In the beginning I was the little guy. As people discover an interest in spiritual things they inevitably face the question of what a spiritual path is. It can be very challenging and confusing as we translate desire or yearning for more into something that holds intrinsic value and meaning with the potential for healing, change or transformation. It"s important to realize that the initial doorway into spiritual realms is not necessarily a path. We can believe it is one thing, while it is something completely different, so before we continue, what do you believe? Are you seeking or on a spiritual path?

Traditionally the goal of a spiritual path is understood as enlightenment or nirvana; connection with Source, God, Creator. It is appreciated, at least outside of Western culture, as a process not an event. It combines consistent effort, a conscious commitment to a path of development and Divine Grace. This is not the understanding I had in the beginning .

While I had an interest in spiritual things, expressed in a variety of ways, I seldom understood how to go beyond a beginning understanding.  When I (through grace) eventually recognized the choice to engage a spiritual path I did not know what that would look like or how to begin. Oh, I"d heard and read about unity and going within. I was familiar with the phrase "heal thyself" but how that was accomplished remained a mystery. Along the way I discovered a spiritual path did not mean: learning alternative ways of healing going to holistic or new age week-ends reading spiritual books discovering past lives attending week-end workshops getting psychic readings people were different saving the world.  At the time these were unconnected events and while all have a place within unity, they are not in and of themselves seeking to know the Creator within. There were other misconceptions but you get the idea.

Then one day my guides suggested that healing the heart was one way to begin healing yourself and that would lead to going within; would I be willing to consider it, to begin? I was asked to begin with a commitment of 20 minutes a day. It was explained that this was commitment to the sacred within and that there were many potentials that could be engaged with a more mature commitment than I"d been previously making. I could meditate, pray, use any healing tools that I was aware of but to do consistently. I was assured a misstep was not fatal, but if I were serious about this, a consistency of effort was foundational.

 In the years since this opening discussion that 20 minutes has grown and I experience the joy of a life transformed. I was also asked at that time if I was aware that everyone"s guides and angels would lend their help in healing a person if asked, but only if asked. I"d never run across that concept but I was quick to adopt it! I hope you will too.

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