Spiritual highs and lows?

[Lucky]

I've noticed a pattern over the last couple years. It seems when I develop more spiritually or new abilities arise, it's followed by a quiet period of nothing going on at all. It's like I get to a certain point of development and it stops. It could be I'm adjusting to new energy and I need these periods of rest to digest a bit. I've been in a period of rest for almost a month now and haven't even meditated nor had the desire to. I also haven't had many dreams like I usually do, and when I have dreamt this past month they are negative and weird.

Does anyone else experience these spiritual ups and downs? What calls you back or sparks it up again?

[iamthat]

This does seem to be a natural pattern. We see ourselves making progress and then we reach a plateau. Or we have a period of expansion and then we have a period where nothing much seems to happen.

I think of this quiet period as a time to consolidate whatever we might have gained or realised. As Lucky says, a time of rest to digest a bit. It is a time of settling in to our new realisations, a time to really make these realisations a part of who we are, a time to ground them so they become part of our everyday life.

A recent example is Eckhart Tolle, who had his awakening experience and then sat on London park benches for two years. Outwardly he might have seemed to be doing very little, but I suspect that he was inwardly settling into his new awakened state, establishing his identity in that state.

Without such a period of reflection and consolidation then whatever we have realised seems to become less obvious, less accessible. It doesn't go away, but it has not yet become part of our identity.

Peace.

[Miss Hepburn]

This can happen...then with time not so much.
I can only speak for myself, ok? Cuz I know others may not relate...
I immediately recognize my 'dullness', let's say. It immediately is a wonder and odd!!! Ha! Like what's this about?
I immediately talk to God, "Lord, I know You are having me feel this for a reason...I accept all you lead me to...thank You."

Um, within a second I'm in a bubble of His Love again.
My life is basically a surrender to whatever He leads me into.

If that means any discomfort..so be it...but, it never lasts long...I learn what I need...when I focus on Him...
just Him...that is 'it', for me.
Forget my 'self', ya know?

[Lucky]

Thanks to both of you for your insight!

[froebellian]

Nothing is constant, for one evolves at different stages and phases. Highs occur when you least expect it, and lows occur when you think you are ready to 'act'. The Soul needs time to rest at times and to take stock of events before it is ready to take on another lesson, challenge, or to tackle some karmic debt.

Spiritual highs are also when you rebalance karmic debt, and it feels more like relief than anything else. I would call that a high, although you may not think it as the time.

[Ahriman]

Originally Posted by Lucky

I've noticed a pattern over the last couple years. It seems when I develop more spiritually or new abilities arise, it's followed by a quiet period of nothing going on at all. It's like I get to a certain point of development and it stops. It could be I'm adjusting to new energy and I need these periods of rest to digest a bit. I've been in a period of rest for almost a month now and haven't even meditated nor had the desire to. I also haven't had many dreams like I usually do, and when I have dreamt this past month they are negative and weird.

Does anyone else experience these spiritual ups and downs? What calls you back or sparks it up again?

Periods of rest are definitely not helpful in terms of spiritual development. You mentioned that you meditate; if you want to keep developing your spiritual abilities, you have to keep meditating, even if you don't feel like doing it. You mentioned negative/weird dreams; these dreams are a byproduct of stagnating spiritual growth. If you want to keep going with the spiritual stuff, you are going to have to work harder.

[Lucky]

I agree with all of your opinions in the replies, and Ahriman, there's truth to what you said also and I appreciate your take on it. As far as the dreams being a byproduct of this stagnant time, you're spot on. Just dreamt last night I was driving a beat up car and couldn't use the left directional...hmmm...

[iamthat]

We could take nature as an example. In some parts of the world the climate allows for year-round growth. In other parts of the world there are cycles of spring (new growth), summer (fruition), autumn (harvest) and winter (rest).

So it is with humans. For some people the spiritual path is year-round growth. For others the spiritual path is cycles of growth followed by rest.

Both are right for different types of people. We cannot say that everyone's path should follow the same pattern.

Peace.

[Lucky]

Excellent point iamthat!!

[Winter Song]

Originally Posted by Lucky

It could be I'm adjusting to new energy and I need these periods of rest to digest a bit.

This is precisely what is happening, and it is nothing to worry about.

Does anyone else experience these spiritual ups and downs?

Yes, but I don't refer to them as "ups and downs" because that implies that the slack periods are somehow bad, or inferior. I prefer "ebbs and flows," because, like the tides, it is a natural cycle, and there are advantages to experiencing both phases.

What calls you back or sparks it up again?

When it is the proper time, the tide rolls back in, usually when I least expect it. I might read something or see a video that triggers a yearning to know more, and the next thing I know, I'm swimming in it again. I can't force it; it has to arise on its own.

I let myself enjoy the ebb periods while they are here, because they are peaceful and contemplative and a needed rest. Once the tide rolls back in, it carries an immense amount of energy, and while it is invigorating and exciting and expansive, it can be exhausting trying to keep up with it. So I appreciate the extended periods of quiet in between.