Committing to Spiritual Development

April 8, 2008

Just like anything else that you want to do well, being an everyday mystic takes time and practice.  I recently read a Harvard Business Review article on the topic of achieving mastery of any skill, be it playing a musical instrument or managing people.  The article cited research that shows that it takes ten years – ten years! – of consistent practice to achieve mastery of an advanced skill.

I know many people who I consider to have achieved mastery in spiritual skills.  I have said for years that I wish to be among them.  Sure, I have meditated and written in a journal for years, I’ve tried to live lovingly, forgivingly and mindfully, I’ve tried to be a good wife/mother/friend — but I haven’t REALLY dedicated myself to achieve mastery of the spiritual skills that I desire.  I’ve dabbled.  Or so it seems.

Others have done it, and they are not just Zen masters like the Dalai Lama or my dear Roshi Joan Halifax (www.upaya.org).  Two friends of mine tell me that the way they developed their ability to "hear" wisdom from the Divine was to meditate for several hours a day – for months! One is a psychic and gives readings to business people and another is a medical intuitive. I have several other friends who either live at a Zen center or have committed themselves to an hour of prayer time each day.

It’s time for me to dedicate myself to deepening my spirituality.  I wish to be able to tap into the wisdom that I know is available to all of us, if only we listen with open hearts. I am declaring my intention in this blog: To meditate and journal every day, to know that I can receive divine guidance and to open myself to the wisdom that I know is within my grasp.

Secondly, I declare an intention that it won’t take me ten years to achieve some level of mastery. The dabbling I’ve done will count for a lot.

j0436222And, I want you! Just like Uncle Sam, I’m asking you, my readers, to enlist with me in this project and be my accountability partner.  I promise to report back to you once a week (among my other blog posts) with how I’m doing – what I’ve discovered, the techniques I’m using and any progress I’ve made.   You don’t have to do it with me, but allow me to tell you how it’s going.

And, as always, your comments and encouragements are precious to me. 

Thank you for this opportunity to document my spiritual journey. I hope that by sharing my struggles and my path that your journey is made easier.


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Posted by krisrob02 | Filed Under Intentions, Newest Posts, The Journey 

Comments

2 Responses to “Committing to Spiritual Development”

  1. Ladybear on April 10th, 2008 5:48 pm

    Namaste’ Kristin,

    Did you know Joan Halifax is with us on Gaia.com too?

    http://jhalifax.gaia.com/

    Blessings, Ladybear

  2. krisrob02 on April 11th, 2008 7:12 am

    Thanks, Ladybear. Yes, I read Roshi Joan’s blog. It gives me comfort to just read her words and see her picture.

    And perhaps you’ve already seen that I occasionally post my blog entries to Gaia.com (http://theeverydaymystic.gaia.com/blog)

    Blessings!

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