I recently read a review of a J.Z. Knight/Ramtha video in which the reviewer wrote that Ramtha's teachings are more common sense than true spirituality. I mentally asked, "What is spirituality if not common sense? Would it be uncommon sense or would it be common senselessness?
Why is there such an air of magic and mystery attached to spiritualism? Why is it that only swamis can time travel, or monks levitate? Why has Jesus been the only human known to have walked on water? For the past 2,000 years, why hasn't anyone else been confirmed as having done this?
I have my own theory that Jesus did none of the mystical things he is reported to have done, but if he were alive today, with training and practice, he might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat (given the right hat). The tales about Jesus were merely tales designed to "wow" the masses into perceiving him as a great man; into believing that one has to be specially endowed by a selective god to be spiritual. Again, from my perspective, Jesus needs no embellishments for me to see him as a great man. He was profoundly wise, Divinely guided, tremendously compassionate, loving and giving with a terrific sense of humor. But, this description fits many people I know today. What makes Jesus any more spiritual than any of the modern day spiritualists?
Nothing.
All of us can be like that. At the very least, we each have our moments. When I was a pre-teen, I was introduced to a Ouija Board. I played with it once or twice but quickly lost interest in it. I have a crystal that I've used for divination a few times. But, it has hung in my home in its special place for many months undisturbed. I have a set of Celtic Rune stones and an interpretation book for them. I used them once and put them away. I've dabbled with Tarot cards, drumming, Wicca ritual, healing power of stones, aura reading, color and music therapy and numerology. Nothing has ever captivated me and I've often asked myself throughout my life, "why?" What am I missing, or what is missing in me that doesn't allow me to attach to any of these forms of expression?
Again, the answer is "nothing."
I had known intuitively for many years, but hadn't wanted to believe, that spirituality isn't found in anything external. The source of all true power, all true peace, love, joy, and all true spirituality is within each of us. Ouija boards, drums, stones, cards, and crystals merely reflect who we are inside and can perhaps help us identify what we're experiencing on a subconscious level. But, these things are only tools of spirituality. They're not the spirituality themselves. I've often said that just because I know how to drive a nail, doesn't make me a carpenter. Just because someone can foretell future events, or read tea leaves, or cast spells and charms doesn't make them any more spiritual than you or me. So, what's the harm in using these things for seeing spirituality? Nothing. What's the harm in using them as a substitute for turning within to our source?
Everything.
When we view spirituality as external to ourselves, we create our own separation from it. As long as we keep ourselves separate from it, we can never "have" it. In my growth, I've come to see that attaining spirituality isn't at all about learning how to do it or working on becoming a certain way. Quite the contrary, it's about un-learning our programming and how to simply BE who we truly are. I like to think of attaining spirituality as nothing more than stripping away my filters or layers of ego that keep me from seeing and experiencing my natural, true self. Every time I remind myself of that, I instantly get a feeling of being a bit more spiritual or closer to that core of truth than I was an instant before. We are only as spiritual as we feel we are.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience. We need only to turn within to tap into the all-knowing, all seeing, all creative magnificence of who we naturally are. Therein in lies our truth and therein lies the common sense of spirituality.
Why is there such an air of magic and mystery attached to spiritualism? Why is it that only swamis can time travel, or monks levitate? Why has Jesus been the only human known to have walked on water? For the past 2,000 years, why hasn't anyone else been confirmed as having done this?
I have my own theory that Jesus did none of the mystical things he is reported to have done, but if he were alive today, with training and practice, he might be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat (given the right hat). The tales about Jesus were merely tales designed to "wow" the masses into perceiving him as a great man; into believing that one has to be specially endowed by a selective god to be spiritual. Again, from my perspective, Jesus needs no embellishments for me to see him as a great man. He was profoundly wise, Divinely guided, tremendously compassionate, loving and giving with a terrific sense of humor. But, this description fits many people I know today. What makes Jesus any more spiritual than any of the modern day spiritualists?
Nothing.
All of us can be like that. At the very least, we each have our moments. When I was a pre-teen, I was introduced to a Ouija Board. I played with it once or twice but quickly lost interest in it. I have a crystal that I've used for divination a few times. But, it has hung in my home in its special place for many months undisturbed. I have a set of Celtic Rune stones and an interpretation book for them. I used them once and put them away. I've dabbled with Tarot cards, drumming, Wicca ritual, healing power of stones, aura reading, color and music therapy and numerology. Nothing has ever captivated me and I've often asked myself throughout my life, "why?" What am I missing, or what is missing in me that doesn't allow me to attach to any of these forms of expression?
Again, the answer is "nothing."
I had known intuitively for many years, but hadn't wanted to believe, that spirituality isn't found in anything external. The source of all true power, all true peace, love, joy, and all true spirituality is within each of us. Ouija boards, drums, stones, cards, and crystals merely reflect who we are inside and can perhaps help us identify what we're experiencing on a subconscious level. But, these things are only tools of spirituality. They're not the spirituality themselves. I've often said that just because I know how to drive a nail, doesn't make me a carpenter. Just because someone can foretell future events, or read tea leaves, or cast spells and charms doesn't make them any more spiritual than you or me. So, what's the harm in using these things for seeing spirituality? Nothing. What's the harm in using them as a substitute for turning within to our source?
Everything.
When we view spirituality as external to ourselves, we create our own separation from it. As long as we keep ourselves separate from it, we can never "have" it. In my growth, I've come to see that attaining spirituality isn't at all about learning how to do it or working on becoming a certain way. Quite the contrary, it's about un-learning our programming and how to simply BE who we truly are. I like to think of attaining spirituality as nothing more than stripping away my filters or layers of ego that keep me from seeing and experiencing my natural, true self. Every time I remind myself of that, I instantly get a feeling of being a bit more spiritual or closer to that core of truth than I was an instant before. We are only as spiritual as we feel we are.
We are spiritual beings having a human experience. We need only to turn within to tap into the all-knowing, all seeing, all creative magnificence of who we naturally are. Therein in lies our truth and therein lies the common sense of spirituality.
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