in-ner adj. 3. Of or relating to the mind or spirit: "Beethoven's manuscript looks like a bloody record of a tremendous inner battle." - Leonard Bernstein
Literally, an inner journey is a spiritual journey. It is a new frontier which all humans must face. It is a pilgrimage that each of us must make. Many have been on a spiritual path since childhood, whether they realize it or not. Many adults become aware of this journey with discussions of mind, body and spirit. They may participate on topics such as personal growth and psychology, health and healing, living and dying, science and spiritual development. These could be heard on the radio, TV, at church or even in a business forum or newscast.jour-ney n. pl. jour-neys 1. a. The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip. b. A distance to be traveled or the time required for a trip
What was once considered "alternative," now has become mainstream. Somehow, the listener feels enriched by the depth and passion of these intimate and authentic conversations. They are encouraged to take what makes sense and leave the remainder behind.
When such a person begins to seriously reflect what was heard and discussed, these insightful and mindful reflections will eventually cause a change in thought, attitude and behavior through a dramatic shift in values, world view, or way of living. This is the beginning of their spiritual awakening and self-knowledge. It provides an opportunity to live by choice and design, rather than by chance and circumstance.
We, as a race, are at the crossroads of humanity's evolutionary moment of truth. We face a crisis of consciousness, and the next step of evolution is an inner one - not an outer one. Everyone goes through two journeys on earth: one is our outer life - our family, profession and so on - and the other is our most inner, private and emotional life. No one sees or feels what is going on within us. In many lives, there are much disappointment and pain, both physical and emotional. People feel frustration, resentment, anger and fear. Sometimes, even worthlessness. All the negativity people keep inside makes them ill.
The famed 20th Century psychiatrist, Carl Jung, spoke of the super-consciousness which links every human being. Each thought, feeling, emotion and attitude are all added together, literally on one big scale. A song title from the 1950's says, "Let There Be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me."
If we are to change the world's consciousness, we must first begin with our self. We must discover what we are, what we are doing here and where we want to go. Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love, the tragedies, failures, endings and depressions that make our life so unique.
What we will find, as we enter into our own, deeper life experience, from a non-judgmental point of view, is our own soul. Connecting to this higher self, benefits us and society. Feeling connected and attached are powerful forces for a healthy, loving and happy life. Some transformations are quick. Others take longer. People everywhere need to dump the heavy emotional and mental baggage that burdens them like a millstone around the neck.
When someone embarks on their Inner Journey, s/he begins the exploration of human consciousness, in its evolution to a higher, purer state, by listening to their inner self. This will ultimately reveal the divine within each of us. It is a chance to obtain profound personal experiences and freedom. Freedom from the negative experiences and programmed feelings of the past; freedom from negative and false beliefs which prevents them from achieving what they desire in life.
During their Inner Journey, these old patterns of pain and unhappiness are released along with other worthless burdens. The only side effects of this self help is learning to love yourself, a richer, fuller, and more abundant life.
Some people may have a life changing experience such as cancer. This profoundly influences a person's life. Such a disease can become a fountain of wisdom, influencing views and releasing a tremendous supply of inner power for sustaining relationships, work, and voluntary activities.
Other family dynamics ensue following the death and dying of a beloved. Healing can take years. Even with bereavement groups and counseling, there remain a lot of unresolved feelings, guilt and responsibility with the living. Getting back to work and right living will help remove oneself from these unconscious connections and bring healing to many of life's serious issues.
Simple unconditional love creates deeper connections with all those closest to them. Sometimes it takes a tragedy or death to bring to mind what is really important in their lives. The truth. The truth will set us free (1), if we let it penetrate the deepest portions of our soul.
I've read where there are four fundamental philosophies of living: The optimists and the pessimists most people already know about. The others two encompass those which remain neutral and don't create any waves (just get along) and those who Celebrate.
I believe in being a positive thinker which makes me an optimist 99% of the time. I also believe that life should be celebrated every day. Life is precious. It is not something to take for granted, abused or wasted. We are awesome beings! It is written that man is created a little lower than the angels (2). We are powerful beings with a capacity to love, think and create. The only time we have is in the present moment. Let it be positively and constructively used.
Meditation and contemplation are two ways to get in touch with one's spirit and inner truth. Each helps to keep people in the present moment and receptive to Spirit's inner voice. Here they are able to meet themselves and others along the way, and develop the inner strength to deal with all of life's challenges. We, as human beings, cannot escape the pain, sorrow and suffering of the world. Just look around and at third world countries. Many people lead lives of fear and uncertainty which seem impossible to escape.
We can, however, be a witness to the truth and take from the depth of our soul, comfort and healing. We can grow in self-awareness, commitment, openness, honesty, integrity, acceptance and shared values. We can embrace differences, handle conflicts and remain healthy in mind, body and spirit.
Communication does not need to come in with the clamor of fourth of July fireworks or a two-fisted fight. Pain, however, is a transforming vehicle, regardless of the source. When people become connected to their spiritual center, through prayer, psychotherapy, hypnosis, regression or other methods, things happen.
First, it helps us improve our relationship with Spirit. Whatever an individual's understanding of a supreme being, they will communicate and receive silently. Literally, s/he will be like Moses as he stood in front of the burning bush on Mount Sinai (3).
Where religion is a vehicle of walking side by side with God, spirituality is found at religion's deepest core. It is the love and intimacy of the creator in each and every one of us. It is a place of comfort, peace and power. It is what touches us with tenderness, gentleness and compassion. These are a very real part of each of us, regardless what may be expressed through thought, word and deed.
Spirit is not a facade we hide behind. Spirit brings out the best of humanity, the feelings, the emotions and power that spring from the very essence of us all. It is inner power. It is the power of knowing that you count, knowing that you have something to say and that it radiates.
As the great Jewish scholar, Rabbi Heschel, has often said, "religion at its best is filled with what he calls "kavanah," the Hebrew word for inside. It is where all of the outside rituals and symbols and pageantry fortifies what is truly on the inside - a person of power - a person who can love. That is what religion at its best is about.
All people everywhere seek a closer relationship with their creator, as they understand him/her to be. What we are called to do is to grow in our spirituality, and take back the responsibility of whom we are to God. We are created in the image and likeness of God (4). Spirit is as much a part of us as is the flesh that covers us."In him we live, move and have our being (5)." The clearer this becomes, the clearer we see that the path to this all important dimension of our life, which is allowing a loving God to be there with us through trial and tribulation.
Most people do the best they can with whom they are and the resources they have. They must remove the anger and resentment that may exist and learn to forgive. It is only through forgiveness that they can reduce the burdens they carry. If people come to an impasse, always needing to play safely, how are they ever going to reach out? All love is a risk. In all loving relationships there are no guarantees. There is a risk involved that is able to reach forward and say, "Even though this is not a sure thing, I care and I open my heart to you."
There is a close loving relationship with Spirit. In taking responsibility for the quality of our individual spirituality, we truly need to address this as individuals and as communities. Anger is an emotional response of perceived injustice. Violence in our society is the result of anger, which begins from the breakdown of the family system. Human problems are fundamentally spiritual problems. The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is the major concept taught by eight major religions (6). It can also be found in many other places.
If we treat each other with the respect, honesty and fairness we want to be shown, is this not love? Does it not fulfill the law, "love thy neighbor as thyself (7)?" Separation is caused by Power and Greed. Dogma does not heal the rifts created between people. It is the inner power and love from the core of our body temple that can heal.
An Inner Journey reveals different things to different people. We are all seeking and searching for our spiritual roots. We all seek inner change where peace and happiness lay buried beneath our vanity and ego. To deepen our humanity, we need to experience our spirituality. To do this we must live the truth. Although the journey is unique, there are signs along the way we all share in common.
The first is understanding what we are, our true selves - a spirit clothed by a physical body. This spark of life is a vibration of the creator, because we are made in Spirit's image and likeness. We see and feel a oneness with all things, everywhere, be it a sunrise or sunset, the song of a bird, a mother nursing its child or just the array of stars in the sky.
What we see is a reflection of our own beauty and power, the abundance and richness of life. It is our call of the divine light - the unconditional love we seek. Love is healing. Love is empowering. Love can free us from the fears and illusions of this world. Love can unshackle us from our fears and false beliefs (8).
Civilization as we know it today, tends to be less civilized than the aborigines. One bomb can destroy a city. It enslaves people by imprisoning them in poverty, despair and sickness. It removes the creativity and imagination of youth. Its leaders try to remove spirituality, self responsibility, create strife, undermine good, and instill fear. This is how they use their power and control over the people.
When individuals awaken to their spirituality, they awaken to a world of love, abundance and richness of all things, happiness and Inner Peace (9). The American Indians were in harmony with their divine essence. Everything was sacred. They respected the animals and the trees. Other cultures from around the world have also expressed a reverence for life - and still do.
Once people accept his truth of communication with the divine, they empower themselves. This is neither magic nor Voodoo. It is a fact. A single flame of light repels the darkness. Likewise, love overcomes fear and doubt. Have you never had a grudge that caused you more grief than the person to whom the grudge was over? Have you never felt the relief that comes by forgiving someone's transgressions?
Those in agreement with Spirit, Love or Divine Intelligence have a different vibration. They walk to a different drum beat. And some do miracles every day of their lives. They elicit smiles, give a kind word, maintain a positive attitude, encourage others, and help out where needed.
These people embrace Spirit as two lovers, each being loved and giving love. We are never alone. There is always a direct connection from us to Spirit. It is said that the longest journey is a straight line from the brain to the heart. It is here that humankind transforms itself and dances with the power of the universe.
As we live by the truth we experience daily, we see that mistakes, wrongdoings, pain and even suffering are opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. Because of the imperfection of our humanness, we must be gentle with ourselves. We must love and forgive ourselves as much as we do others. No person can love another completely until they first love themselves. It is through forgiveness that we release fear, guilt, shame, anger and resentment. It is through prayer, affirmation, belief and communication with Spirit that we are healed.
The daily practice of living in the present moment, releases ourselves of past and future doubts and fears. They are only nebulous illusions of what was and what will be. Neither exist and we should not bear their burdens. Every person needs to learn their lessens of the past and forget the experiences, heal and move forward. Each person needs to explore the possibilities of a future life with imaging, visualization and imagination. Then return to the reality of the present moment.
To live in the moment is to be in a state of full awareness. Reflect the input of your senses and life with each breath and heartbeat. Bless all the good you see and feel. Rejoice in life and celebrate each day as if it were your last. Let your love light shine.
Words are a powerful medium. Give words of praise, love, encouragement and approval. If you cannot say something positive, say it in a way that it doesn't sound like criticism. Be thankful in all things, great and small. Focus and live with divine love, which is the essence of your being.
Humankind may journey to the deepest parts of the earth and fly across the universe, yet we have only scratched the surface of the Inner Journey. It is a journey to the world within, where all knowledge is contained and power enough to serve everyone. It is a place where we pierce the curtain of reality and illusion. It is where we meet ourselves and other light beings whose only purpose is to guide us to a life of abundance, richness, happiness and Inner Peace.
Within the invisible existence of our mind, there is a power, stronger than anything imaginable. It can heal and nurture us. It can cause the manifestation of wonderful things to occur in our life. Each of us can link ourselves to this plane of spirituality through meditation, writing a daily journal or other media that does not destroy the body temple.
Mystics of the past often called upon the forces of nature to assist them. They knew that all life was interconnected. Each night, I listen to a bubbling spring on a CD before falling asleep. I let the relaxing sounds remove the chatter from my mind and unite myself with Spirit. Each morning, I let Spirit instill within me, the knowledge, strength and courage to meet the new day.
Allow yourself to grow and heal spiritually. See with your inner eye and listen with your heart. And at the end of your life, with honor and respect, you will know the oneness of eternity, with a peace that passes understanding.
To summarize what I have conjectured is this:
An Inner Journey is a Spiritual Adventure. It begins as soon as a person turns within from a conscious act such as prayer, meditation or contemplation. It may begin unconsciously when we isolate ourselves from the world from an illness or depression, and look inward.
Your mind is a meeting place where your higher self can empower you to personal growth to be all you can be. It begins by allowing a consciousness of Spirit be the beginning of every thought, feeling, and action.
It is as if you are returning home again for the first time to a place of unconditional love and support for all you do. It requires an appreciation for one of the greatest paradoxes: to let go and leave the security of our physical home in order to open ourselves to our spiritual home.
We begin by releasing all the emotional and mental blockages that have accumulated throughout a lifetime. These repressed feelings we call fear, guilt and anger. Is it no wonder people are so frustrated and dissatisfied with their lives?
Repression prevents people from achieving their heart's desire by constricting the flow of energy from within and without. Mental blockages are only beliefs that appear true because we believe them to be true. We accepted many of them as children, by what we saw, heard and experienced, without ever realizing the truth. They damaged the self esteem, made people feel unworthy and weigh down any potential for success.
These are barriers. By accepting them into their lives, people become prisoners within themselves. They block people from obtaining happiness. The time has come for all people to take control and rid themselves of the useless baggage they have been carrying for most of their life. No matter how deeply rooted they may be, their inner power can change them.
An Inner Journey can transform a person's views of the world, their environment and, most of all, themselves. Every problem has a solution. Each person's quest is to identify what it is and then remove it.
It does not matter what they did in the past; their subconscious allowed them no other choice because it was programmed to respond in a particular way. Loving yourself is a great way to begin. Soon, you will have a greater freedom of choice and Inner Peace. There will be no self sabotage from the subconscious. New opportunities will suddenly come into view. Each person's humanity will increase with understanding and compassion. This is the way of Spirit.
An Inner Journey allows an inner change to manifest itself outwardly into the world we live. The evolution of one's being, can range anywhere from a slow and arduous journey, to one that is quick and easy, and all combinations in-between. The Inner Journey requires as much patience as passion.
While everyone's path is unique, the Inner Journey is made up of definite stages, each stage being defined by a psychological challenge, which it presents, just as do myths and fairy tales from around the world. Jung's fourfold division of the psyche tend to be a most useful model. When a person begins the Inner Journey, dreams tend to focus first upon issues surrounding the ego (The "I" or conscious self). Then, the focus shifts upon shadow material (all that our conscious attitude rejects), followed by the inner feminine and masculine. Lastly, the Self (the central organizing and creative principle within the psyche).
All human beings have a natural wisdom within them! An inner power to change themselves from the inside out. P. F. Fisher, author of Two Steps Backward, has this to say about the Inner Journey:
"The process of self-discovery is a hard and exhausting one, for it is an active evolution of the person, of the soul. It is staring at the mirror of your being, confronting the dark side of who you are and challenging it. It is looking deeply into the eyes of your worst inner fears and rousing the passion from within to fight back those pervasive, crushing fears. It is, ironically, within this struggle, this confrontation, that you discover your true character, and ultimately the heart of your inner being. That is, who you are."
In a world that appears to be more uncivil and hostile, each of us need more than ever to bond humanity to its spiritual destiny. We are unique, yet nevertheless, the same, bonded with our collective selves and Spirit. We are more than flesh and blood. We are our thoughts, emotions and spirit. We need to unite and fight a growing front of oppression of personal desire and materialism, a state which holds us hostage to the physical world. It is the special spiritual qualities of purity, faith and love that make us human beings.
I offer no solutions for the Global crises that exist either today or tomorrow. However, I do know that as people take control of their lives and destiny, the consciousness of the human race changes as well. Where the heart wills, the impossible becomes only a state of mind.
I hope you will find something here to uplift you as you walk the road of your own Inner Journey.
In Light and Love
Lawrence,
November 2003
*1 Hebrews 2:7 || *2 Exodus 3:5-6 || *3 Genesis 1:26 || *4 Acts 17:24-28 || *5 Matthew 7:12; Matthew 19:16
*6 The Golden Rule (below) || * 7 Matthew 7:12; Matthew 19:16 || *8 "Love" by Emmet Fox (below) || *9 Signs of Inner Peace (below)
*6 The Golden Rule (below) || * 7 Matthew 7:12; Matthew 19:16 || *8 "Love" by Emmet Fox (below) || *9 Signs of Inner Peace (below)
The Universality of the Golden Rule in the World Religions All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1 Confucianism Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2 Buddhism Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1 Hinduism This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.Mahabharata 5,1517 Islam No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah Judaism What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.Talmud, Shabbat 3id Taoism Regard your neighbor's gain as your gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P'ien Zoroastrianism That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself.Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5 |
Love No disease that enough love will not heal, No door that enough love will not bridge, No wall that enough love will not throw down, No sin that enough love will not redeem... It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, How hopeless the outlook, How muddled the tangle, How great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough, You could be the happiest and most powerful being in the world... Emmet Fox |
Some Signs and Symptoms of Inner Peace
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