The Joy of Where We Are Right Now

Why we don't skip steps on a spiritual journey

Photo by Samantha Garrote

So, in my study of ancient teachings, I’ve been reading books from Tibetan Buddhism, Dzogchen, Tantra, Kundalini, etc... and one common thread that I've found is that a teacher doesn't teach people techniques that they aren't ready for. They require that the student continues with the current teaching until it is mastered and then they can learn a more advanced technique.

There's some part of my modern mind that has fought against this idea. I would like to go to the most advanced practice and perhaps speed up the process. There is something in my head that thinks that the advanced practice will work faster and be more effective than the earlier practices... so why not just go there first?

I also had some kind of idea that there were times when these teachings were being withheld from the students as some kind of guru-ego trip. So, the rebellious part of me rises up and says "I can do it! Don't withhold it from me!"

But I'm realizing that none of this is true. 

It isn't that we can't do the "advanced" practices. We can go through the motions no problem. The point is that we won't get anything out of them. We won't have the experiences that these practices are meant to invoke because our minds, psyches and bodies aren't prepared for them yet.

Storms Obscure a Hummingbird's Wings

Last Monday, we studied a verse from the Radiance Sutras about listening to the primal sound of the Universe. We were asked to listen to the sound within our heart centre (anahat). The challenge is that anahat means "unstruck chord". This is the sound that exists in the universe without anything being struck like hitting a drum or a cymbal. It is listening to the hum of the universe all around us. (You can listen to the class HERE).

This would be considered a more advanced practice because first, we must ensure that our mind is quiet. If we have arguments raging in our mind, this will be all that we can hear. If we are berating ourselves for something, this will take precedence over anything else.

If we are in this state, how frustrating would it be for a teacher to ask us to quieten our minds to listen to the sound that doesn't sound like sound? Not only would it be impossible, it would be counterproductive to our spiritual journey because we would feel like we failed - that we couldn't do it.

Just Enough Light...

There's a saying attributed to many people that we are always given "just enough light for the step we are on". This is important in many ways.

One, it asks us to stay on this step long enough to deeply heal, integrate and master a new way of being. We tend to be very impatient in our modern world. And yet, what is the hurry? We live in an infinite world where time kind of exists and kind of doesn't exist. Why would it matter if it takes 1 week or 10 years to dive deeply into the intricacies of our monkey minds? Why isn't this an interesting journey unto itself - regardless of potential future journeys?

Two, when we are on the step we are on, we have everything we need for our journey within us. If we want to proceed beyond where we are right now, we may desire a "hand up" from a teacher, guru, or community to "help" us like in the picture at the top of this essay. But this is only if we want to skip steps. 

Everything we need is within us if we explore and play where we actually are.

This doesn't mean that we don't read books, talk to friends, or listen to the words of teachers or gurus. There will often be little gems here and there that will fit like puzzle pieces into your picture. The difference is that it is YOU putting the pieces together. There is no straining to a teacher or expectation. You are asking for guidance and it is simply appearing in many forms. This keeps you at the centre of your journey.

This keeps you connected to your Satya (truth) and fully empowered in your current exploration.

The Inner Peace this Brings

Personally, this relieves a certain angst that we can feel on a spiritual journey. Sometimes, there's the feeling that no matter how much we learn and grow, there are infinite steps on this ladder and we will never get "there"... wherever "there" is.

Instead, we get to slow down and look at the steps that perhaps we haven't wanted to look at. We are able to look at the aspects of our lives that we have deeply wanted to bring into alignment with our Truth.

We can now rest in THAT journey. Even the act of slowing down the spiritual train allows us to look at the tools we have at our fingertips that are perfect for where we are. We are able to look at the teachings that have touched us and see how they apply to us right now. And we know that if we are seeking guidance, it is one meditation, prayer, dance or journal entry away.

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