“I thought that we are protected when we do spiritual practices.” This was the lament of a friend who was having a difficult time with her boss. I began to explain my interpretation of what the masters mean, when they say that following the spiritual path brings protection. To me, it does not mean that we do not encounter pain and suffering, but that our relationship to it changes. Perhaps this excerpt from The Master:Teachings For Enlightenment by Chao-Hsiu Chen says it well:
“My child, from now on you will continue alone. But even if you don’t see me anymore I will still be with you. I will watch over you when you lie sleeplessly at night and I will enter your dreams when you finally fall asleep. I will help you when you are in danger and I will share your happiness when you give help to others. I will be with you when you are unsure of your way, even though your goal lies nearby. I will be the sun of your smile and the tears of your grief, which you will transform into strength. This will assist you to find the Treasure of Life. And when you have found it, it will help you to pass it on. Remember this: there is nothing that comes and nothing that goes. Everything is always there, the beginning and the end are one. The Great Circle turns by itself. Nothing started it and it will never be still. Everything is in the Great Circle and everything will be in the Great Circle. Movement is life and movement is death. Life is sorrow, death is sorrow. Sorrow is grief and pain. Grief and pain hide wisdom. Wisdom is liberation from passion. Liberation from passion is the finding of moderation. Moderation is Right Joy. The Right Joy is Right Giving. The Right Giving is Right Understanding. The Right Understanding awakens in the arms of time.”
The story is a parable about the master-student relationship. The master is the wisdom teachings which we come in contact with, whether it is directly through meeting a master in person, or through their writings. When we follow the wisdom teachings, they become our protection in that awareness begins to arise as the seeds of knowledge sprout and awaken the pillars of wisdom within. We can then navigate the pitfalls of illusion, cutting through the habitual reactions to life’s ups and downs.
Students beginning the spiritual journey, may feel relieved to hear the words of spiritual masters who promise to give protection to their students. Many who are looking for a parent figure to take away the responsibility of dealing with the challenges of life may take on the delusion that the spiritual path is some kind of protection from sorrow. In my understanding, there is no mojo offered to the student from the path or the teacher, rather that the wisdom teachings act like a shield from the ignorance of true understanding. The teachings help us to align to our own inner wisdom like an invisible master constantly guiding and speaking to us. They serve as the tools with which we transform the difficulties we encounter, into positive learning experiences. Holding on to the staff of the master’s teachings, we navigate the waters of life, moving around the obstacles on the path rather than getting bogged down by them. And like a swift flowing river, we reach the destination of the open seas, merging and becoming one, losing our separate identity.
The spiritual path can be winding and treacherous. One of my teachers used to say that the spiritual path is like the two wings of a bird. One wing represents the grace of the master’s teachings, the other is self-effort. Together the two wings soar on the updraught of the protection of spiritual wisdom and take us to the highest reaches of freedom that is our human destiny. It is our choice, how willing we are to let go of the drama of ignorance and let go into the serenity of peace and equanimity.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank-you for sharing this important lesson. The path which we travel is full of adventure, it is our perspective which will protect us, it is the perspective that the masters help us to unlock from within.
To tap into inner knowing is to realize you are always loved, secure and have no reason to fear. Every gentle nudge moves you in the direction to rediscover this inner realm of infinite peacefulness. Nothing is difficult of fearful unless the mind creates the illusion.
Miruh – I am so glad that you covered this theme. I do think this idea of being protected from pain is prevalent, a projection many of us bring with us on our spiritual journey, sometimes unconsciously, along with others, such as the idea that we will get whatever we ‘want’. Then when we hit bumps we take it as a sign that we have ‘failed’ or that we are doing something wrong. When sometimes challenges are actually a sign of moving deeper into ourselves, of shadows we need to face along the way, and sometimes they are just – bumps. Always they are opportunities, that is certain. I am not always able to see them this way right away, however:-) This is a wonderful passage that you have shared too.
Hello Mark,
I like how you say it, “The path which we travel is full of adventure…” As with any adventure we embark on, it is helpful to know how others who have gone before us did it; to consult the travel guides from the masters. It makes us feel a little more secure on the journey.
Hello Liara,
Your words express what the spiritual journey is about. The teachings help to remind us when we falter. They are our ultimate protection.
Deep peace to you!
Hello Lisa,
I love the quote, it describes the spiritual path with so much beauty and compassion.
I agree with you that there is a lot of misunderstanding out there about what being spiritual means. I am particularly wary of teachers who describe the lofty idealism as the mark of the true seeker and cause many to believe that they are unworthy or failures. And then there are the books and blogs that promote attracting stuff as spiritual development….sigh!
Thanks for bringing up the point about uncovering layers of “shadow” which we encounter when we establish more safety and have the deeper courage to be able to look at our issues.
Thanks for sharing so openly and honestly.
Love and blessings to you!
Hi Miruh,
“Together the two wings soar on the updraught of the protection of spiritual wisdom and take us to the highest reaches of freedom that is our human destiny.”
This is eloquent.
I have always felt protected by the invisible shield of love. I live by a simple rule, the more love I put into the world, the more love protects me. My wings are forever expanding.
Thanks for sharing your beauty with us.
Dear Miruh,
I love what your teacher shared with you. Visually, I can see it. Such a beautiful metaphor.
As always, your words touch me, deeply.
Gentle grace and Love, Linda
Dear sister,
You are words are drenched in soulful meaning,
You never fail to uplift us with a shining thought of light… to help us as we journey…
My love to you always,
Maithri
Hello Alexys,
Yes, I admit that was an eloquent moment; one just never knows when the muse will drop in, enfold you in her gossamer wings and whisper tender words to share. You, my friend get the frequent flyer perks…lol.
Thanks for your kind words and loving presence here!
Hello Linda,
I agree, the metaphor of a soaring bird is a beautiful vision of peace and freedom to carry you through the journey. Hold on… relaxed, it’s a bumpy ride…lol.
May you soar on the wings of freedom, my friend!
Hello Maithri,
The journey is easeful with friends like you, whose shining light casts a welcome glow at each twist and turn along the way. I am honored to be in blessed company where angels thread.
Deep peace to you, my friend!
the essence of the teachings of a real Master so well explained and experienced.
It is the grace that bestows the awareness. Thankyou for sharing such wisdom.
Hello Merging Point,
The grace of fellow travelers like you make the journey an enjoyable one.
Thanks for your kind words and loving presence!
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