Spiritual Superhighway

Spiritual Traveler: Love God/Light

For the spiritual traveler, the entire journey can be summarized in 2 words 'Love God.'  For those who have an aversion for the word or name 'God' substitute 'Light.'  This injunction and way of being is the Path of Unity.

Remember, this path is one of extreme simplicity and much complexity, because the question arises as how to reach this point of realization? That is the journey . . .

Love is not earned it is Bestowed or Given.

O spiritual traveler, ponder this mystery, and experience the love in your heart; which is the core of your being. For it is love which sets the heavens in motion and it is love which gives you life. This energy of love is the basis for everything. SB

Spiritual Traveler: Beginning- A Coming Together of Factors

In order for the traveler to have a spiritual realization that is powerful enough to set them upon the path to enlightenment, there must be a confluence of essesences.  In traditional Sufi terminology, this coming together of factors is often described as 'at the right time, in the right place, with the right people.' 

Often, because of personal excitement and enthusiasm, the traveler wishes to rush this occurence; however, to bring this experience of personal realization on prematurely can cause disruption in the life and be harmful. The full nature of this experience, is markedly different that other previous experiences; it is physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual- all at once. This shifting and eruption of consciousness, where the spiritual consciousness rushes forward, is enough to change and alter the traveler's life. Prior to this point, there was nothing like it; not even romantic love, while extremely powerful, over whelming and gripping, was not as powerful, because it did not involve- fundamentally -the dimension of spirit.

Across the years, this maturity of personal understanding has had many descriptions: such as the ripening of the grapes on the vine; St. Paul falling to his needs, as he accepts the Christ on the road to Damascus; or as St. John of The Cross has decribed, 'as a log on fire that has finally dried out all its moisture;  the heat and gasses reach such a point, that there is both an internal and external explosion of heat, energy and flames.'

In my own case, this eruption of understanding, occurred in the presence of the Master, seated with other students in an office at work; through question and answer, all of my intellectual questions about the nature of man's existence, inhumanity to man, searching, pain and joy, religious intolerance and war, came together in the Light of spiritual understanding. There was a reason for all of this suffering and joy; it involved Love- the Love of a Heavenly Father for his/her children; on one level, all of this pain and suffering pushed the traveler to ask the question- why?  So that, the Light of the Universe could answer it personally, in a wave of Loving joy, tenderness and personal Caress.

Without the friction or resistance of life, we would not push further; all of this struggle was a preparation for the moment of understanding and knowledge; which came across my consciousness like a wave of energy that was joyful, loving, celebratory and supremely calm; and connected me to everything in the universe. This joyful spiritual energy lifted me up in my seat and tossed me about and carried me through externity.

Suddenly, I understood everything about my life, riding this wave, I was caressed, protected, and internally assured that nothing permanently harmful could ever happen to me. All my searching, suffering, loneliness, frustration, and anger were a preparation for this moment of complete understanding; where I experienced this coming together of factors, in an unending wave of spiritual love; which emanated from within me, through me and beyond me, all at the same time.

This universal caress of understanding, cannot be earned, it must be Bestowed- like the mother caressing her newborn in the morning sunlight. This caress is freely Given, and is offered out of love, when the traveler is ready. Our tradition maintains: "Ask and it shall be Given. As you take one step toward God, God takes 10 steps toward you."  SB

Spiritual Traveler: Where To Begin?

Personal Realization or Spiritual Awakening. The spiritual journey begins in earnest when the traveler realizes they are already Traveling. Because this spiritual journey is one of directed consciousness, the traveler must come to the place, in their own life and mind, when they are making purposeful, guided decisions about what they think and do; this purposeful direction of consciousness results in increased spiritual capacity and experience.

This process of realization and awakening is much like the young boy who likes to play baseball; everyday after school he meets his friends- they play catch, hit the ball, and run around the bases. Then, one day, the opportunity arises to join a team that competes in the local league; our aspiring ball player, consciously makes a decision that he wants to be part of this team, and will work hard at improving his skills to become the best player possible. When he joins the team, he is given skill building exercises, attends longer practice sessions and must learn something about strategy and team play. In time, through a combination of factors such as hard work, natural ability and coaching, he becomes a more complete ball player.

For the spiritual traveler, the process is similar. Whether we realize it or not this life is part of the great journey across the universe; and by Design it is fundamentally a spiritual journey. For it is spiritual energy that supports individual life and experience, the interplay of the stars, and all that occurs. The job of the traveler is to bring this reality and awareness into every day consciousness, by making personal decisions, based upon this spiritual reality.

The starting point is realizing you already are on a spiritual journey; and that you came from someplace and will one day return home. While you are here in this life, you can do any number of things, but you will have missed the essential point, unless you work to bring this spiritual realization into full consciousness, every moment of the day. SB

Question for Dr. Bitkoff- 11/20/08- Group Potential

Question: From everything I've read there seems to be some kind of agreement between many teachers that a group of people is necessary for real progress to be made. I want to emphasize this because I understand the teaching can take many shapes and isn't something stagnant, but this point has been stressed again and again (in addition to disregarding externals, etc.) Can one really be taught on his own? Isn't a group supposed to be a 'mirror' for the disciple, in addition to other factors? Thanks again and have a great day. R.

Answer: Hi R.-

In all learning there is a sequence of concepts/ideas, different experiences, and acquisition of skills. Also, life is both a singular and collective effort. Consider a basebal team, with different players and multiple talents; it is rare that a team combines all the variables, in the correct order, to put together a championship season. Similarly, in a regular every day work situation, in my experience, there have been few work teams, because of the people's combined energy involved, that were a joy to particpate in and who did an excellent job.

One of the capacities of the spiritual master is the ability, through the baraka of the path, of combining, harmonizing different people's energy in a 'work' or teaching situation; in order for this to occur, it must be 'the right time, with the right people, and in the right place.' This in Sufi terminology is sometimes called, a confluence of essences.

The energy or impulse operating in such a situation, super charges the learning possible; our teacher used to call this path, when it was happening, the superhighway to God: the most efficient spiritual method possible to accomplish in one life time, what ordinarily took many life times.

Now, keep in mind before anyone can become a good member of a team, they must work on their own skills and abilities; they must be a 'mature' player and at certain times be able to suspend their personal needs; in spiritual terminology, this capacity in part is called, learning how to learn.

The traveler must have among other things, the correct attitude and capacity to suspend ordinary feelings and desires which manifest as greed for things of the spirit.

Now, when people come together in a 'work' group, the current which passes through them is 'electric,' making impossible things possible.

In Shah's books, he answers these things; but you have to look for these answers and understand what you are reading. Most people are too blocked by personal desire and fear, to understand what they are reading and progress, eventually, profiting from such a situation.

Peter, Paul and Mary in 'The Wedding Song' sing about this coming together of energy. "Whenever 2 or more of us gather in His Name, there is Love; there is Love." The combined energy of people working together can change the planet; that is why there is agreement among the Masters, that this potential is part of our higher destiny. SB

Question for Dr. Bitkoff- 11/29/08- Knowledge vs. Belief

Question: Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question that's been lingering in my mind.

I am interested in the Sufi Path, made aware to me by the books of Idries Shah.  One difficulty, I am having with the path is the idea of the Beloved-something, or some entity that is out there that loves us, or wishes to be loved by us.  I guess the concept seems so foreign to me (I am agnostic) I find it difficult to accept. I believe in the idea of loving others, of people, and even existence. I believe love is a powerful force.

But the idea of the 'Beloved'- or a conscious creator, for that matter-remains quite alien to me. I'm not against the idea; I just feel I have never experienced it to feel it is real.

And thus I wonder if learning Sufism is closed to someone like me? I feel there is so much value to the teachings, but that I cannot pursue them sincerely because my lack of belief. Thank you. S.

Answer: Hi S.

The Sufi Path has been called many things; in relation to our discussion: the Path of the Heart. Now, what exactly does this mean?  In the main, that is for the spiritual traveler to figure out and experience. The lover, i.e., spiritual travelers, do not say, I believe there is a God (Light, Life Force, Supra-Normal Energy), they say, I know there is a God/Beloved because I have experienced this. Keep in mind, the Suf Path is advanced spiritual learning . . .

In this journey, mind asks the question (you mean there is a Beloved that loves me?) that only the heart (organ of perception/spiritual nature) can answer. This question is answered through direct spiritual experience and contact; this is the point of the question; and the point at which you are now; asking the question.

You are confused and worried, and are not able to go further because you are seeking the answer in a form (every day consciousness- something my mind can figure out and understand), that can only be answered by another part of your consciousness (spiritual nature, perception or intuition).

In this discussion words are approximations, and our desires/wanting while useful in the sense they push us forward to inquire and find an answer, must be pushed aside, for a time, so another part of our consciousness may step forward and operate. On questions such as this, inquiring with the rational mind, after a point, blocks the other levels of consciousness from operating.

The term Beloved is a traditional usage and in my own training we substituted the term the Light; we were shown this energy and how to perceive it.  It is already inside of us and once we experience this primal energy, through the intervention of the Master, who directed the Light (extra amounts) upon our hearts, we knew the object of the journey and that we were loved and because we were loved our primal energy was love. This was experienced- not thought out; the traveler talks about gaining a glimpse (an aspect) of the Beloved.

Obviously, we are talking about spiritual experience; early on, most of us have had foretastes of this sort of experience. A sense of knowing about sopmething and it occurs, or an experience of connectedness to every living thing, or looking at a sunset and realizing/knowing there is something that is Giving Form to all of this.

Now, I will ask you a question: Have you ever been in love? How did you know you were in love? Was it something you believed or thought out? In part, there was some thinking it out, however the real knowing was different; it was an energy, experience, connectedness that went beyond words. Also, there are different forms of love; the love of a mother for a baby; the lover for his/her beloved; a grandparent for their grand child. While all is different, each is connected on an inner level to something grander. That is what the traveler seeks; the Source of all of this; which the mystics tell is is a Loving/Knowing Energy that is our Souce.

Now, how do you get past the point at which you are locked? Ultimately, that is between you and the Unseen Forces; because in this journey- you are both question and answer.

However, if I might, here are 2 suggestions. First, put aside your interest/desire in having spiritual experience or finding out the answer to your question; presently, this desire is blocking you. Second, ask the Light to lead you forward and provide the learning that is required to help make you a better servant; serving both your higher destiny and the higher destiny of the universe. Do this twice a day; morning and evening for 30 days and see what happens. This asking or prayer serves as a receiver pulling toward you, what is required.

A simple offering (for 30 seconds) such as: O Life Giving Energy (O Lord, O Earth Mother), help me in my journey through this world so I might understand, serve, and become One with the higher destiny. Help me to surrender to Your Will, and the evolving higher destiny of the Universe. Help me to understand and experience who I am so I might better serve. Thy will be done.

In the evening, you might want to shower and say this before going to sleep. In the morning, just before you start your day. Keep it simple; don't overdo this. You may repeat your prayer, throughout the day, as the spirit moves you. However don't over do it. Try it; see what happens. Perhaps, you might receive that which you seek?

I hope I have answered answered your question; if not, feel free to contact me. Try this approach; what do you have to loose? This approach is a very, very, old one. SB