi

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