One of the most discussed aspects of spiritual practice is how much to engage the “outer world” in daily life. Some philosophies teach that living in a rarefied environment like an abbey or ashram is the best choice for spiritual growth. Others espouse the idea of embracing the daily world fully and just devoting a certain period of time each week for spiritual practice. Recently I asked the Guides about this balancing act and here is what They shared with me…
“Confusion has arisen through the misunderstandings of eons of those who believe that what IS, here and now, should be rejected. What IS here and now is to be embraced, for it is the very reason you have come (to this physical existence).
“It does not take a person of great intellect to realize that if they put hard-earned money into their wallet, get into a car, drive across the city to a store, park the car, walk in the store…it does not take great intellect to realize that they are there to buy something and that they should then do so, thereby fulfilling their intent.
“To come into physical form and to reject (meaning to cast judgment upon as being unworthy) the physical and emotional aspects would be to make all of the costly preparations of entering into that experience void. It would be like saving up money, preparing to go to the store, taking the trouble to drive through the traffic only to arrive and stand in the middle of the store and just stand there. It makes no sense.
“Would it not be wiser to go into the store and to delight in all of the things, knowing that one chose to be there, that this is the just reward for the money saved? Knowing that this is the culmination of the many layers of preparation and delighting in the fact that this is that very culmination? There is beauty to be had in that.
“It is true, it is not of great value to go into the store and blindly, unconsciously shop. It should be a conscious act. Those times when you unconsciously engage in the physical or mental are not the Highest. You may be living and feeling, but are you conscious of it? Not often.
“So the answer, as usual, lies between the two: Are you there to enjoy the physical, emotional and mental realities? Yes. Could you be more conscious about it? Yes. So pause before an enjoyable act and affirm your consciousness of it.
“Before ingesting a meal pause and say, ‘I paid a high price for this body, and in this food I will take delight.’ Before physical activity such as hiking, ‘I paid a high price for this body and in this experience I will take delight.’ With companions, ‘I paid a high price for this body and in this conversation with another I will delight.’ At work, ‘I paid a high price for this body and in this job I HAVE CHOSEN I will delight.’
“It is best that there be a greater consciousness in what you do, for you paid a high price for that incarnation and in it you should delight!”
To read more of the Angels’ Words of Wisdom, please peruse other selections from our Wisdom category or visit http://www.hopeofthenewage.com/Wisdom
Grace and Clarity 