Are you making your spiritual evolution your top priority?
Many of us may think we are. We think to ourselves: Of course we want the peace and joy of coming into total Oneness with All! But have we asked ourselves if we are willing to give up everything that holds us in separation? No matter what?
Everyday life can move at such a fast pace that we allow ourselves to get distracted by things we believe we “must get done” or “can’t do without.” We lose ourselves in the illusion of the physical world when we cling to that reality to replace our divine Truth. From the mental/ emotional perspective, spiritual evolution is about giving things up. We fear losing certain people in our lives, giving up physical pleasures or not having any fun anymore. Our limited self sees only hard work and self-sacrifice. It does not have to be this way! But we will need to shift our perspective.
The rose bush growing next to the street sign does not experience itself as better than its neighbor. The consciousness of the rose bush knows itself as one with all of the molecules in the street sign and knows that they come from the same source. They are each highly unique, yet also know their inner sameness. The rose bush knows that some day its stems will wither and die to become mulch in the ground, losing its colorful petals but not its essence of Oneness. It will “give up” its current form but not the sense of its divine nature. As long as it remains strong in the awareness of its true self, this transition will be easy and natural. But if it clings to the need to be wearing those petals, then it will experience that change as a painful loss; a death.
When we choose not to give up any TV time to make room for daily meditation to connect within, we are clinging to an illusion of who we truly are. When we take a job with greater money or prestige even though our heart sings doing something that may earn less, we are denying ourselves true joy. When we say we cannot live without another person, we are already not living as our true self. These are all attachments we must let go, for our spiritual evolution.
The ascension process is not always easy. It requires our commitment and focus, and there are no shortcuts. We will each have to look at some unpleasant truths about ourselves in order to heal. But it does not have to be a struggle nor feel like a sacrifice. What we gain in our spiritual mastery is exponentially greater than what we give up. Surrendering to that truth is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Are you willing to love yourself that much? So, ask the question: What am I willing to do for my spiritual evolution? No matter what.