Suffering for Higher Vision

Everything in life comes at a cost. There is no reward without effort. In order to develop a new set of skills, one must develop a proper daily routine, which gradually develops new faculties; either physical, psychological, or spiritual.

In physics, energy is never created nor destroyed, it simply changes from one form to another; likewise, is the case for psychological development. Outdated stories about us and the world must be sacrificed in order for a new narrative to take form. The old stories of our past fade away and new chapters develop.

Esoteric Culture offers numerous training manuals which outline the process of personal story-making, or in psychological terms, our psycho-spiritual development. Through evaluating the various genres available on the market, one discovers a compatible system which is appealing to our current life circumstances. Regardless of the genre of psychology or philosophy which one chooses study, the main theme which propels transformations is suffering.  

The term for this process of intentionally propelling transformation—either physical, mental, or spiritual—is called asceticism. Mystics all over the world understand that through skillful integration of suffering, magic occurs. For example, Gotama Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree in India 2,500 years ago and didn’t move until he reached “enlightenment.” We can clearly state that he overcame suffering.

Our thoughts are expressed through our movement and actions in life; chaotic physical actions are a consequence of a chaotic mind. When movement is inhibited, speech becomes the expression of our mind; chaotic speech is a consequence of a chaotic mind. When speech and movement is inhibited—as in the practice of meditation—we are left with our mental thought patterns; chaotic mental thought patterns are a consequence of a chaotic mind (the heart). Jesus says,

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” (Matthew 12:35)

In other words, the mouth speaks what the heart feels.

Every tradition from around the world outlines the idea of different races of psychological states. There are those who operate at a proper mature level of human consciousness, and then there are those who imitate an animal level of consciousness. The Buddhist tradition presents five races in their Wheel of Life model. As we begin to consciously observe the world around us, we begin to differentiate between those who are awakening and those who are degenerating. This idea isn't presented as a judgment upon others, but as a distinction between different levels of awareness, which are based upon on a clear observation. There is no end to the depths of psychological degeneration, the mind can get to the point where someone may experience a living nightmare. Everyone has the capacity to become a saint in the higher realms or a demon in the lower.

Egyptian mythology and the fourth Gospel both contain the idea of a soul which has developed properly. The soul becomes light as a feather in the Egyptian myth, in John's Gospel, those with the “sign of the lamb” represent the ones who are admitted into the heavens. And for those who carry the “mark of the beast,” as in the fourth Gospel, or whose hearts are “heavier than a feather,” as in the Egyptian myth, will be thrown to the fires of damnation.

Just like the winds of nature can extinguish a small fire, they can also fan a flame. Through consistent practice of esoteric training exercises, one’s consciousness will develop, blossom, and shine brighter. But for those who neglect their daily spiritual exercises, consciousness will become dark and lose the spark for life that remains. On this point, the hidden meaning is grasped behind the biblical statement: “those who have more will be given, and those who don’t have, everything will be taken from them.” Daily psychological and spiritual exercises are vital for the well-being of our mind; our efforts are rewarded accordingly to our degree of commitment.

In meditation and esoteric training, a lower energy is immobilized (sacrificed) for a higher energy to arise; that is the essence of kundalini yoga. Sacrificing the lower animal nature for the higher divine human nature. Suffering and sacrifice is a catalyst for transformation; whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Inhibiting one area channels a higher state of awareness. For example, inhibiting speech allows thinking to be observed, remolded, and re-tuned to play in harmony with the universal laws of harmony. Another example of enhanced abilities through asceticism or an immobilized area, is that of a blind person who develops exceptional tactile sensations; or a deaf person who develops a keen sense for visual cues. Olympic athletes sacrifice their personal time and body to develop exceptional gymnastic abilities; they call it determination and commitment.

One the basis of these points, it becomes reasonable to conclude that in a time of personal crisis, is hidden the opportunity to grow. Challenges present an opportunity to acquire a new set of skills. Enduring and overcoming difficult situations is part of everyone's psychological development. And as mature adults, we are responsible for passing down a tradition which not only teaches the next generation to survive, but to thrive in the world, and advance human civilization.

Suffering is the great educator of mankind. The impulse for transformation arises out of a lack of meaning in life. When depression and loneliness arise, it becomes the catalyst for illumination. Isolation brings forth the realization that one no longer derives satisfaction from selfish consumption. A yearning arises in the soul for authentic meaning and connection.

The "secular" Buddhist Stephen Batchelor presents an alternate approach towards the “truth of suffering,” in Buddhist tradition. He proposes that suffering (dukkha) is to be acknowledged as a signal that something needs attention and reevaluation. Rather than the traditional Buddhist claim that “life is suffering,” he proposes that suffering is a situation in life that requires transformation.

Suffering arises naturally and doesn't need to be forced. We must allow the natural events of life to take place, and when a crisis arises, we properly apply the mediative applications and spiritual exercises. By simply allowing the rise and fall of thoughts to take place, without being caught in its story, a new narrative begins to take place. In meditation, the student learns to observe the rise and fall of the breath, which then transfers to the rise and fall of the troubled mind. When a tormenting feeling caused by tormenting thoughts arise, the meditator knows that everything that rises will fade away, just like the breath.

Experienced spiritual warriors will intentionally seek stressful situations which enhance their spiritual practice. But even for the experts, caution must be employed. The mind cannot be stretched beyond its natural capacity. Athletes get injured all the time for over-exertion. Great effort and diligence is required, but patience is the real key. The forces of nature are powerful and subliminal, they gradually develop behind the scenes of our conscious awareness. As long as we do our part, nature will take its course. The new-age motto is "trust the process."

The process of spiritual development can also become dangerous if not practiced correctly. The first lessons any system of transformation teaches is maturity, patience and humility. One may not be fanatical or immature when approaching the esoteric arts. Purification of the lower instincts is the foundations from which higher ascension grows. If the roots are strong the tree will bear good fruit, but if the roots are wicked the tree will bear bad fruit.

It’s possible to practice esoteric exercises and develop a psychosis, for the foundations were not properly set. For this very reason, eastern spiritual traditions reinforce the idea of finding a qualified teacher: a guru or master. Basic practices of mindfulness and compassion are simple enough to practice on ones own, but the higher forms of esoteric practices, such as the tantras, require a qualified teacher, for then you are playing with rocket fuel.

The mind is a double-edged sword. Approaching the psyche without patience and care will lead towards degeneration. We can observe many traditions and cults which develop a collective psychosis. Fanaticism and tribalism leads to violence and intolerance towards “outsider” groups. When force is demanded and imposed upon, hate, violence, and intolerance become the results. Compassion, humility, and patience are the safeguards for a healthy and natural evolution of consciousness.

If the negative passions of our lower animal instincts are not first purified, an intensification of the lower natures will gain dominance. Improper psychological training results in an opposite result of what is originally intended. Due to these kinds of cases, spirituality and religion have gained a bad reputation on the mainstream arena. Any idea which remotely resembles religion, is automatically dismissed; the baby is thrown out with the bath water. Throwing out systems of psychological development due to the manipulation of a few bad apples, has caused a great deal of confusion as to what the original function of spiritual training is supposed to accomplish. The paradox is that one cannot simply dismiss and not participate in religious rituals, for everything we do is a religious ritual.

We are all religious in some form or another. The fact that mainstream culture has not been properly trained or “initiated,” has caused a degeneration of our society. As previously stated, spirituality needs to be approached properly, and neglecting to engage the mysteries of mind qualifies as a mishandling the power of the mind. If one is not on an evolutionary path, by default, one is set on a degenerative path. Nothing in nature stands still.

All across the world, small groups are emerging which have realized the truth behind the illusions of the world. All these genres of spirituality are gradually developing movements, from which the new esoteric teachers of the world are arising; they are the infantry of the spiritual battlefield, paving the road which the rest of the world must travel. There will come a time when the world will no longer live in denial, and at that moment, the collective great work will begin.

From the school of suffering the soul is born and the spirit arises.