It is a curious thing, typically the first person to offer financial
advice, often unsolicited, is someone who has never had any real finances to speak of.
Relationship advice, typically someone who has never been in a real one
or had a successful one is the first to step up. On a different level we
all know the house painter, who does very nice work, but whose house
always seems to be in need of paint. The obese/smoker doctor, the
mechanic whose wife’s car is always in need of some kind of repair are
almost cliché. One group is quick to comment on areas they have either
no real experience or success in, the other, though quite knowledgeable
and possibly accomplished have failed to practice what they know so well
in their own lives.
Spiritually we must seek out those who have
demonstrated
that which we desire in our lives: peace, serenity, respect, life
success, etc and ask them the questions on our heart, becoming willing
to follow direction. To have a spiritual awakening we must be honest
with ourselves about everything in our lives, open-minded to learn and
experience new ways of thinking and be willing to change. For in truth
we all reap as we have sown.
When Living on the Spiritual Basis one of the hardest tasks in
life is to not answer the unasked question. To illustrate: I had been
working spiritually with a young man for some years and though he sought
answers and asked the right questions, he was blocked from writing the
answers on his heart. On the surface his life appeared well put
together, successful provider, caring family man, giving attentive
friend, of service to his community, friends, even strangers. His laugh
quick and genuine, handshake firm, but he had a secret that in the end
cost him nearly everything. I knew of his secret for many years, had I
broached the subject with him, unbidden, we would have had a
conversation that at first blush would have appeared positive but in
reality would have marked the end of our relationship. How do I know?
Bitter experience. So I waited. Answering only the questions asked,
regularly biting back words, being circumspect to the best of my
ability, praying regularly for him and his loved ones and asking in
meditation for direction, hopeful for the day when he would step from
ship to shore. It took him ten years and the fulfillment of the lesson:
the only instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self is pain.
I’m grateful it only took ten, for most unfortunately never disembark.
What this man discovered is that he had the answers he needed all along,
having asked most of the right questions along the way, all that was
required was a commitment to follow through and truly do the work, thus
transforming theory (mind) into belief (heart). It has been said “when
the heart speaks the heart listens” for knowing we should be on time
means little if we are always late. Do as this man finally did, take the
things you “know” and put them to work in your life and you will soon
discover a little metaphysical dirt under the fingernails is a good
thing.