An Average Person's Life

In the case of the average person, ignorance of spiritual identity, egoism, attachment, aversion and clinging to things and people in life are constant and sustained. This is happening and appears as normal because everyone for the most part is following the prompting of the subconscious based desires.

If any part of an average person's life or material standing is threatened, the typical response is fear without any reflection. The idea is to intercept these feelings when they arise, resist them and substitute the fear with feelings of love, self-discipline and generosity. In other words, to be free this lifetime requires vigilance and effort. If you become lazy, forgetful and are not consistent, the old habits are revived.

As you grow stronger in your determination, afflictions become weaker and dormant because you are no longer responding to them. Constant discipline results in a state of equanimity, which cannot be disturbed by such promptings. No one can achieve this state of mind for you. It takes constant attention, patience with your ego and a deep love for your spirit. It can be done.

Looking at Suffering

Although Jesus suffered, he did not have to. He chose his path. The path happened to be during a time of great spiritual ignorance and turmoil. His choice came from an inner well of deep understanding. He understood that the spiritually ignorant live in fear, despise change and resist responsibility for their own actions. He knew that the common energy was barbaric and that barbarians kill. That was his sacrifice. To place his sublime consciousness in a field of muck and mud.

Suffering is not required by law to evolve although that is the typical program most souls choose. Understanding truth and being the light is the answer. Through deep understanding, compassion, discernment, unlimited possibilities and a love for the creative act of simply being who we are molds the thinking mind so it may receive truth and digest it correctly. The thinking part of the mind becomes a receptable for unconditional love and infinite wisdom.

From the human point of view, I am well aware of the challenges that exist for souls who have attained a measure of inner peace and have already awakened love, goodness and balance within. We watch suffering. Those whom we love may be neglectful of personal consciousness or have ongoing disorder in their lives. It is then that we must train our own mind to be compassionate but yet detached. Everyone is not on the same time table to develop and control his or her senses and experiences. If you live in this type of situation, focus on your own center remembering that you too had to learn through effort how to achieve and sustain a state of equanimity as your initiation into Buddha or Christhood.