What is my Spiritual Ideal?
D.R. Lawrence, BA
"First, know thy ideal-spiritually, mentally, materially. Not so much as to what you would like others to be, but what may be your ideal relationships to others! For he that is the greatest is the servant of all-as the law of cause and effect."
Edgar Cayce Reading 1998-1
Regardless of our path or idea as to what we call God/Highest good, our direction, goals and ideas can be scattered by the winds and storms of daily living. Many feel unsure as to what they should be doing, what their purpose is, or how they should react to a certain person or situation. Many of us are not aware of the "ideal" that is presently at the helm of our consciousness. Sure, we can say I believe in this or that. However, something may cross our path daily and something goes off inside us. Bang! That belief just became null and void as we explode into anger or fear.
From a cognitive perspective, our thoughts and ideals are part of a pattern that influences our emotions and experiences. These are triggered by like or similar situations. If we have problems, concerns, stagnation, or frustrations in our life, then we can usually relate it to a negative thinking bias. Here there is a tendency toward looking for the worse in a situation, event, or person. These are usually learned patterns of thinking that were reinforced time and time again from our families, social groups, and experiences that taught from a fear-based mentality. They rarely are relative to our true "spiritual ideals", but more specifically in direct opposition to them.
So, how do we determine and work with our "spiritual ideal"? First, we need to determine what our spiritual ideal is. In other words, what is the highest ideal or spiritual quality you desire to attain? This can be different for every individual. For some, it might be the example established by Jesus – "let the mind that was in Christ be also in you." For another, this could be a concept such as, "divine love." Based on your own spiritual core values (spiritual core beliefs will be explained in more detail in next issue), you will determine the path to motivate and guide you. Once you have established a beginning spiritual ideal, you are ready to begin.
An exercise I have seen utilized in addiction treatment can be useful here. Instead of Higher Power though, we will use the term "spiritual ideal". Take a sheet of paper and make three columns labeled:
1. Spiritual Ideal
2. Mental Ideal
3. Physical Ideal
In the first column you list that which you have determined is your spiritual ideal – your motivation for what you believe is the highest spiritual attainment. In the second column, list the mental attitudes and thoughts that would guide you toward that attainment. For example, let’s say that you put the concept of "divine love" for a spiritual ideal. Then you might list mental attitudes such as compassion, openness, and patience in the mental attitude column. Finally, you list in the physical those actions and activities that you feel will lead you or build toward the attitudes you listed.
Sound simple? If done correctly this isn’t a one-time exercise, but is a fluid, growing and ever-changing day-by-day exercise. As we decide to do any inner work, things appear to come forward in a synchronicity type fashion to assist us in learning these concepts and ideals. From this, our understanding should grow and that which we understood will take on new nuances. Also, understand that anytime you stir a stew that has been sitting for awhile, all the sediment will rise to the top. It is similar while stirring the pot within. Those negative ideas and situations that are tucked away inside will tend to rise to the top of our consciousness for exploration and potential reframing that is more aligned to our spiritual ideal.
Metaphysically speaking, it is believed that "thoughts are things." As we reframe our actions and attitudes to be more aligned with a positive regard to all, then we will see the beginning of a new and glorious journey. Good Luck and peaceful journeys!
