But our awareness of its punishing
presence within us is the same as our invitation to transcend the negative nature that is
responsible for it.
So, if we want to realize the higher
level of Self that reveals the need for further transformation,
then we have work to do. We must actualize this new level of
ourselves by acting from our new understanding in a whole
different way.
In each instance where we see that we still have more to
understand about ourselves, we must use our lives to become a
living example of those qualities of character that we need to
learn. In other words, in order to transcend what we have
seen as limiting us, we must teach, by example, what we would
further understand.
Following are four ways to teach the truths that transform the
world we live in, even as we ourselves are transformed by our own
actions. It is vital for us to remember that these suggested
practices are designed to help us achieve an enhanced spiritual
balance in ourselves, even as, through these same actions, we
teach others around us about the possibility of living from a
whole new order of self-understanding.
1) We teach
others when we do not react in alarm to some potentially
frightening news or event. The world around us receives the
lesson that those events – in themselves – do not have the
power to make or break the awakened soul. Our lesson – if
we will teach it – is to see that we need not ride along on our
own three-alarm nature that loves getting set off.
2)
We teach others when they can see us laugh at our own
mistakes. The world around us receives the lesson that there
is a big difference between making a mistake and thinking of
oneself as being a mistake. Our lesson – if we will teach
it – is to see that any compulsive wish to be seen as perfect in
the eyes of the world is a punishment that can never be a part of
our true peace and contentment.
3)
We teach others around us when we won't give voice to
complaint. The world around us receives the lesson that there are
superior ways to handle times of discomfort or disappointment that
do not include expressing negative emotions. Our lesson –
if we will teach it – is to see that we can use passing dark
states to awaken to and realize an interior wisdom that knows how
to use everything for its own growth.
4)
We teach others whenever we refuse to psychologically
defend ourselves – be this against simple sarcasm or even
vicious slander. The world around us receives the lesson
that what is true needs no defense and that what is false cannot
be defended. Our lesson – if we will teach it – is the
realization that people only feel the need to attack what
frightens them and that we need never live in fear of any
frightened person.
Our
real spiritual development is under invisible laws: To grow,
we must learn. To learn, we must teach. To teach we
must lead. To lead, we must make mistakes. Making
mistakes tills the ground of us, making it receptive to new and
higher lessons, and thus the positive spiral completes itself,
even as it rises above its original starting point.
Take these suggested exercises and work with them to teach the
truths that transform the world around and within you. Make
up your own exercises based on the lessons you know that life is
asking you to learn. Always strive to remember that anything we
work to change in ourselves cannot help but change everything.
What can be more promising than that?
Guy
Finley is Founder and Director of the Life of Learning Foundation,
devoted to helping people realize their True Relationship with
Life. Guy is the author of over 30 books and audio albums
that have sold over a million copies in 15 languages worldwide,
and is on the faculty of the Omega Institute, the nation's largest
and most trusted holistic education provider. For more information about Guy Finley and
Life of Learning visit www.guyfinley.com,
where you can also sign up to receive a free, weekly Key Lesson.
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