We are bombarded daily with claims of promised success in all manner of things, from the newest, latest, greatest exercise gadget, supplement/pill or diet to an author promising their new book/CD/seminar will solve all our problems, pay off all our bills, possibly even make us a millionaire with little or no money down. Considering how many of these diets, exercise gadgets, supplement/pill and life enhancing/fixing authors we have witnessed in our lifetime it is a wonder that anyone is overweight or out of shape, bald, erectile challenged, bathroom challenged, don’t own a foreclosed home for pennies, are not an e-bay/green millionaire, solved their addiction problems effortlessly and straightened out their troublesome teenagers by simply ordering a book/CD or attending a seminar.
Admit it, you have seen these ads and wistfully thought how nice it would be to have six pack abs in only 20 minutes a day 3 times a week or lose 20 pounds while eating everything you love. Who wouldn’t? You know it is not that simple though, so you resist calling the 1-800 number with your credit card handy in the next 10 minutes so you could receive, at no extra charge, the combination pocket fisherman survival radio microwave oven Feng Shui guide, just add shipping and handling of course, with your miracle cure.
At some point in our lives the old saying “if it sounds too good to be true, it is” overrides wistful thinking. The price tag for buying one of those “to good to be true” items usually is no more than the loss of a few bucks and something for a future garage sale. Spiritually however the price is infinitely higher. No book, institution, movement, 12-step program, individual, religion or organization can raise our consciousness one jot or tittle if we are unwilling to take the necessary action. Reading about diets and exercise will not result in the loss of a single pound or the addition of an ounce of muscle. Spiritually a head full of knowledge means little; can actually be deadly if we are convinced self-knowledge is the answer, while failing to put what we have learned into action.
The key is to identify those who have what you want spiritually, demonstrating it daily by the way they live and comport themselves, living in the light, happy, joyous and free for there is no substitute for demonstrated success. However, keep in the forefront of your mind this unassailable truth: you cannot build your spiritual house on someone elses foundation, so keep an open mind, remaining willing to go to any lengths, any extreme for your spiritual awakening, standing ever vigilant over the issues of your heart for “Faith without works is dead.” See you at the next garage sale.
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit
All Rights Reserved
#The Secret, #Wayne Dyer, #Serenity,
Enlightenment, #Zen, #Emmet Fox, #How To Be Happy, #Golden Key, #Pope Francis,
#Chopra, #Jesus, #Einstein, #AA, McRaven,
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