Sseeking Spiritual Perfection is Crazy Making and Stressful!

I don’t know about you, but I spent years trying to be as perfectly spiritual as can be, and wow, it took a toll. The western mind is set up to strive and succeed, it doesn’t know the power of relaxation and ease. When the Eastern sages and gurus came here in the early 20th century, they had to adapt the ancient teachings to the impatient, pressurized western mind. It was a bit of a shock, even for the adepts like Yogananda, Hazrat Inayat Khan, and Shunryu Suzuki. And now a century later, we are still trying to understand our spiritual nature in a world that is rocked with change due to shifting cosmic energies.

We might actually be in the perfect environment for cultivating inner freedom and deep compassion. Instead of sitting on a mountain top in scant clothing in an excruciating posture for 30 years, we are set up to find enlightenment in our daily lives. Imagine yourself as a yogi in the modern monastery, life is your constant teacher, and the spiritual urging to be humble and thankful for the opportunity to expand your consciousness is ever constant.  The one bit of wisdom that can support you now is to learn to be kind and gentle with yourself.  Ask the voice within, the one that tears you down and pulls you apart, to be kind and understanding, to be gentle and patient, and see how much better you feel. Do your muscles relax, your lips turn upwards in a smile, your heart feels serene and calm, and life looks OK? This is a perfectly good place to be.