I was contemplating what spiritual progress is and came to some thoughts with little conclusions.
We are all on individual journeys and are each at different stages in our lives. Some of us are old, some of us are young, some of us come from poverty, some of us come from wealth, some of us are educated, some of us are not educated, some of us are have wealth, some of us lack wealth, some of us have many spiritual insights and some of us lack spiritual insights.
The crudest definition of progress is: a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage
Movement is defined as: the act of passing from one place or position to another.
So I would think that spiritual progress cannot be defined by our current wisdom or knowledge but rather can be described as a process.
Process can be defined as: A systematic series of actions directed to some end. A continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner.
I like this concept of “continuous action” as it appeals to me.
My question is: Why do we humans so often focus on the position rather than on the process?
We humans hold strongly onto specific positions rather than following the movement.
Note 1: This is just random babble and reflections (there is no point to it).
Note 2: I am asking myself these questions
Note 3: I am not attacking other beings.
Thank you for this question, which is actually the predicator of the great insight that in the great process of spiritual transformation, it’s the journey, not the end or the goal, that matters.
Anyway, it’s a bit of an existential predicament to think in terms of concrete positions like mile-markers in a road or notches on a yardstick, isn’t it? When, actually, time stops for no one, and none of us stops for time.
These are all excellent questions and observations, thank you.
The goal to our spiritual progress, I believe, is the development of heavenly virtues, such as love, creativity, justice, wisdom, compassion, service to humanity, and the like. There are many ways to attain these, but it helps to have exemplars to emulate, and I know that prayer and meditation are helpful. Equally important is being aware of these virtues and practicing them.
The “goal”, really, is perfection, and so is an unattainable goal which we should work toward, but will never reach. How can you measure your position on the path toward perfection? You really cannot! But you can ask yourself at the end of each day, “Was I more patient today than yesterday? Did I show more love in my actions? Did I consider my words before I said them? What new, more virtuous response can I develop to the sorts of situations where I reacted negatively?”
“O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.”
