The Work - Part 4
March 28, 2025
Many of the circumstances and relationships on our journey of spiritual growth require hard work. For example, someone wants to take something from us or control us. Maybe they want to take advantage of the relationship or diminish us. Possibly they will not give us what we need or deserve. Maybe their intentions are good as far as they are concerned, but they are blind to the repercussions of their actions. Such scenarios happen all the time in marriages, families, businesses, organizations, political parties, cities, states and countries.
When we feel harmed by someone, whether they consciously intend to do it or not, we can harbor negative feelings toward them. Sometimes, these circumstances cause estrangement in families and good friends to fall out. Such circumstances cause wars and the loss of life. When we are vulnerable, our unchecked ego frequently rears its head. It does so as a protection device — a powerful and primordial defense mechanism that guards what ours is, lest it be taken.
When the unhealthy ego responds to a situation with great strength, this is the most critical time to manifest spiritual consciousness. In fact, when the heart center feels things like blinding rage, extreme sadness, guilt, jealousy, or anxiety, it tips us off that the ego may be dominating. To the spiritually conscious person, this realization draws a line in the sand. Does the ego win and throw us into its fixation, trap, avoidance, and passions, or do we transcend those?
The ego gives us many ways to justify its passionate feelings. It says, " If you lie down and play dead, they will walk all over you.” Or, “Will you stand there and let them do that to you; if so, you’re a fool.” The ego reminds us of the times we were taken advantage of and how awful those times were, and it begs us to trust its strategies.
This is the time and place for discernment instead of knee-jerk reactions. This is the time to pause and consider how our spiritual knowledge applies to this situation. We need to know how to access and employ that spiritual knowledge. This is when we call upon the Divine to show us the way. This is the way of sacred discernment, holy transparency, and holy omniscience. Even the most spiritually amalgamated egos are susceptible to primal threats and can disengage from the soul as a way to protect us. However, the resolve to remain in contact with the soul is the conscious way to proceed.
How do we remain in contact with the soul when our ego regresses? Of course, prayer is the most obvious answer, but frequently, we need to hear the voice of a friend and guide who understands and will not judge us. This dear soul shares our love for the spiritual path and has also experienced the challenge of an overprotective ego. They are our guides, reconnecting us to our highest selves without shaming us. During times like these, they give us the spiritual leverage to make our spiritual work possible. These precious souls are our link to the Divine.
Spiritual practice: Define what circumstance or relationship of yours calls for spiritual discernment at this time.
Self-inquiry: What are some reasons why you would embrace the ego’s fixation instead of spiritual discernment?
Dear God,
I pray for the spiritual pause. Amen
