The spiritual path is nothing more than the means of knowing Yourself and what is Real, and then living with this awareness in your daily life. The Real Path has no set program, course, structure, or rules. This path is for and by each individual. You will travel and grow your own way. The Real Teaching is passed from heart to heart, breath to breath.
The Real is truth without form. To be a Real Person is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot. We are being constantly bombarded by the "spiritual impulse", the "source of being". The Real path is concerned with the attunement of the individual to perceive this impulse. The Real Persons understand with their hearts what the most learned scholars cannot understand with their minds.
You have likely already found out that the so-called Spiritual Path can be difficult. It can encompass many things and seem to be overwhelming at times. It does reach every aspect of a persons life. The practices may seem far too many or difficult, and the time consumed to be excessive. In reality, going far toward Enlightenment and Realization does take everything. It is quite serious. In addition, the "ends" of Enlightenment and Realization are not that. They are beginnings. Everything opens up more and more, and that Realization and Enlightenment increases. No matter how far one goes, one is always beginning - and it always can grow and deepen from there.
You may or may not be seeking a Guide to assist you in going further. Either way, this site may be of some value to you. It depends only upon your intention and use. For those of you who are seeking guidance or a "real teacher", or currently in a "student/teacher relationship" the following two paragraphs are especially for you.
You have likely come across some (or most) so-called "Spiritual" people who are so, so, very serious, bordering on the morose. I, and others, can tell you that the ones who really know, through experience, have several things in common. One of these is that each has a great sense of humor. Another is that they are happy - and show it - even though they are also quite serious. Be careful of folks who show excessive "piety" and religious or spiritual seriousness - without corresponding humor and joy. Be careful of those who only speak to the difficulties. Be especially leery of those who are strident in their demeanor, and those who assert that they are the "only" way or the best way. Be careful of those who put themselves above others and those who accept no opposition or questioning. Consider well if these are the ones you wish to guide you.
If you run into the situation in which you are with someone who says something like "this is the way it always has been done, or what so-and-so teacher did; so we will do it this way"; you may want to consider if this is the right person to guide you (or anyone). I recall a fellow who, when asked why he was doing something in a way different than his former Teacher said, "I don't want to repeat his mistakes; I will make my own".
I will make a few observations and suggestions for you to consider. While you are going through the various spiritual processes, growths, and even difficulties; keep in mind that they are not "the end of the world". Try not to let them overwhelm you. They are part of a larger process. In your daily life, try to keep a sense of humor. Enjoy the things of this world. It's a great place to visit. Try not to get caught up in outer forms, and avoid the "oughts and shoulds" of others, society in general, and groups. Follow you own heart. It will always lead you well.
I suggest as you go about your daily activities, stop a few times and try to breathe in all the Joy you can, and to breathe out all the Joy you can. Breathe in all the Love you can, and breathe out all the Love you can. And if there is only one thing I could suggest to you, that is to breathe love and let that guide and lead you.
There was once a man named Mojud. He lived in a town where he had obtained a post as a small official, and it seemed likely that he would end his days as Inspector of Weights and Measures.
One day when he was walking through the gardens of an ancient building near his home Khidr, the mysterious Guide, appeared to him, dressed in shimmering green. Khidr said: "Man of bright prospects! Leave your work and meet me at the riverside in three days" time." Then he disappeared.
Mojud went to his superior in trepidation and said that he had to leave. Everyone in the town soon heard of this and they said: "Poor Mojud! He has gone mad." But, as there were many candidates for his job, they soon forgot him.
On the appointed day, Mojud met Khidr, who said to him: "Tear your clothes and throw yourself into the stream. Perhaps someone will save you."
Mojud did so, even though he wondered if he were mad. Since he could swim, he did not drown, but drifted a long way before a fisherman hauled him into his boat, saying, "Foolish man! The current is strong. What are you trying to do?"
Mojud said: "I do not really know."
"You are mad," said the fisherman, "but I will take you into my reed-hut by the river yonder, and we shall see what can be done for you.
When he discovered that Mojud was well-spoken, he learned from him how to read and write. In exchange Mojud was given food and helped the fisherman with his work. After a few months, Khidr again appeared, this time at the foot of Mojud"s bed, and said: "Get up now and leave this fisherman. You will be provided for."
Mojud immediately quit the hut, dressed as a fisherman, and wandered about until he came to a highway. As dawn was breaking he saw a farmer on a donkey on his way to market. "Do you seek work?" asked the farmer. "Because I need a man to help me to bring back some purchases."
Mojud followed him. He worked for the farmer for nearly two years, by which time he had learned a great deal about agriculture, but little else.
One afternoon when he was baling wool, Khidr appeared to him and said: "Leave that work, walk to the city of Mosul, and use your savings to become a skin merchant."
Mojud obeyed.
In Mosul he became known as a skin merchant, never seeing Khidr while he plied his trade for three years. He had saved quite a large sum of money, and was thinking of buying a house, when Khidr appeared and said: "Give me your money, walk out of this town as far as distant Samarkand, and work for a grocer there." Mojud did so.
Presently he began to show undoubted signs of illumination. He healed the sick, served his fellow men in the shop and during his spare time, and his knowledge of the mysteries became deeper and deeper.
Clerics, philosophers and others visited him and asked: "Under whom did you study?"
"It is difficult to say," said Mojud.
His disciples asked: "How did you start your career?"
He said: "As a small official."
"And you gave it up to devote yourself to self-mortification?"
"No, I just gave it up."
They did not understand him.
People approached him to write the story of his life.
"What have you been in your life?" they asked.
"I jumped into a river, became a fisherman, then walked out of his reed-hut in the middle of one night. After that, I became a farmhand. While I was baling wool, I changed and went to Mosul, where I became a skin merchant. I saved some money there, but gave it away. Then I walked to Samarkand where I worked for a grocer. And this is where I am now."
"But this inexplicable behaviour throws no light upon your strange gifts and wonderful examples," said the biographers.
"That is so," said Mojud.
So the biographers constructed for Mojud a wonderful and exciting history; because all saints must have their story, and the story must be in accordance with the appetite of the listener, not with the realities of the life.
And nobody is allowed to speak of Khidr directly. That is why this story is not true. It is a representation of a life. This is the real life of one of the greatest Real Persons.