There’s a compelling illusion that circulates in spiritual spaces. It’s that if you’re doing this or that spiritual practice “correctly,” then life is golden and you have no more problems. And if you have problems or feel feelings that are uncomfortable or socially marginalized than you must doing your practice “wrong”. Or worse: that you yourself are wrong.
It saddens me when people use “positive” tools to punish themselves (or others).
Transformative tools help us meet the challenges of life, not erase them. And sometimes they don’t work as well as (or in the ways) we want them to.
Fifteen minutes on a meditation cushion will not fix your problems. A profound shamanic journey may catalyze your insight or even resolve a health crisis, but sustained change happens through sustained practice. And practice is honed through the challenges of life.
Even the wonderful flower essences I love so much won’t “fix” your problems. Essences won’t miraculously make your headache go away like an aspirin will. But they may help you become aware of the ways you are clenching your teeth that give you a headache. Then you can unclench and perhaps you experience relief from your headache.
An essence is not a fix, it is a friend. Same for your meditation practice or any transformative approach.
Treat your transformative tools not like commodities to fix your problems but like companions see you through your problems.
When life includes mishaps, arguments and frustrations, let your practice include them too. Let’s have a breath together and meet life on life’s terms.
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