Bliss & Struggle: Is it worth it?

In my last blog, I mentioned how both St Teresa and Buddhism stressed the importance of Wisdom and Compassion in a mature and balanced spiritual practice. These two roles remind us that we live in a real-world that includes other people. Wisdom and Compassion offer a way to channel our spiritual energy, released by a mature and focused spiritual practice. They also remind us that while we may enjoy moments of bliss in our meditation or prayer practise, they raise two dangers. The first is to seek these experiences. The second is to regard them as signs of spiritual growth and maturity. Rather than a gift we may (or may not) receive to encourage us to persevere in our spiritual practice.

I remember, for example, as a young university student, of recounting a recent awakening experience to my spiritual director. I felt he might be impressed by my Spiritual growth and maturity! He replied that "It was no more than a little grace God gave to encourage me. Accept it as such, and be thankful for it, then let it go". At the time, I felt a bit shattered by his lack of enthusiasm. In retrospect, I was naively misinterpreting an experience as a sign of spiritual growth and maturity.

Lama Surya Das offered similar wisdom; and so did St Teresa. Surya Das tells us not to get caught up in such experiences. They may be valid, or they may be just a projection of our desires. Let them go and move on because "The genuine lessons we learn, stay with us, but the special effects will quickly disappear." 1

I mention this because if your commitment to growing a spiritual practice (whether it be Buddhist or Christian), is not to be taken lightly. You will have times when you will need all the encouragement these 'pleasant' moments may offer. This is because the next step on our inner journey will inevitably involve a decisive self-surrender. The Dalai Lama referred to it in this Prayer of Dedication:

"May I become at all times, now and forever:
A Protector for those without protection,
A Guide for those who have lost their way,
A Ship for those with oceans to cross,
A Bridge for those who have rivers to cross,
A Sanctuary for those in danger,
A Lamp for those without light,
A Place of Refuge for those who lack shelter,
And a Servant to all in need." 2

While the sentiment of this Prayer of Dedication may sound inspiriting, St Teresa reminds us it will involve a progressive death of our ego - a dying to self – or A' laying down of our life' as Jesus mentioned in the John 5:13. Both Jesus, Buddha and Teresa acknowledged that this will cause us pain. However, they assures us, we will discover the simplicity and inner stillness for which our souls long. I will say more about this in my next blog.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and good will on your journey.

Phil

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1 Lama Surya Das, Awakening to the Sacred, Harmony,2007, p 61.

2 Hearn (2007) Daily Puja, "Prayer of Dedication" by His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama, p 40.