Most people are drawn into the dream of society, or if you will, the propaganda that focuses totally on the materialistic/human side of life. When was the last time that you saw an advertisement for ‘growing your spirit?’ All I see are commercials for some form of ‘growing your money,’ living longer and looking younger, thinner and more beautiful—all playing to the greatest human motivators, fear and desire.

All of this points to the fact that our inner kingdom, which contains our divine flame of spirit—of creation—of the Great Mystery, has to be acknowledged, awakened, and in some form, ‘opened.’

And contrary to some New Age Gurus, this transformation of self, the awakening of our divine side, will not happen by some magical alignment of planets or, just as magically, conscious evolution. It never has and it never will. And this is proven by empirically examining the past and the known mechanics of growth. I.e. for a seed to transform into a flowering bush takes hard work (on the part of the seed), and for a muscle to grow takes hard work through the wounding (tearing) of the muscle and then it’s subsequent healing.

Interestingly enough, the hard work that I am referring to above is the antithesis of marketing and advertising. Sher discovered some interesting facts on the key to successful—making money—marketing. The number one fact is to sell pleasure not pain. And to work hard at something is painful and may involve suffering. Of course, if you are working hard to achieve a materialistic end—making money—then that is the pleasure in the power of money.

But to work hard for the sole purpose of having your divine light shine brighter is about as non-powerful (in our 21^st Century cultural paradigm) and non-tangible as you can get. "What is that all about and who would want to do it? You mean to look younger I have to open up the dark ugly box hiding my wounded past. And then confront it and heal it? No thanks; just pass the Botox."

Well, my purpose on this earth is to bring a message and the ageless teachings that will help humanity and the earth and all it’s creatures return back to balance. I am not here to sell a product of illusion.

The bottom line—to reveal our treasures within requires a path—a Way of spiritual development—that takes much courage of the heart and the inner and outer work of body and mind. No one else is going to do it for us; we must confront the truth of our own self, the past and the present. And then heal it and transform it!

To the Japanese spiritual tradition, ‘practice of the Way’ is known as shugyo—hard training that engenders enlightenment. This training is not about reading books or sitting in buildings, but involves our body - mind out in nature facing our fears and our finite human existence while exploring and becoming one with the mountains, the valleys, the streams and the creatures of the earth. And how could you ever harm a creature and without regard, cut a tree or pollute a stream, if you are one with them?

One of the aspects of shugyo is referred to as keiko or the use of ancient wisdom to illuminate the present. One desirable quality of keiko is patience. Another quality is known as kokoro—heart - mind spiritual essence.

In addition to kokoro and patience, I feel that there are also five virtues to cultivate: courage, forgiveness, love, compassion and wisdom. These virtues will be examined next month.  

July 2003