Spirit V Soul

In the beginning of our spiritual journey we cannot differenciate between spirit and soul - it is only with experience can we distinguish the two. But even with long experience some cannot tell the difference, and get caught in what they term "spirituality" which is really "soulishness".

How can we tell the two? With wise counsel from others who are truely spiritual.

A recommendation for reading is: Sould and Spirit by Watchmann Nee, and also Soul and Spirit by Jesse Penn-Lewis.

And let's not forget much prayer of the heart!

Discernment

Discernment should be one of our desires on our spiritual journey. It should not be born from our curiosity about other people, but a desire to stay on the straight and narrow path leading us to our destination.

Spirital Direction II

I know of a person who, while sitting in church, had a vision during the service. After the service, when the church emptied, she remained seated, unable to move beacuse of the bliss she was experiencing.

She was approached by the person who wished to lock the church. After she had told him she would like to stay where she was, and he could lock her in, he did so, promising to return within the hour. Stupidity! Firstly, stupidity on her part, for wanting the experience to last (this shows spiritual immaturity). Secondly, stupidity on the part of the key-holder. What if a fire had broken out?!

Any spiritual experience, shoud NOT affect common sense.

It's sad there's such ignorance.

Keep it Simple

The spiritual life is a complete paradox. The less we have, the more we have.

Eastern religions seem to know this more.

Whatever in your life - Keep it Simple.

Transformation and Freedom

Everyone has a burdened conscience, whether they recognise it or not - spiritual practise is the way to bring it to the fore. In recognising and naming our burden, we can accept it, lay it down and watch it transform. Then we can begin to live in true spiritual peace, which is spiritual freedom.

If He has set you free, you are free indeed!

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is not to be taken lightly - without it a person can (especially if they have had a spiritual experience) try to remain in the sweetness of their experience, but as it fades, hanker for the feelings of delight once again - When it fails to return, they find themselves disappointed and may return to their former way of life, left with just the memory of what once was. This is a great shame. If they were to be given wise counsel they would be shown the sweetness was just the very beginning, and could be guided into maturity of spirit where they could indeed be in possession of all they desire.

If anyone has any questions regarding spiritaul direction please feel free to ask.

Meditation

To begin, meditation should be done in a silent room, so you can devote your time without distrations.

Over time, during these periods of meditation, distrations will come from your inner self -persist in your meditation.

Your ideal is to reach a stage when you can medidate in a busy inner-city street, without any distration.

Spiritual Awakening

There's no getting away from it - a spiritual awakening happens by consent: it's spontaneous occurrence comes at the point of surrender to some crisis, or by working the 12 step programme.

Importance of Silence

Contemplative prayer [meditation] is not considered seriously enough. Frequently I have heard people speak about the matter, and through ignorance, classify ministries under two separate headings: Active or Contemplative. There should be no such division.

It is also the active who is the one inclined to divide the two; the contemplative the one who works towards the annihilation of this boundary. The reason for this is because the contemplative [in their trials through the practice of silence and meditation] has made a journey of inner death and rebirth, and has been awakened to the truth. Any active work stemming from this ground prove more fruitful because they are done in accordance with God's will.