So, we’re seeing here that the most elementary, most external requirement for growth is the willingness to let go of what you believe should happen, what you believe things should be, what you believe will make you happy. – A.H. Almaas
How many ways are there to express ignorance or stubbornness? How often do we find these two traits in the same person?
Very few people are capable of learning physics, chemistry or any other advance subject on their own. Few would even attempt to do so. It’s common sense to seek guidance and instruction when delving into something complex or subtle.
It’s interesting how many of us, on the spiritual path, think we can do it on our own. I’m not talking religion, dogma or doctrine here. I’m talking about one of the most complex and subtle realms of exploration one can engage. And yet, many of us believe we can do it ourselves – we believe we know what direction we need to go. When it comes to inner growth, everyone all of a sudden seems to be a class-a psychic.
Freud proved that ego is first and foremost a defensive structure, a coping mechanism. It is a universal phenomenon that the mind that the ordinary person identifies with is fundamentally a “groove machine.” It keeps running in the same circles and will continue to do so even when we believe we are going in a different direction.
That’s why it usually takes a great deal of suffering or something radical to wake us up. The ordinary mind is not going to leave its rut until it becomes so painful that change is not an option.
Think this is not so? The biggest rut is believing that we are separate individuals. The number of people challenging or giving up this fantasy are few indeed.