Spiritual understanding is uniquely different from worldly wisdom.
It grows within us as we understand true values. These values are far from the unquestioning acceptance of the ways of our world. The material aspect of mass thought forms, words and actions seldom lead the soul to spiritual understanding.
The roads are different. Blind thinking, blind obedience to thoughtless repetitive words and the blind enactment of thoughtless action has brought on immense imitation and limitation.
To cross this hurdle, we need the help of spirit.
Spirit first helps us to know the meaning of love.
It begins with the learning that we can safely start creating a balance between our thoughts and our feelings. This is where we will likely observe a hurdle.
Thoughts travel even faster than the speed of light. They need to be reined in so that we can create space for balance. Harmony between the feelings of our heart and the thoughts of our mind is accomplished only when we make room for our feelings to fill in more space.
The heart must be given more range than the mind.The ramblings of the mind must be reined in.
This is only achieved through the power of love.
The road is strewn with the pebbles of the mind and yet it is washed daily with the tears of our heart. As we continue to wash our old pathway, we renovate it all the time! We are washing away with love the impurities we had held inside for way too long!
It is this practice that leads to self-dedication.
For those among us who are prone to visit temples frequently,we realize the same energy is within our love in the heart.
As we hold fast to this understanding,our spiritual understanding awakens.
It is only when we understand our own true nature as divine beings that we can understand and lovingly stand by our families with a fullness of heart and spirit.
The following story illustrates this fact in an awesome way.It is from my memory of the wonderful documentary film, March of the Penguins.
Penguins can swim, but they choose to walk.
They walk hundreds of miles to where the snow fields are strong,so that they can continue the sacred lineage of procreation like their forefathers.
Penguins are born under the most severe conditions and grow into fledglings only because of the loving acts of their parents.
When a female has chosen her partner during the mating season,she remains loyal.She keeps her new egg warm by holding it just over her feet,cocooned within her warm coat.She remains hungry for weeks on end,braving the ferocious winter winds and snow,in order to protect and nurture her precious egg with the warmth of her entire being. She stands like a silent sentinel all the way.
After several weeks, she knows it is now time for her to go seek nourishment and replenish her energies.Her devoted partner who has stood by her all along,is now ready to act as caretaker.
Ever so carefully she transfers the egg to his warm feet and body..She is now ready to begin her walkathon into the snowfields,heading for the waterfront with the other young mothers.The much needed food will help keep them alive and sustain their babies.
The dedicated father waits long and patiently for her return to entrust the egg once again to her nurturing care.Each father penguin stands huddled with hundreds of other emperor penguins,as one body, holding the warmth within their group! This is an awesome lesson in oneness.
The females return well nourished and take over their task.Some of them have been taken by the ravages of natural predators and some of them will see their babies taken too. It is the survival of the fittest always.
The males, having done their duties with exemplary devotion,now leave to replenish their energies. They held fast to their priorities.
I see this as the most precious example of infinite patience and understanding. What perfect orchestration!
As the time comes for each egg to hatch, tiny mouths reach up to their mother's to receive life giving nourishment from her throat. Predators and blizzards pose critical moments for these precious new lives. It is a birth into understanding and accepting severity with trust.
Their lives unfold Some are taken away by the prevailing harsh conditions.Their mothers stand bereft, forlorn. A life lesson for the bravest! The new fathers return well -fed and it is a happy reunion for many.
The babies grow sturdy and set out towards the waters. All is in perfect order and the cycle begins all over again!
A saga of courage, competence and fortitude unfolds in the face of constant trials! A pattern of strong, firm links with the Source is forged.
Penguins are trail blazers who act upon intention and create lives which are worthy of emulation by man -- free from ill-will, hostility, anxiety, affliction and criticism.
What we learn from nature's patient understanding, we learn for all time!