Spiritual Path

For several years it has bothered me when people talk about their experiences along the “Spiritual path.” I never understood why I got that little pang of discomfort and annoyance when I heard those words.

Not too long ago, I realized, it’s all spiritual. Everything from worshipping in a temple, mosque or church - to sitting in silent meditation, reading ancient Eastern text - to working everyday in a factory. Even sitting in a bar drinking yourself into oblivion is spiritual. It’s all spiritual. That’s the only reason we’re here. How is that musicians and artists can practice their craft and produce greatness in the midst of an alcoholic stupor.

It’s the recognition. It’s the recognition of the spiritual presence. Spirit, God, the Universe or whatever one chooses to call it. Or don’t even call it anything. Recognizing the presence is what I believe we’re here to do. Once we recognize the presence, we allow it be, to come through and manifest- wherever. Whether it’s a symphony, a work of art like Michelangelo’s David or the interpretation go the theory of relativity by Einstein. Most of the greatness we experience that blesses nurtures or advances our lives is not the result of a spiritual quest. It mostly comes through when we get quiet and allow the presence to simply be.

And then there’s the path. To me a path implies a prescribed route. A way by which others have traveled before us. By the reality of the presence is that it comes from many directions – sometimes a circular route. And somehow it merely appears without any preparation or traveling it all. It comes through art, music, the written and spoken word, science, math, religion and mysticism. It comes from the earth, the starts, and the water and from the fire. There is no path there. Once again, there is only the Allowing. It’s available to all of us regardless of where we have been or where we think we’re going. The presence is always everywhere. It is only up to us to stop and let it flow through us and deliver us individually and collectively to peace.