One Spiritual Size Does Not Fit All

I want to better distinguish between the voice(s) of my personality self (or ego or whatever you call it) and those from my core Self (that I call my soul). Then I'll be able to note, observe and unhook personality desires when they arise, rather than letting them rule me. By living more out of my soul - which is a lovely, dancing-joy light - I can use my personality traits to do my work in the world... but my work will be more effective, and apt to increase love and understanding rather adding noise, aggravation and confusion.

I've been impressed by the changes a good friend made in this regard after a year-long, intuitive guidance seminar at a local, spiritual training center. If I can find the money, I want to go through the same program. This last weekend, I went to a workshop which was the precursor.

Like the history of the center's founder and main teacher, the workshop techniques were a little idiosyncratic, but I found them very effective. And it struck me once again: we're all trying to get to the same place, using very similar spiritual practices. Our spiritual aspirations and practices only appear different because of varying religious trappings and terminology.

This was really obvious soon after I left the monastery when I went to Al Anon. The meeting I started with read through each step and each tradition in order... then started over - sort of like how we read the Rule in monastic "chapter." (For those who don't know, Al Anon is for anyone with an alcoholic family member or friend, and uses the AA 12 steps.)

I kept crying at first because the similarities with Benedictine monasticism were so immediate. All the important pieces were there, except cut up and rearranged. It was like Bob S. and Bill W., the Big Book authors, had channeled Evagrius and other early desert hermits, as well as Benedict.

I thought, "My monastic community refused to help me get where I need to go, but I could find the exact same help in Al Anon, and they aren't going to kick me out."

12 step programs talk about "serenity," Benedictines about "humility," Evagrius about "apatheia" (dispassion), and Buddhists about "vulnerable heart." But these all seem to be the same state of open-hearted awareness - with a total absence of looking down on others or yourself - a state which naturally leads to upwelling compassion and happiness.

It doesn't really matter which one of these programs you or I follow. Whatever approach resonates with you and works for you is best... for you. Because it's not about finding the one correct belief, but about working out our issues... and receiving the gift of divine at-one-ment that follows. Whatever the shape of door that most easily takes me or you or her or him there is good.

One size does not fit all. So aren't we lucky that there are so many sizes available.