Transformative Spirituality

There within ourselves, we finally find the most profound, the most meaningful, and the most important discovery any human being can make. Within ourselves we find our deepest self, our true Self, and recognize that we are not only more than we imagined but more than we can imagine.  We see that we are creation of the sacred, intimately and eternally linked to the sacred, and forever graced and embraced by the sacred.

- Roger Walsh, from Essential Spirituality

Last Sunday evening UCOD hosted a screening of Dalai Lama Renaissance films, Pts I & II. The experience was more intimate and moving than I imagined it would be.  Even though I had seen the first film several times before I was nonetheless profoundly moved again, as I witnessed the transformative power of His Holiness' deep and resolute commitment to spiritual Truth.  

We live in a conflicted world where deeply embedded religious ideologies have become battle lines and radical fundamentalism stands against mutual respect, dialogue and human compassion. As I heard the Dalai Lama express his unwavering concern for the welfare of the Chinese people, the country responsible for the near destruction of the Tibetan culture and the death of thousands of monks, and his own exiled existence, I was awe struck by such amazing compassion.  In that moment I could see that such radical compassion rooted in the perennial perspective which recognizes the spiritual essence in every person on this planet, is the greatest and perhaps single hope of creating a world that works for all. It is that field that the Sufi poet, Rumi described as, "a field beyond ideas of right and wrong" where we could all meet. This field is a place in the heart where there are no walls to separate us. It is the single chambered heart of Oneness, where there is recognition of our common essential nature that harmony arises naturally and effortlessly.

This recognition of our deepest and truest Self, is the crown jewel of spiritual practice. It is not however necessarily the effect of religious ideas and practices, which are often rooted in beliefs and behaviors that are externally focused.  It remains however as the central message at the heart of every religion stemming from the mystical experience of its founder.

It is the greatest of discoveries because it is the one and only true satisfaction to all that we seek for and long for in our life. So how do we get there?

For the next seven weeks we are going to explore 7 spiritual practices at the heart of the world's spiritual disciplines as outlined in Roger Walsh's book, Essential Spirituality, The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind.  Our purpose will be eminently practical as we enter into the practices that can move us out of our seeking, craving, troubled minds into the realm of our true nature, (Christ or Buddha nature, or Atman selves).