Observations On Internal Application
There has been so much response to my last post
that perhaps more needs to be said about the
internal application side of personal development.
So much about true growth hinges on understanding
that this journey is at heart a solitary one. The path
that leads to a truly satisfying and rewarding existence
can not be dependent upon other's cooperation, aid or
complicity.
Likewise, our search for enlightenment must encompass
all aspects of ourselves. One of the reasons I have
enjoyed reading Dr. Teri Speed's book (see the sidebar)
is her attempt to grapple with bringing the three aspects
of ourselves together in a unifying whole. Mind, body
and spirit...
Like Dr. Speed, I am at heart a Christian, but I expand
my knowledge of this existence beyond my (extensive)
study of the bible as well. What this means to me is that
as more information comes to me in my search it must
fit into a certain framework of beliefs.
Does this mean that my faith is rigid and inflexible?
Not at all! It simply means that frequently as something
reveals itself to be newfound truth to me, that if it
seems to be in conflict with something within that
framework of beliefs held that it must be resolved...
Sometimes this comes about easier than others. In some
cases, it comes about as fuller understanding of already
held concepts become more fully formed. Other times
it will turn out that my previous understanding of some
scripture was of a more all encompassing principle than
a further study of more biblical texts would support.
The point here is that for anything to be a useful tool
of instruction in this life, it needs to be dynamic in
nature allowing for the kinds of everchanging
circumstances that this life provides so abundantly.
Expect your horizons to expand beyond your wildest
dreams, and you will have just begun to grasp what
you can expect from an extended journey of self
exploration.
Bringing together the three previously mentioned
aspectsof our natures (spirit, mind and body) is no
small thing, and thus cannot be limited to any single
author or teacher. Lately Eckhart Tolle has become
quite prominent, and rightly so as he has quite a lot
to offer in our search, but even he cannot be our sole
source of growth. Soon I will be doing some work
online with Dr. Speed and look forward to learning
more of her concepts as well.
However it is vital not to allow ourselves to become
centered on any one individual. To do so would
bring us out of balance, and therefore threatening
our progress.
Grappling with the issues regarding the nature of
human existence is an amazingly rewarding experience
that can expand our understanding and experience in
ways that will stretch all aspects of life, if we manage to
juggle this aspect of balancing our existing belief
structures and keeping our perspective on those that
we are learning from.
More soon!
