Thursday, September 07, 2006

Instant Oatmeal, Instant Coffee, Instant Gnosis

Something I'm encountering from those just beginning the spiritual path is a feeling of impatience. I want enlightenment now. They work, intellectualize, compute information, write essays, create understandings, and even believe it's there...but they just lack the experience.

In short, it's impatience they struggle with. This is not through any fault of theirs, it's just a result of society. Pressed on by today's standard of fast food, instant coffee, grocery store express lanes, and everything in between, these poor fellows just don't stand a chance while remaining in this mindset.

The problem seems to be rationalization. Too much intellectual work, not enough patience with emotional control.

In order to proceed, stop pushing, start relaxing, and keep waiting. Impatience is another archon that prevents spiritual maturity. To force something on a rational level is to miss something on the experiential side. The way to the other side of the bridge is through emotional control. Balance yourself, your emotions, and above all else...be patient.

Where the will is, the way follows.

Peace.

2 Comments:

At 10:39 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In ceremonial magick circles, this kind of things is called "lusting for result", and is one of the commonest "symptoms" present in most magicians. Obviously it's not restricted to ceremonialists, and is just a part of the human condition - most people want to "freedom" and "enlightenment", but aren't prepared to work for it. Even those who are will be tempted by "instant gnosis" and the like, which is usually just a pathway to delusion.

I added your journal to my "Gnostic Blogs" links, btw. Some good stuff here - keep it up.

-D

 
At 11:18 AM, Blogger Joe Daher said...

Exactly, my point. Delusion can add to falsely held "knowledge" and can lead to all sorts of tripe and "balderdash" to be claimed as "gnostic." This, I think, is where most of the "new age" movement derives its own "gnostic" definition.

I appreciate the reading, comments, and the link!

Keep coming back, friend.

- Joe

 

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