Formation before transformation Questions for the Spiritual Traveller

‘Satsang - Seeking Together - Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart of Compassion’
Peter Creagh (2014) www.satsang-companionship.org.uk
Formation before Transformation?
Reflections on 2nd Half of Life and the Spiritual Journey
Part 1 - Setting the Scene
There seems to be a ‘fashion’ for the recurring theme of ‘Transformation’. This has
recently become more noticeable in many of the ‘ologies’ of academia, e.g.
psychology, sociology, theology etc. The inference , and emphasis, can often seem
to be that focusing on formation is not necessary and that there is a magic ‘trick’ or
‘pill’ that we can take to become transformed. Moreover, that there is something
that can happen to cause a ‘quantum leap’ or a new paradigm. Now doubtlessly,
these are possibilities but quantum leaps and new paradigms are relatively rare.
Nonetheless, ‘transformation’ is the new buzzword and the new Nirvana. This
emphasis can create difficulties for many. It hooks into the modern day urge for a
quick fix or instantaneous results and instant gratification. In addition, it fails to
recognise that deep and transforming change may best be both negotiated and
maintained if based on some firm foundation and formation.
In Christianity, my own Faith Tradition, this growing surge towards transformation is
becoming more and more prevalent. These reflections were written in the Christian
Season of Lent. This is a Season that is both based and modelled on the
experience of Jesus (the Christ) and his 40 days in the wilderness before
beginning his Ministry. Traditionally, and arguably the majority opinion, most
Christians consider Lent to be a time for ‘giving up things’. This can be a great
error and is based on a very negative view of the both the spiritual journey and the
Mystery we call God. It fails to emphasise that the true purpose of our life is to
grow in awareness of our unity with the Indwelling Presence of the Mystery.
The word Lent comes from the word Lengthening and is a season based on the life
of Jesus the Christ and his ‘wilderness experience’. What occurred for Jesus ( who
for Christians is the Christ) was a period of aloneness which led to a ‘lengthening’
or ‘stretching’ of his awareness of his real self and his real purpose and union with
the Mystery he referred to as ‘Abba’ ( Father).
So perhaps Lent is a time for us all to be ‘stretched and particularly in relation to
our understanding of our essential self and our spiritual awareness and practice.
Incidentally, it could be helpful for Christians to both remember and reflect on the
traditional Christian belief Jesus was, and is, the Christ the Anointed One. This
‘Christ’ is the Cosmic Christ who existed before time began. In addition, Christians
perhaps could benefit by reminding themselves that Christ is not a surname for
Jesus. It is a very important title.

As previously outlined, Lent is a Season for stretching us at all levels of our holistic
being. It can play its part in our journey towards spiritual maturity. This is a journey
that requires us to grow in awareness of self and our unity with the Mystery and as
we grow we and thus become transformed.
The reality is that for the majority of us transformation is a slow, gradual and
growing awareness of self, be that at the psychological and/or spiritual levels. This
short Blog aims to tease out some reflections and proposes that before we can be
‘transformed’ we might best aim our sights and reflections on our formation.
There are many areas that both modern psychology and spirituality can find
agreement. It is a generally accepted agreement in psychology, that we are more
than our simple view of ourselves. Our psyche possesses depth and breath and
very often our perceived view of the self is distorted and, to some degree, false.
The latter can be caused by the circumstances of upbringing, culture, environment
etc. In Humanistic Psychology this is often referred to as the ‘Self Concept’ and our
task is to find the Core or Real Self. In short, the task we face is to grow in
awareness of the Real Self and to recognise the inherent distortions and falsities of
the Self Concept. In other branches of Psychology and in Indian Spiritual Traditions,
this is often referred to as the search for and breaking down of the False Ego.
So our lifelong journey is a growth is awareness that moves us from the Ego
towards our ability to transcend the Ego and thus realise both our inter-
dependency with others and the Cosmos and the non-duality of creation. This is
not an easy task. However, it is an essential part of genuine growth. Although the
task can seem daunting, thankfully we have access to the guidance and teachings
of the Mystics of all Traditions. These emphasise our need to be open to the
Mystery of Creation and to the ambivalence of the Spirit. In other words, there are
very often no definitive answers to the most important and crucial questions and
we need to develop the gift of ‘not knowing’. Many people refer to this as Faith.
An error we can make is to both think and believe that there can be a sudden flash
of light that reveals all! Perhaps, for Christians, this may be based on St Paul and
his story. However, if we examine this from the viewpoint of two great traditions,
Christianity and Buddhism, we can begin to see a possible flaw in our thinking.
Both are based on a ‘mystical’ experience that leads to enlightenment or a totally
different way of seeing.
St Paul, arguably the founding theologian of Christianity, is certainly one of the
major sources of the Christian New Testament. His account of his ‘conversion’ is
often quoted by Christians, and particularly Fundamental Christians, as the
exemplar for all transformation. We have a story of a man bitterly opposed to the
teachings of Jesus and his ( for Paul) heretical followers, an incident of blinding
light and revelation , transformation and then the most ardent follower and
proponent of the Way and of Jesus the Christ. So Paul’s conversion is held up as a
miraculous and exemplary vision of transformation. It is so often referred to as:
‘The road to Damascus transformation’.

Now this is not only simplistic but can mistakenly put pressure on many to become
instantly transformed and thus be ‘born again’. To get an instantaneous, painless
and quick fix conversion. Unfortunately it can very often result in either a
fundamental approach to Christianity or else it falls apart when the challenge reality
of the joys and sorrows of life soon appear.
The reality and context of Paul’s transformation is often missed. Firstly, Paul had a
long and solid ‘formation’. He was a pupil of a renowned Jewish Rabbi. He was
steeped in the Law and the Prophets – the Jewish Scriptures. In short, Paul had a
firm foundation and formation in his culture, tradition and spirituality. What occurred
on the road to Damascus was certainly extraordinary. It was almost certainly a
mystical experience and one which he tried to convey in his writings. He refers to
‘A blinding light’. His outer blindness seems to have led him into a state of deep
and powerful insight.
In Eastern terms, Paul would seem to have achieved enlightenment. This then
leads us on to an Eastern Tradition and the Buddha’s experience.
Gautama, called the Buddha, was born in a country steeped in and blessed with a
rich spiritual tradition. He too was both well grounded and formed in spirituality and
was doubtlessly well acquainted with the spiritual riches of his time. However, he
entered a stage of spiritual journeying that led him to both ends of the spectrum –
the extremes of sheer wealth and luxury at one end and poverty and deprivation at
the other. Eventually he rejected both and sat under a Boddhi Tree in deep
meditation where he achieved enlightenment. Whatever happened is unsure.
However, it led to a great change in him and to his many years of teaching about
the Four Noble Truths, in which he too spoke about enlightenment.
Both examples speak of a deep and growing awareness or enlightenment that led
to remarkable ability to both discern the Real from the Unreal ( in modern terms the
False Ego from the Real Self), to avoid being Dualistic and to grow in wisdom,
discernment and love.
This opening set of reflections has focused on the potential pitfalls of
‘instant transformation’ and suggest that a failure to build on a firm foundation can
lead to either a disaster or at best a quick falling away ( See the Parable of the
Sower – in the teachings of Jesus the Christ). It is now time to review, reflect and
move on to some deeper reflections on the tasks and questions for the 2nd
half of
life.

Transformation –A Journey of Self-Discovery
Part 2 2nd half of life Spirituality
Part 1 of these reflections looked at the importance of a strong formation and its
part in developing our deep roots. It proposed that without some formation it can be
difficult to be transformed. Our task in the 1st
half of life was, and is, to develop a
strong and healthy ego and thus form a firm foundation in spirituality. For many,
developing a healthy ego and a foundation in spirituality is both begun and heavily
influenced by their family and culture of origin and informed by a Faith Tradition. It
looked briefly at two major examples and guides , Jesus the Christ and the Buddha
and contended that both were firmly rooted in a Tradition but in becoming
‘enlightened’ both challenged the ‘status quo’ and both believed in, and practiced,
a ‘middle way’ .
This was a balanced and inclusive approach to the spiritual journey based on their
experiential experience and relationship with Mystery. In the Buddha’s case he
refused to be drawn on whether or not ‘God’ existed. He emphasised the
importance of the 4 Noble Truths as a guide to freedom and enlightenment. His
teaching centred on these 4 Truths outlined below:-
1. The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
2. The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
4. The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
4. The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)
The eightfold path to righteousness
Jesus the Christ acknowledged, spoke and talked about the Mystery and referred
to this Mystery as Abba and emphasised the oneness of his relationship with this
Mystery at the Heart of Creation. He too, spoke of a Way that led to repentance,
which has very little to do with ‘sin’ and more to do with ‘turning around’ and
changing your path. His teachings centred on His Two Great Commandments and
His Eight Blessings or Beatitudes.
For many and perhaps the majority, their Tradition places an emphasise on the
‘faith’, its scriptures and a set of handed down and often proscriptive beliefs. This is
particularly true for the 3 Western based Monotheistic Traditions of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam. These very often over emphasise their Scriptures,
particularly reading them in a literal sense and often totally out of context. In
addition, they either under emphasise or prohibit any direct experiential
relationship with the Mystery. Yet again, this also applies more to the Western
Monotheistic Traditions.
The problem with relying solely or mainly on Scriptures is that these are often
‘preached’ and ‘interpreted’ by those in authority based on a set of accepted norms
and by people who may or may not have any direct experience of the Mystery.

In addition, this often leads to an external frame of reference with the Mystery. i.e.
there is little personal experience or relationship with the Mystery and ‘beliefs’ and
‘faith’ are not internalised at the level of the real self. Or to put it another way, there
is rarely any foundation in practices that help individuals to have an experience of
the Mystery we call God. Therefore our task on the 2nd
half of life’s journey is to
begin to develop a personal and profoundly internal view of our Real Self and our
relationship with the Mystery.
To undertake this task requires some guidance and some Spiritual Practices and
an understanding of the importance of several key questions and the need to
nurture our own Journey towards union with the Reality that is the Mystery at the
heart of creation. Many can benefit from the experiences of the mystics of all
Traditions and the recorded works that form our rich Universal Inheritance. In
addition, meeting and listening to wise teachers and, like many in the International
Satsang Association, I have experienced this from its Spiritual Guide Ishpriya
Mataji. Mindful of her many teachings, these reflections will focus on the following
questions.
Who Am I and where have I come from?
Why I am here and what is my unique task or purpose in life?
How can I best foster my own Spiritual Practice and Journey?
How to develop my relationship with Ultimate Reality – the Mystery and
Oneness at the Heart of Creation?
There may be other equally important or relevant questions but these are areas
that the Mystics and Sages of most of the Faith Traditions stress are important for
any spiritual traveller

Transformation –A Journey of Self-Discovery
PART 3: SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Parts 1 and 2 of these reflections looked at the importance of a firm foundation or
formation before we could become transformed. It suggested that transformation
was, for the majority, a 2nd half of life task or journey or better still a process. It
looked at two major figures in the pantheon of Spiritual Teachers.
The first was the Buddha who taught a way of being that
would assist us in navigating our way through life and
becoming awake. The Buddha, after his enlightenment
preached from his perspective of Awakeness. He stated ' I
am awake' and urged his followers and disciples to become
‘Awake’!
To assist them he taught about the Four Noble Truths that
could lead to an end of suffering. The 4th Truth described the
'Way' and how each person could live in order to find their
path to enlightenment and true and pure Awakeness.
The second Teacher is Jesus the Christ, who for Christians is
the Christ or perhaps more accurately the Cosmic Christ.,
proclaimed and described by St Paul in Colossians. (1
Colossians). This is Jesus the Christ, the Logos proclaimed in
John's Gospel who existed before time began i.e. before
Creation and the Big Bang. Hence the depiction of the Cosmic
Christ in the picture on the left is designed to reinforce that
Christ existed before the Cosmos.
Jesus, like all great Teachers, was enlightened and He taught a way to freedom
and Joy. He proclaimed a Way of Life and outlined this in His Eight Blessings or
Beatitudes. These are in essence the ' manifesto'. of Jesus the Christ.
He constantly advised His followers to ' Stay Awake'. This 'staying awake' was
meant to lead to a true realisation and awareness of our real self and enable us to
become open to the ' Signs of the Times'
This 'reading the signs of the times' require that we become 'prophets of our time'
and prophets are not those who can foretell the future but those who remain awake
and aware to the present and to their journey.
Jesus the Christ both advised and warned us not to try to foretell the future but to
remain awake to the present and thus prepared both for the here and now and for
whatever the future might hold. We are encouraged to stay awake and become
aware of our choices. This requires wisdom, guidance and discernment.

This advise or warning to ‘Stay Awake’ is not new, it is perennial advise and it
could be helpful to remember the words us of the Jewish Prophet Jeremiah, who
warning and advising people in his day, said this :-
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
This is sound advice. Unless we are firmly rooted it is not only difficult to read the
signs of the times but also to remain in the present. Jeremiah suggests that
'wisdom' is perennial and that the wisdom of the past can assist us in the present.
This is true also if we look at the teachings and experiences of the Mystics
throughout the ages.
Incidentally, mysticism is not something extraordinary. We all have the capacity to
become Mystics and we all have mystical moments and experiences in our life.
Mystics are merely people who are awake and aware and in touch with the Mystery
(we call God by so many names). A series of previous Blog posts from the Midland
Satsang Blog under the title ONLY THE MYSTICS WILL SURVIVE, reflect on this
in greater depth. These reflections are based on conference talks by Sister
Ishpriya. Clicking on the blue link above will take you to the 4th Blog in this series
on Mystics and Mysticism.
The Mystics and sages of all Traditions advise us to remain in the present and to
stay awake to both the internal and external world. They suggest that we become
more self-aware and this can be helped by facing challenging questions and being
open to reflecting on our responses and having the patience to sit with the
responses we receive and , as Ishpriya often says , to 'chew on these responses'.
As we do so, we often get further and deeper responses and over time we can find
ourselves 'living into the answers’. Each question requires time and reflection and
so the remainder of these reflections will focus on the following 4 questions;
Who is I and where have I come from?
How to develop my relationship with Ultimate Reality – the
Mystery and Oneness at the Heart of Creation?

Each question is crucially important and any further reflections can only begin to
give some personal comments. Each unique being must experience their
responses. This is vital 2nd half of life spirituality. Whatever our foundation or
original Faith Tradition, it is highly probable that these have not grounded us in
experiences or practices that can aid personal experience. It is more probable that
they have merely handed on to us a set of rules, rites and beliefs which may, or
may not, be true for us. Sitting with these questions and the responses we
experience could be either the beginning or a consolidation of our ongoing Journey
into 2nd half of life spirituality.
It is now time to move on to address the first of the 4 question areas. These
responses and reflections are offered tentatively, with humility and with reference
to the Special Note near the beginning of this section.
Who Am I and where have I come from?
Who Am I ? This is the first of two inter-linked and inter-dependent questions. In
fact, as Ishpriya often reminds us, to know who you are it is first of all important to
know where you came from and where you are going. Therefore the answer to the
1st question depends upon my response to the 2nd.
Where Have I Come From? This is probably the 1st question that needs to be
addressed. Each individual can benefit by asking this and, for many, there are two
immediate answers. Either one believes that there is a source or power behind
creation or one does not. This can be seen as either a Theist or Atheist response.
The response is personal and experiential. For me, I believe that there is a Source
or Ultimate Reality that lies at the Heart of Creation and I respect the opposite
response of the Atheist. Each position can be honourably held. In fact both the
Theist and Atheist probably have more in common than they would initially expect.
I find that honest atheists quite rightly reject the ' God' proclaimed by many
fundamental Theists.
Very often the God proclaimed by those who say they 'believe' is so narrow, so
limited and so prejudiced that any honest and aware person would rightly reject
such a 'God'. Meister Eckhart, a renowned medieval Christian Mystic warned about
such a ‘God’. He said ‘I pray God rid me of God’. So much of what is proclaimed
by 'believers' or 'theists' is merely a set of narrow and exclusive prejudices that
come from a very dualistic view of the world. They proclaim a 'God' made in the
image of human beings, or as Ishpriya says - a Household God.
Dualism is not a new concept, it has been, and is, the prevalent attitude throughout
the past 10,000 years (i.e. since the rise of the Patriarchal system). Dualistic
thinking sees everything in terms of either: or. This divides the world into right and
wrong, saved and condemned, rich and poor, them and us and Male (dominant)
Female (subservient). All of these dualistic distinctions are hallmarks of the
Patriarchal System and mindset. Yet, the masters on sages have warned us about
this false way of thinking. Two quotes the first from Hinduism; the second from
Christianity, giving us both an Eastern and Western view now follow.

Hinduism is recognised as the oldest formal Faith Tradition. It contains many
quotations and references to the underlying unity and inter-dependency of all
creation. Perhaps its most succinct and relevant quote comes from the Upanishads
(which roughly translates as ' Sitting at Feet of the Master’)
Who sees the many and not the ONE, wanders on from death to death.
Even by the mind this truth is to be learned:
There are not many but only ONE.
Who sees variety and not the unity wanders on from death to
death…
Katha Upanishad
Here the sage of the Upanishad is focusing on the Unity in Diversity and
paradoxically the Diversity in the Unity. This is one of the essential teachings of the
Vedas, the non-duality or Advaita of everything. It is not an Either: Or but a Both:
And Cosmos
Christianity, at its heart contains a similar message. Jesus the Christ was inclusive
and met people as they were. One of the founding Masters, and arguably most
influential for Christianity, is St Paul. Paul was a Mystic whose writings are
challenging and full of paradox. He struggled to overcome the 'inclusive' and
dualistic mindset of the prevailing culture of his time. One of his most inclusive
teachings is contained in his letter to the Galatians.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,
Nor is there male and female,
For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
The sages of all the great Traditions maintain that ' Truth' by whatever name or
form it takes, is more often found in paradox. It is found within the Heart. The
Hindu's talk of the Cave of the Heart and St Paul spoke about the wisdom that can
be found in ' the eye of the heart’. Both Paul and the writer of the Upanishad were
non-dualistic (in Sanskrit the sacred language of the Indian Advaita tradition) and
full of paradox.
So, for myself (and others) who believe that we have come from the Source or
Ultimate Reality and are in relationship to that Source, then we can begin to sit and
reflect on the next question Who am I?
Who am I ? Knowing where I have come from is a firm foundation from which to
start the journey of reflection that is required in order to address another big
question - WHO AM I ? As one steeped in Celtic Spirituality and Christianity, I am
struck by this question and its resonance in the life of Jesus the Christ. It is
noticeable that Jesus was often asked; ' Who are you?’. For him this question was
more often phrased as a negative and confrontational challenge - a bit like ' Who
do you think you are!? '

He could answer this in a very self-aware manner which both puzzled and
infuriated many. His answers are succinctly expressed in the ‘I Am' sayings
that are scattered throughout St John's Gospel, a favourite of the early Celtic
Christians. This ability to respond came from His deep self-awareness,
understanding and intimacy with the Mystery He referred to as Abba (Daddy). This
deep awareness also was rooted in and came from a foundation in deep reflection,
self-searching, discernment and wisdom. This example can be helpful to any
disciple (student) of the Master Jesus the Christ.
My journey, like so many others, has been a slow and gradual waking up to the
realisation that the ' Me' I think I am is a false image. I need to recognise that this
false image has been built up over time and most of it in my early childhood. The
following image often helps me to realise this. I think of myself as a lovely marble
statue that over time has become encrusted with moss and mildew. It now looks
dull and pitted. My task is to slowly peel and wash away this encrustation and thus
begin to reveal the original, beautiful and pristine marble statue. Now, for me, this
process is not an easy one. It is journey into the heart and not the head. It is a
journey of many twists and turns or, mindful of a childhood game, a game of
'snakes and ladders’. Very often it’s one step forward and two back and vice
versa.
At a cognitive level I can both believe and understand that essentially I am OK.
However, this needs to be deeply introjected into my heart and requires the
patience and the ability to reflect on my responses to searching questions and live
into the answers. The filters of upbringing, culture, faith tradition and experience
play their part in distorting my vision of reality. These distortions also distort the
truth and play their part in my resistance to opening myself up to the realisation
that I am intimately related to the Source. This relationship is buried deep within. I
am reminded of a quote from one of Sister Ishpriya's conference talks. Focusing on
our relationship with the Source, she mentioned this saying from the Source ' I let
you find Me so that you might seek Me’.
Knowing that I come from the Source and will return to that Source, challenges me
to live into the truth of this realisation. I am faced with the 'knowledge' that I
am intimately connected by the power of the Indewelling Spirit ( the Hindu
Indweller or Atman) to the Mystery I call God. This 'knowledge' is not head
knowledge but rather a deep underlying current or a sense of an Indwelling
Presence that has remained with me since early childhood. This has always been
a gentle call or whisper that keeps pulling me back and giving me the motivation,
especially in times of doubt and darkness, to remain focused on both the Journey
and the goal and purpose of life. This is not and easy journey but I am both
reminded and consoled by these words from Jesus the Christ
'Knock and the door will be opened
Seek and you will find
Ask and it shall be given'
However, even more important is His wise advice”And what I say to you I say to
all: Stay awake.”

Part 4: Staying Awake – Responding to Life
These important and vital words of Jesus the Christ "And what I say to you
I say to all: Stay awake” contain both a warning and a piece of sound, practical
and very wise advice. To become truly transformed we need to be awake to the
important questions of life and be willing to truly listen to life’s answers.
Part 3 looked at the first important question, which was really two inter-linked
questions, who Am I and Where have I come from? These set the scene for a
truly reflective and aware life. Finding responses to these set the direction of life’s
journey and provide a firm foundation from which to reflect on the nature and
purpose of life.
An initial response to this question is as follows. Each person is challenged and
required to remain awake to life as it is lived day by day. This is life in this Body:
Psyche. This is life lived in time: space. Now, we can ponder questions such as,
what time is and what space is and whether there is a past or future. These are
questions that philosophers and sages have pondered for millennia without finding
definitive answers. There is an ancient Buddhist saying ‘Examine the place on
which you stand’ which could be a good starting place as it may help us to find
what we do know.
What we can ‘know’ is the present moment. We also know that we are part of a
continuously unfolding and expanding cosmos. This cosmos has existed for over
14 billion years and each unique being is part of this creation. Those who believe in
a Source, Mystery or Power at the heart of creation are challenged to accept their
responsibility as Co- Creators in this evolving creation and wonderful cosmos.
So with this responsibility we are challenged to play our part in creation. As a
member of the International Satsang Association, this brings home the truth and
importance of these words, which appear as a page header, ‘Satsang- Seeking
Together- Helping to Create – A Planetary Vision – A Universal Heart of
Compassion’ We each have one life and one shot in this body: psyche in which to
do our best to act as responsible and compassionate co-creators. Each of us can
do our best to play our part in creating a more compassionate world and this may
best be achieved by developing practices that help us to become more spiritually
aware.
I like countless others may live a life that is largely unknown and perhaps with no
remarkable or noteworthy achievements. Nevertheless, I have the responsibility to
develop myself and, as far as possible, avoid deliberately harming myself, others
or creation.

I may often err (a common human trait) and thus inadvertently cause harm either to
others or more often to myself. However, providing I recognise my error and learn
from each experience, I am better able to discern my choices. In this way I do my
best to be compassionate and thus remain on the right path.
Making choices is an important part of being human. Choice also denotes that we
have options, because to make a choice we need at least two. I have learned the
truth of the following statement ‘If you think that you only have one choice, and
then it is (more likely) bound to be the wrong one’. Choice requires wisdom
and discernment. A powerful reminder of the power of choices is that famous poem
by Robert Frost. I was first introduced to this by my wife Angela, who is my Anam
Cairde – or Soul Friend. We also used this in our recent Satsang Meeting which
reflected on the theme ‘Dancing across the Abyss’. This leads on to the next
question and the Sadhana or Spiritual Practices that can best support my spiritual
journey. Before moving on Robert Frost’s poem is shown below.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference.
Now to make some reflections on the final two questions that focus on the Spiritual
Journey and the ‘Dance Across the Abyss’ – to meet with and relate to the
Mystery by whatever name we each choose to use.

We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey
that no one can take for us or spare us. Proust
The analogy of a journey is used by most of the major spiritual traditions. The
quote from the philosopher Proust succinctly reminds us that in the final analysis,
we all journey alone. However, the support and companionship of fellow travellers
can be both a comfort and of great assistance. The journey is also one that
requires great self awareness and it is a life long journey into our own inner self.
The following quote from a former UN Secretary General emphasises this.
The longest journey is the journey inwards
Dag Hammarskjold
Both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience agree that it is extremely important
to develop awareness of the present moment and thus to become more conscious.
Now, although consciousness is much more than merely the brain, a well
developed and trained brain is a good starting point. Modern neuroscience has
increased our understanding and knowledge of the brain. The brain is very
complex but as we develop more knowledge it is becoming increasingly evident
that there are 3 important stages in developing awareness.
1. ATTENDING We need to fully attend to ourselves and others using our
senses and intuition. Any practice that supports and develops mindfulness
develops our attention to the present moment.
2. LEARNING We need to learn as we attend so that we more fully understand
what works, what needs changing and what does not work in out life and in the life
of those we try to help. A useful practice that assists learning is to set aside times
of reflection. These can be anytime from a few minutes to a day of reflection.
3. DISCERNING Having attended and learned we can now identify and
recognise our choices and wisely choose, with the realisation that all choices have
consequences.
These 3 important tasks have been known and recognised by the Masters and
Sages throughout ages, although they may not express them in the same way.
Essentially they describe the underpinning reality that supports any serious
spiritual practice. In short, attending, by practicing mindfulness, is the essential
basis for the development of conscious awareness.
There are a wide variety of simple mindful practices, from merely pausing for a few
seconds to longer periods of mindfulness meditation. The simplest and probably
most powerful practice is breath awareness; details on this practice and on other
aspects of mindfulness are the subject of separate reflections. Any practice of
mindfulness is in reality merely a simple practice of ‘Staying Awake’ and ‘staying
awake’ is an extremely important spiritual practice.

How to develop my relationship with Ultimate Reality – the
Mystery and Oneness at the Heart of Creation?
Being a traveller on the Spiritual Journey is a lifelong pilgrimage. Like all journeys it
has its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows. However, as with all pilgrimages, once
the destination or goal has been set, the most important point to focus on is the
day by day, moment by moment journey. I like to use an analogy from my past
experience in a Mountain Rescue Team.
When climbing a mountain the final goal may
be to reach the summit. However, as we climb
we are best advised to keep our eyes on the
path we are currently on and in times of
danger and difficulty to merely focus on the
next step. If we want to either look back from
where we have come from or forward towards
our goal, the summit, then it is wise to stop,
examine the place on which you stand and
then look. The summit is reached by a series
of shorter goals, each building on the other
until eventually we reach the goal.
While each of us ultimately climbs the
mountain ‘alone’, it can sometimes help if we
journey with others and provide mutual
support and encouragement.
This analogy applies to all journeys and is particularly useful either in times where
critical choices are needed or when faced with challenges and stress.
Cosmologists affirm that we are all created out of stardust. We are part of an
amazing and constantly evolving Cosmos – an awe inspiring, wonderful, diverse
and intricate creation. Those, like me, who believe that there is a Mystery or a
Source behind and beyond creation, are faced with the responsibility of relating to
that Mystery. We come from that Source, spend time in this body: psyche before
we return to that Source. Therefore, the primary principle on our spiritual journey is
to find and develop spiritual practices that support both our relationship with the
Mystery and with others. In this respect, the 3 main principles of the Satsang
Commitment are very relevant. Each Satsang Member undertakes a triple
commitment and resolves to:
1. Commit to a personal growth in spiritual awareness and practice
2. Live a life that helps remove the barriers of prejudice and ignorance
which divide persons from each other?
3. Build up relationships of compassion and appreciation across frontiers
of race, ethnicity, culture, language, economic class and religion.

The three principles of the Satsang Commitment provide powerful and wise
guidelines for developing a relationship with the Mystery. It’s a truism that the way
we relate with others and our environment provide a ‘picture’ of the way we relate
with the Mystery. These reflections are based on a non-dualistic approach to life,
creation, the cosmos and the Mystery. There is no either: or and thus no
separating the way we relate in all aspects and situations.
All of the 3 principles require a great deal of self-awareness, a compassionate
heart and a realisation of the inter-connectedness of creation. For me, it begins
with the latter. As I grow older and develop my 2nd
half of life spirituality, the
realisation of the inter-connectedness of creation is both challenging and exciting.
It seems that both science and the mystics are in close agreement about this
underlying truth. There are many references to the underlying unity that co-exists
in our remarkable diversity. The following quote is taken from the Bhagavad Gita, a
renowned book in Hinduism and said to contain the essence of the spirituality of
this great tradition.
‘The one who sees that the Lord of all is ever the same in all that is, immortal
in the field of immortality- they see the truth.
And when one sees that the Mystery (God) in themselves is the same
Mystery in all that is, they hurt not themselves by hurting others: then they
truly go to the highest Path’
Bhagavad Gita 13:27-28
Realising that there is an underlying unity in diversity is, for me, an important
starting point. I grew up in Catholic Ireland with a firm foundation in the peculiarly
angst ridden Irish Catholicism. I don’t regret the grounding it has given me. It is part
of my Celtic roots. My parents also helped. My father came from a Northern Irish
family with a mixture of Catholicism and Protestantism. He was essentially a
religious cynic, a result of his upbringing. Interestingly, he often spoke to me about
Mahatma Gandhi and I vividly remember him speaking about Gandhi’s
assassination. He remarked ‘Son they always kill the good ones’. This started
my interest in India, its peoples and its Faith Traditions. Much later in life, when I
met my wife Angela, I was to renew this interest and get involved with Sister
Ishpriya and the International Satsang Association.
My mother was a strong Catholic but also had a broader view of the world and
religion. Doubtlessly this came from her mother who became a widow at a very
early age and was fiercely independent. My Grandmother and Mother had
Protestant friends and also Jews, a rarity in Catholic Dublin. Consequently, my
Catholic upbringing was diluted by these influences and I thankfully never
succumbed to the prevalent Roman Catholic attitude of acting and feeling superior.
So my early upbringing gave me an interest in other religions, cultures and peoples
and thus influenced my approach to life and spirituality.

Now the Mystery at the heart of Creation is ultimately unknowable through our own
power. The Mystics of all Faith Traditions infer that this Mystery draws us in. In
Christian terms this is referred to as ‘grace’. However, every relationship is two way.
In order to relate we must be open to relating. For many of us, relating to an
Unknown Mystery can seem difficult and at times puzzling. We can often seem
‘lost’ and unsure. One of the ways we can ‘check out’ our relationship with the
Mystery is to reflect on how we relate to and with others.
Relationships are based on trust, mutuality and our willingness to be present to the
other. Some of the important qualities required in relationships are, empathic
compassion, a willingness to listen deeply to the other and the ability to respond
from the heart. These are the qualities that can also assist us in relating to the
Mystery. All spiritual practices (Sadhana) are designed to develop and support
these qualities. Each person needs to adopt and integrate suitable practices that
support their spiritual journey. These can vary from formal prayer to longer periods
of formal sitting meditation. In the final analysis, all practices involve staying awake,
practicing mindfulness and remaining in the present moment. To truly relate to the
other we need to remain present to their ‘presence’.
These reflections have focused on our psychological and spiritual need to grow in
self-awareness and to form a firm or secure base from which to explore our
relationship with the Mystery at the heart of Creation. For me, transformation is a
life long and evolving journey. We are all on a pilgrimage journey back to the
Source of all life. All the main Faith Traditions use the analogy of pilgrimage or
journey. In my own Celtic Tradition, this notion of Pilgrimage is it’s of the 4 main
principles, often referred to as the 4 Ps of Celtic Spirituality. I believe that we are all
in a state of ‘becoming’ and this ‘becoming’ is a constant evolution of spiritual
consciousness. In other words ‘transformation’ is a series of spiritual insights that
occur as we develop and deepen our relationship with the Mystery.
This Mystery is ultimately Unknowable and beyond human understanding. The
sage of Daoism (Lao Tzu) puts it very succinctly when she/he writes ‘The Dao (Way
or Name) that can be known or understood is not the True Dao’. For me this is
an extremely wise statement. We are made in the image of the Mystery and not
vice versa. Trying to name or relate to a God or Mystery that we make in our image
can so often lead us down the wrong path. History shows this has led to
fundamentalism, wars, cruelty and oppression.
Ultimately we are all on a journey back to the Source or Mystery – we are
essentially rooted in this Mystery and this journey involves us in a transformational
relationship that will ultimately lead us back to our true home.
‘Knock and door will open – Seek and you will find’
‘And I say to you – Stay Awake! ‘ (Jesus the Christ)

Formation before transformation Questions for the Spiritual Traveller

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