– Milarepa
The human being simply does not have enough fuel in one lifetime to explore every byway that presents itself. If we had a thousand years to live, we could explore every roadside attraction, doing all the little things that appeal to us, and still have time left for realizing the goal of life. But even the most long-lived of us will be given a hundred years at most – and but a fraction of that time before vitality and resolution begin to wane.
People approach spiritual growth in one of two ways: there are the “locals” and the “express” trains. The “locals” stop at every little station along the way to sample the food and enjoy the local color. But the “express” goes straight through to the destination. Fortunately, there seems to be an inner law: we start as “locals” but become “expresses” as we make progress on our journey.
When we take to meditation and put all our heart into practicing spiritual disciplines, we find ourselves speeding towards the goal.
--Eknath Easwaran
Where is the express train? Are there different ones for different people? Where have you found yours? Where can I find mine? And is it too late for me to board it?
12 comments:
Sorry dude,
Too late for you.
If you haven't discerned the difference between infilled spirituality and mediocre marxist (progressive) politics or seen that there are forces of good and evil operating within, at your age, I'm afraid you've missed the boat.
(or the train as the case may be)
Thank you, my friend, for more of your encouraging and inspiring wisdom. I'm not sure where you get the idea that I haven't "discerned the difference between infilled spirituality and mediocre marxist (progressive) politics or seen that there are forces of good and evil operating within," but I doubt that it matters very much. For the record, the fact that I believe in universal healthcare and other government run programs to help those who need it doesn't make me a Marxist, and I think my "progressive politics" is far more in keeping with an "infilled spirituality" worthy of the name than is literal and figurative business as usual. As for "forces of good and evil operating within,"I certainly agree that there are forces in most, if not all of us, that seek to inflict pain and suffering on others. I get the impression that yours may be working overtime.
All the best.
Not sure where I get the idea? Have you objectively read any of your posts? You are clueless as to where the ideology eminates.
Karl would be proud.
You may not like my delivery but if you could see through your own biases you'd see that I am a good friend doing you an immense favor.
An express train if you will.
Yeah, me too
And me.
Not me, he screwed my blog.
Ian
Seemed to hit on something....
but too bad.
Will not confuse you anymore.
good Day
BDOF
The express train is only available through grace, not through your's or Easwaran's dreadfully confused approach. Keep doing whatever it is you're doing, and you'll see what I mean. I guarantee it.
My friend, I've not only read my posts, I've written them. And I know, even if you don't, that the government involvement in people's and the nation's well-being that I advocate does not make me a Marxist.
Why do you say that Easwaran's and my approach are "dreadfully confused"? How do you understand the nature of "grace," and what "approach" must one use to receive it?
I rest my case. You're the one who asked why you're making no progress. If you continue on your present path, you will most certainly end up where you are headed.
Actually, my friend, I didn't ask how I could make progress, but how I could make accelerated progress--i.e., board the "express train." As for your having made your case, I have yet to truly understand just what your "case" is.
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