THE SACRED JOURNEY

Walking a conscious spiritual path is truly a choice. We can sit and read about insights and experiences of others, but that doesn’t move us forward on our sacred journey unless we are committed to meditate, contemplate and internalize the truths that arise in the silence or in spiritual literature and other spiritual experiences. I made this commitment twenty years ago. It was the best decision I have ever made.

Choosing to follow spiritual guidance may produce a true awakening to the Love that we really are. Each person’s awakening will be different. No one can make it happen as one thinks it ought to be. It comes through the higher consciousness and often begins as a growing reverence for life. The journey becomes a richer experience each time an inner realization of the Presence occurs. Life itself becomes a spiritual adventure.

Great Mystics tell us that this is not an easy path because we are called to “die” to attain what we desire. This is not a physical death. It is dying to the personal sense of self. Full Enlightenment occurs when the revelation of God incarnated as the Self is fully realized. There is no longer I, me or mine nor past, present or future. There is only God, Light, and now.

Over the years, there have been many ups and downs in my spiritual journey. There still are, but I can feel the change in myself. There was a time that I never thought of God or Spirit or even the Universe. For many years after I had an awakening during a long illness, I was only aware when I was in the peaceful flow. Today I am more aware of the times when I am out of the flow. That affords me a great opportunity to understand how my ego tries to pull me out of peace. This awareness is a reminder for me to detach from the mind talk and to look at the situation without judgment. Only then can I identify those old behaviors and beliefs, understand them and, begin to transform them.

Awakening to the Truth of who we are is the greatest commitment we will ever make. We must become aware of the Spirit that guides us and release our attachment to the sense of separation from others and the world. As feelings arise there may be distractions, fear, suffering and a number of other emotions. It may feel as if we are at war with ourselves. The mind is powerful, but so is the heart. Compassion for the self and others will always bring us back to Love.

The Divine works through us as often as we allow. While writing my thesis on Mysticism, my inner wisdom guided me to different books or websites that made my work easier. However, when it came to the conclusion, I was stuck. I struggled to find just the right words to pull this topic together. It wasn’t working. I had extreme neck and shoulder pain. I finally visited my doctor who banned me from the computer or anything to do with the thesis for the weekend. “Just rest,” he ordered, and I listened. The next morning, I plopped in front of the television. The first program just happened to give me an idea for the conclusion. For the entire weekend, more ideas came out of a book, a DVD and from my higher Self. No struggle, no pressure. I just surrendered and sat in awe of the entire experience. I didn’t write one word at this time. I just watched and listened. On Monday when I began writing again, the words just flowed.

This is the Sacred Journey…to surrender, be present, observe, listen, trust and act. It’s very simple, but not always easy. Many hesitate because they believe that this journey means giving up too much. I certainly don’t agree. It has enriched my more life than I ever imagined. Everyone can choose to walk this Sacred Journey. How about You???


Written with Love

Barbara Rasp

Holy is this path and holy are you who walk it. It has been found by many brothers who see the lessons in the Journey to Enlightenment as that path to Heaven. You walk alone, but you do not die alone; for when you move out of the valley and up the mountain, life takes on new meaning.
From: A Gift of Roses, by Barbara Rasp

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