How To Gain The Whole World and NOT Lose Your Soul: Lose the Pride

Credit: Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura

We will not know the truth as to whether the orchid (bird) we see spreading its wings, above, is doing so innocently, or with the intent to display its beauty. With the human judgment we place on things, though, were this a human doing such an elaborate display, we'd think the person was being deliberately prideful. 

Having Pride and Not Having Pride are two sides of the same coin; they are both tricky.

Have too much... and be accused of egotism.

Credit:
 Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura 

Have too little or none...and be accused of being shameless, even slovenly.

Pride defined: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.  

Who among us does not want to have pride?

Without pride, we do sloppy work, because we simply don't care. We go about our days, too, without much purpose or direction. We dress without care and attention to ourselves.


So... we develop pride in ourselves. We seek the accolades from colleagues and others ...well...just because.

Credit: Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura 

As to our friends: who wants to walk up to "friends" you're ashamed of greeting? After all, our friends  supposedly are a reflection of ourselves, especially if we follow the old saying, "Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are."

Credit: Wildlife Nature

Our pride keeps us pumped up and often out on a limb with confidence in our own abilities. This is a great way to feel, especially if we truly are the "gods" so many claim. We want so badly to believe these teachings that tell us we can find and reconnect to this "god"  power within us by simply reaching in, and it'll be automatic. 

What these teachers don't tell you is that reaching in is just the start! 

If we're truly dedicated to the search for truth, we will discover that the journey is the way in. And it involves giving up illusions of Ego and our false self in order to reach and fully connect with this inner self.  

Even Jesus had to experience Crucifixion before Resurrection; Buddha tramped through the harshest terrain, with the courage to challenge death, in his search for Nirvana; Muhammad made his way through deep confusion and many desert years before finding bliss (and ultimately Jannah), and with Hinduism, the search for Atman to reach the Brahman state takes decades, if not a lifetime, of dedication.

PhotoCredit: Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura
The search for Nirvana is in the journey.

Throughout 2014 we focused on The 12 Powers within man on this blog, ranging from Will to Life itself. While developing these "powers" may help us succeed in our human endeavors, they do not automatically lead us to Wholeness. We can achieve much through confidence in our human abilities and pulling on our innate "powers." But without reaching in, then going deeper, to align with the truth of our being, we are building foundations on sand, not rock. 

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand." - Matthew 7:26

Like the prophets, we learn that it's the willingness to give up all and even have a fall from grace that allows for a closer walk with God. As we begin to fall, we become fully aware that  we will never reconnect back to our Souls from the lofty state of pride, fully supported by Ego.

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame...but with the lowly is wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2

"The gift" that many get from a seeming fall from grace is finding their true selves and true freedom.

Most of us assume that working hard got us to where we are today. We never knew of another part of us...much less a force within us that "doeth the work."

What force?

"To Bring the sublime into the mundane is the greatest challenge there is."                                          Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Alchemical Wisdom

Editor's personal photo of "The Impersonal Life."

"The Impersonal Life," scribed by Joseph S. Benner and first published in the 1920s, provides powerful insights about this other self.  We may know ourselves to be a personality with five senses.  On the inside, though, is the impersonal self:  

"I AM that innermost part of you that sits within, and calmly waits and watches, knowing neither time nor space; for I AM the Eternal and fill all space.

"I watch and wait for you to be done with your petty human follies and weaknesses, with your vain longings, ambitions and regrets, knowing that will come in time; and then you will turn to Me, weary, discouraged, empty and humble, and ask Me to take the lead, not realizing that I have been leading you all the time."

It may take extreme circumstances such as an illness, a death in the family, loss of a job or career, separation or divorce or other catastrophe for us to wake up to the truth within us. In our pain and in our loss, we may discover the fount of wisdom, compassion and truth lying within us. 

We awaken to truth!

Whatever circumstances cause us to wake up, when we do, we know life as we knew it is over. We will never be the same:

Making different choices from the heart of our Soul, we may find ourselves becoming more compassionate, caring, loving, giving, forgiving and generally operating with more conscious wisdom.

That's where we ultimately do wind up: in a place that gives us the "lowly perspective of the wise."

To get there, though, may take us through  "the forever"...
Through the darkest alleyways of our Soul as our stubborn pride does not easily give up ...
Nor does it take kindly, especially in the beginning, to hearing that all of our accomplishments over the years...were not due solely to our skills and abilities, 
but we were dependent upon how much we unknowingly exercised the power within us.

Which prideful Soul wants to hear that?

Credit: Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura. 
Humans certainly aren't amphibans...we want control over our lives!

Which prideful Soul wants to know that its success was not due to its own efforts?

Which prideful Soul wants to hear about the power of the "other?"

Where ever your pride may have taken you to date...
Whatever accomplishments you may have achieved to date...

Credit: Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura
Like the core of this beautiful Digitalis Purpurea, so do we have our core. It's our Soul.

Whatever purpose you may be planning to fulfill...
Whatever still lies ahead of you to achieve...

Begin to acknowledge the Truth of You!
Begin to look within for the Truth of You!

Don't lose what you have...because of something as nebulous...as pride!



You know those "friends" who supposedly are a "reflection of yourself," and the accomplishments you acquired? 

In time: you'll begin to see them as the illusions they are in the light of truth...
We only reflect the consciousness that we are to the world, and similarly, we attract people reflecting our values or consciousness. Change our consciousness, and our perspective on life changes. We also change the people with whom we have close association. 

 

One by one, consciously or unconsciously,  these people will have a tendency to disappear...as the ephemeral beings that they are....with the light of Truth. 

Enjoy the journey of discovery, there are countless blessings along the way.  
Namaste',
Che'