Passivity & spirituality

Originally Posted by traceyacey12

Is it somehow wrong to actively pursue spirituality as opposed to letting it flow to you? After all, isn't awakening about being in alignment and allowing the universe to bring us what we need?

The seeker is always that which is sought, and your Spirituality is an aspect of you. If Spirituality is something external to you then you'll never really find it.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by traceyacey12

Is it somehow wrong to actively pursue spirituality as opposed to letting it flow to you? After all, isn't awakening about being in alignment and allowing the universe to bring us what we need?

I am in favor of active pursuit but with the proper understanding without any dogma/superstition and with guidance/insights from experienced ones (preferably in impersonal manner like through books and works of them keeping in view many unscrupulous spiritual teachings in vogue now a days) . Another aspects of these pursuits should be continuity , general goodwill , faith in universe , persistence and willingness to offer small material sacrifice for larger good over longer period .

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by A human Being

Ah okay, didn't know that expression came from the Zen tradition - I've heard the spiritual teacher Jon Bernie use that expression quite often, it's a saying that really resonates with me. Mainly because I've spent quite a lot of time and energy trying to push the river, only to find out that, yep, it don't work.

Actually the origin of "don't push the river" seems to be unknown, but it is used by many traditions and teachers. Maybe I first heard it in a Zen context.

It seems to be human nature to try to push the river, and sometimes to try to divert it into a whole new direction. As you say, it is futile, but that does not stop us from trying.

Peace

[A human Being]

Originally Posted by iamthat

It seems to be human nature to try to push the river, and sometimes to try to divert it into a whole new direction. As you say, it is futile, but that does not stop us from trying.

So true, it seems that we're hard-wired to do that! We tend to be afraid of letting go of control, we think either we won't get what we want or that something bad will happen. But at a certain point I think you start to see the futility of it, or maybe you simply become exhausted with all the effort.

[iamthat]

Originally Posted by A human Being

So true, it seems that we're hard-wired to do that! We tend to be afraid of letting go of control, we think either we won't get what we want or that something bad will happen. But at a certain point I think you start to see the futility of it, or maybe you simply become exhausted with all the effort.

Very true. We want to feel that we have some control over our life and then we can stop bad things from happening. And yet "bad" things happen anyway.

We confuse the illusion of control for security, but the most secure person is the one who has surrendered all idea of control and lives trusting in a benevolent universe. This is not a passive state where we are at the mercy of any external forces, it is more an empty state where we can still make choices and then whatever happens happens.

Peace

[A human Being]

Originally Posted by iamthat

We confuse the illusion of control for security, but the most secure person is the one who has surrendered all idea of control and lives trusting in a benevolent universe. This is not a passive state where we are at the mercy of any external forces, it is more an empty state where we can still make choices and then whatever happens happens.

Beautifully put.