So, with New Years just a few days away, perhaps some of you are outlining your resolutions for the New Year. Most of us forecast what we need in our lives, put an action plan into place and try our best to stick with it throughout the year. Ah yeah. That resolution usually lasts until February!

So this year, why not try something new? How about instead of making resolutions, you contemplate the following 2 questions: 

Are you on a spiritual path (not a dogmatic path)?

And, if you are on a spiritual path….Why are you?

Dogma does not engender spirituality, although they can be merged. Ritual does not define spirituality either. Any “religion” that is self-serving, or only serving a select group, is not spiritually based.  Jesus, a Jew, loved all…not just those who followed Judaism or Christianity. He was patient, kind and compassionate to all men, women and children regardless of their affinity.  

The second question is my main focus of this Blog article. Why did you begin a spiritual quest? My teacher Jeffrey Yuen, once spoke of how in ancient China; many people who entered monasteries and covenants did so because they had a really crappy life (my words not his). Their lives where outlined by sadness, rejection and abandonment. They entered the retreat so hoping that they would come out with some newfound healing and abatement of their suffering through divinity. Obviously with that perspective, in time, one can become “mad at God” if the cessation of suffering is not fulfilled.

Many people do the same in modern times. Are you seeking becoming spiritual because of your weakness and in turn bringing your weakness to a spiritual life? Or, are you a seeker because you want to bring your strengths to the spiritual world?

Most seekers doing so out of their weakness and think of a return vs. what they can contribute. In order to be a contributor to the spiritual path, one must come to terms with the humanness of their perceived fallacies and shortcomings or at least come to know them through cultivation.

Instead of choosing to come to know the holiness and divine within themselves, the novice perpetually looks external for their salvation and answers. They are not comfortable with themselves and/or their affliction (we all have some affliction - no-one is exempt).

One should seek a spiritual life because it has something to teach you. The Intern works to understand themselves through cultivation through non-biased eyes. As you come to understand and know yourself and your true nature, you thereby come to know God.

If you are interested in becoming an Intern, please see the website www.formlesstaoism.com