Thursday, April 19, 2012

Am I Stagnating Spiritually?


Yesterday I traveled to “the other side” in meditation to meet Max, my spirit guide, for the first time in weeks. I wanted to chat with him about my spiritual stagnation.
As I passed through the veil separating the physical and spiritual worlds, I found myself standing in a pristine forest of towering trees. These trees formed a canopy high overhead, reminding me of California redwoods. Rays of celestial light slanted through the forest canopy. 
The path on which I stood stretched off into the distance. On either side of the path, expanses of delicate ferns, moss, and luminescent wildflowers covered the forest floor.
Suddenly I noticed Max approaching on the path from afar. I thought he might scold me for my prolonged absence. Instead, he greeted me warmly and motioned for me to walk with him.
“It’s wonderful to be here,” I told him.
I inhaled deeply, in appreciation of the earthy fragrance of this beautiful forest. Then I said to Max, “I’ve been feeling stuck spiritually. I mean, I don’t feel any spiritual momentum. I guess that’s why I haven’t come to see you in a while.”
He glanced dubiously at me and said, “You are not aware of your own progress, are you? Yet you do so much that contributes to your progress. You attend spiritual conferences. You spend time with spiritual friends. You do Light exercises every day. You devote most of your time everyday to spiritual studies. You are even becoming less angry and frustrated with life.”
He paused briefly and then continued, “You are not stagnating. You are merely taking time to integrate what you have learned so far. Besides, you need to rest before the next big spiritual surge begins. Do not be discouraged.”
“Well, that’s easy when things go my way,” I retorted.
He ignored my comment and said, “You just need to relax.”
Several chirping birds fluttered about as if trying to join our conversation.
Max continued, “Be assured, you are making rapid progress -- even when you don’t feel it.”
Somehow I knew he was right. He always is. But I also knew I have been emotionally anesthetized throughout most of my adult life.
He grabbed my forearm and stopped walking for a moment. Then, looking directly at me, he said, “Here’s what I want you to do: When you meditate, focus on your heart chakra. Breathe into it. As you do this, concentrate on happiness and joy and bliss. Your feelings are more important than the thoughts you have always attached so much importance to. Listen to music with your heart, not your ears.”
Now I was curious. For me, his words were clear and profound. So he continued, “Smell the fragrance that surrounds you with your heart. You can do that, you know. Listen to what others say with your heart, not your head. Touch with your heart, not your hands.”
This surprised me. “I didn’t know I could touch with my heart,” I said.
“Of course you can -- with your feelings,” he replied.
We continued to walk, and after a while, Max said, “I want you to spend more time with me. You need it.”
Then he added, “It isn’t that you need to know more. You just need to feel more.”
“Will I be able to make real emotional progress in this lifetime?” I asked.
“You are eternal,” Max replied. “You are not limited to a single lifetime. You already have lived many times. You can spend additional lifetimes in the physical world whenever and as often as you choose.”
“But I won’t be me in my next lifetime!” I protested.
Max laughed. “You are always you -- even though you inhabit different physical bodies lifetime after lifetime. But don’t focus so much on knowledge. Just be happy. Let others experience happiness with you.”
He paused and then continued, “That which you really are dwells in your heart, not your head. Continue to do what you are doing, but do it with your heart.”
I knew my time with Max was drawing to a close, but I was reluctant to leave. There was still so much to learn. Max assured me that we would continue to discuss these things whenever I returned to spend time with him.
Suddenly, I could hear -- or feel -- what sounded like a heavenly choir, and I knew right away this sound and feeling were coming from within me. I was beginning to understand what Max was saying. We continued to walk without speaking.
“Light and Love are pouring into you,” Max said at last, just as he and the forest scene began to fade from my vision. “Share this Light and Love with others.”
“I will,” I promised. He smiled and was gone, and I was back in the physical world. Nearly an hour had passed, but it felt more like five minutes.



7 comments:

  1. Hey, Roy,

    Nice post!

    What you describe sounds similar to the HeartMath techniques we Agents of Conscious Evolution use in our Vistar Circles.

    Much love,

    Janet

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  2. Beautiful Roy, Max has great wisdom. Sounds like you might want to come out and play with the dolphins and whales soon. The dolphins are all about living in Joy and Play. The whales help you to feel emotions that you have been blocking. They help you feel them gently and in love. When you are with the whales and dolphins you cannot help but being in the moment, it is impossible to think about tomorrow or yesterday.

    Dolphin Joy and Whale Blessings,
    Anne

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  3. Dear Roy,

    What a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing it. I feel it has been my message for awhile now too, just enjoy the journey, to stop taking life too seriously.

    Blessings on your path.

    Namaste,

    Carol

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  4. I enjoyed reading about your conversations with Max. It must have been fulfilling to know that you are on the right path... here in Okinawa we encourage our parents to be our spirit guides and mine are with me all the time. I look forward to meeting you and your group at the June meeting.

    So Hum
    Chrisse

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  5. Wow Roy, what a wonderful experience,
    This story really helped today. I feel your heart
    do you feel mine and the entire universe?

    collective loveeeeeeeeee
    sonia

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  6. Dear friend

    Namaste and how are you?

    It was a very beautiful experience, for a moment I felt as if I was walking along with you when I read your blog 'Am I Stagnating Spiritually'. Of course you are meant to give your light to others and not just happiness. Happiness can be clouded by sadness but the joy of spirit is eternal and doubtless. For me you are like a scientist who loves to research, aren't you interested in the Goal for which you were created? - To become the Light and Spread The Light. In our Mother, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi's words, ' to become the Spirit and help others to become'.

    With warm regards

    Sujana

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  7. Hi Roy I am glad you took the time to write this. Uplifting for many I am sure. L

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