Myswizard

It occurred to me while I was in the midst of having a conversation with an old friend, how we often think of ourselves as spiritual beings, but neglect to think of ourselves as honest human beings. There are many of us on the planet who are on the spiritual path. This might have occurred as an epiphany, an idea, or just something that we had to do because it was within us. How little thought we gave to truth and honesty as we journeyed on this path with many highways.

There were many times on my own journey that I questioned my personal truth and honesty as it related to my spirituality, which was and still is of the highest importance to me. My practices, classes, readings, and personal endeavors never brought me to the place where I would question truth and integrity, until the last decade of my life. Even then, while questioning Truth was I willing to practice it fully? The answer was no.

So what of our spiritual journey and Radical Truth? Can we be spiritual and still be dishonest? Can we be kind, have integrous intentions, do our daily practices, but be selectively truthful and honest toward ourselves and others?

When we get together in groups, workshops, and other spiritual endeavors, we are and do think of ourselves as spiritual beings. Being spiritual however, is just a label. It’s the label we love to have fun with when being with other spiritual and like-minded people. We could also label ourselves nice and still be not so nice sometimes. If we were doctors we would still be doctors even if we were doing something else, wouldn’t we?

As humans we’re doing and being different things all the time. We label ourselves with our thoughts, religious beliefs, professions, duties, and our spiritual beliefs. The dichotomy lies within the content of our definition of spirituality, and the context of our lives. The spiritual tag we place on ourselves is arbitrary. Our spirituality becomes relative to where we place it within our lives and ourselves.

There is no half way between truth and non-truth. If I was being a good person and my intentions were of the highest, I fooled myself into believing that I was on the straight and narrow path to God. My epiphany was the realization that you can’t have it both ways. There is no such thing as having good intentions, but being selectively honest with yourself and others. There is only Truth or not truth. Selective truth is arbitrary and relative.

Relativism is never Truth. This is the one truth no one likes to hear. It is truth according to us, and as human beings we have no way of knowing Absolute Truth without help from Divinity. We need not practice kinesiology on ourselves to see how truthful we’re being. We absolutely know when we are not being honest. Humans have a tendency to go into denial over this, but those on the spiritual path cannot sweep this under the rug without the consequential karmic dust cloud which hovers over us.

Absolute Radical Truth is just that. It is Truth at all times to oneself and others. We need not worry about being honest to God, because we never fool God. The Universal Field of Intelligence which we call God, stores everything for all time and with an all-knowing of all that exists. So if we ever think that there is no one looking over our shoulder, we are just kidding ourselves.

Radical Truth and honesty have to be in place within ourselves if we are on the path to enlightenment. There is no one to fool, there is no past to hide, we have atoned, we have forgiven ourselves, and we continue on with Truth and honesty in our lives on our devotional path to God. It is not a better path, but just a different path. It is the rare high road we take with humility, integrity, willingness, intention, devotion, and love for all of humanity and God. ©Myswizard all rights reserved ‘05-’06

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Devotional Nonduality is a direct way to enlightenment. It uses the power of the heart and not spiritual ambition. Followers of Devotional Nonduality seek the “core” of spirituality for its own sake, knowing that the source of our own existence is within. It is the devotion to the essence of Truth itself. It’s founder and my teacher, Dr. David Hawkins, M.D., PhD. has comprehensively explained this state within all his teachings and writings, and in his book, “Devotional Nonduality”.

Students of Devotional Nonduality have meaningful practices that work for them, so I thought it would be a good idea to explain how it works in my life, as well as personal definitions and descriptions as paraphrased from Dr. Hawkins.

Devotional Nonduality is a new “sounding” paradigm of being in the world, but not a new way of being. Its relatives are Advaita and some forms of Buddhism, without the strict practice of meditation and the “void” being the ultimate reality. It’s a way to enlightenment through devotion to The Ultimate Reality of our existence, by means of the pathways of higher levels of consciousness. One doesn’t need to do fancy rituals or give up their life or life savings to it. It’s a relatively simple practice with huge implications.

Devotional Nonduality is a commitment to raising ones’ own level of consciousness through being “that” which you have the intention to become. It is devotion to God in the highest, through living life as a prayer. All positionalities, belief systems, ideologies, and conceptualizations must be surrendered. This is a major commitment necessary to becoming enlightened and cannot be taken frivolously. Therefore it is rare to be on the path to enlightenment.

The beingness to which I refer can be as simple as practicing kindness to a fault everyday and without exception. If I find myself not being as kind as my practice has maintained, I stop and witness what my ego is being (by being more contemplative). Due to the fact, we still have to live in the world, as long as we are willing to witness the ego and surrender it, our intrinsic level of consciousness doesn’t vary.

Contemplation (recommended by Dr. Hawkins), is a way of being in the world. In order to practice contemplation, one needs to witness the world in a wider mode of context vs. content, and not get “caught up in the drama” of the momentary stories of ones’ life. Through living within a state of contemplation, non-attachment can be maintained while still enjoying the fruits and pleasures of material existence. The neediness of lesser egoic states tends to disappear. Dr. Hawkins often reminds his students that it’s not the ego itself that is the problem, but the juice, power or excitement we get out of its’ “pitfalls.” He also advises to avoid negativity rather than opposing it. Precious time is wasted resisting that which doesn’t calibrate above the level of integrity. These are the levels such as anger, apathy, desire, grief and all the negative aspects of lower consciousness discussed in Dr. Hawkins books and lectures. One cannot change that which isn’t ready, so avoid “the lower realms” and remain in the light.*

Practicing Truth (Absolute Truth) through devotion to Divinity is the highest commitment of Devotional Nonduality. Within my own daily practice, I like to call this Radical Truth. This is living truth everyday without exception. It does not mean to be radically opinionated. Truth overcomes opinions as one climbs the scale of consciousness. Radical Truth is also radical honesty. When I am confused I state my confusion. If uncertain, I abdicate until I am. Radical truth is being truthful (with kindness) to everyone at all times and under all conditions. Telling lies on any level is not an exception.

By being the qualities of higher levels one naturally becomes kind toward all life. Compassion, joy, sincerity, unconditional love, willingness, neutrality and more is what is necessary to transcend the levels of consciousness. Awareness of the pitfalls of the ego and the ways in which we can fall back is a priority. Surrendering that which you have no control over to Divinity is the path. Through the vigilant practice of being that which you wish to become, you become it. Force is not the way, but the power of Divinity. The intention alone to be more of what you wish to be will make it happen.

If the aforementioned way of being seems difficult, then you are not yet ready to commit to this and that is perfectly alright. The practice of Devotional Nonduality will be around for a very long time and Divinity has an infinite amount of patience. When you are ready to walk the path, there will be many to help guide you along the way.

*This could lead to life changing scenarios, such as divorce, changing social groups/friends, employment or avoidance of certain family members.