An obstacle for seekers: the way important others see you

[stardustpilgrim]

Jul 25, 2022 9:20:39 GMT -5 zazeniac said:

Jul 22, 2022 0:03:34 GMT -5 siftingtothetruth said:

Are you honest with important others in your life about how important the spiritual search is to you? If not, why not? Often, seekers aren't honest because they are afraid of being judged, and of losing or hurting the image that others have of them. This will act as an obstacle to the spiritual search in the end, however, because the same fear that prevents honesty will also prevent a complete letting go into the practice.

All folks around me know that I am a spiritual seeker. Few understand or try to understand when I explain what that means. The majority who don't want to understand think I'm weird, quirky. Some others think it's just a phase. What they think about my spiritual path doesn't bother me. What throws me off my game is that when the mind subsides I get quiet. 

Then I get.  Are you angry? Or why are you being cold? It's guilt then that shadows the truth. I have to learn ride out that emotion and stay present. Not let that thought train take me for a ride. Typically I make excuses and start performing again for their benefit. I have to excise the Catholic in me. It seems to me that with emotions, it's better to pay attention to them. Often the mind starts chattering to avoid them. 

This shows the results of practice.

[zazeniac]

Aug 9, 2022 14:01:18 GMT -5 stardustpilgrim said:

Jul 25, 2022 9:20:39 GMT -5 zazeniac said:

All folks around me know that I am a spiritual seeker. Few understand or try to understand when I explain what that means. The majority who don't want to understand think I'm weird, quirky. Some others think it's just a phase. What they think about my spiritual path doesn't bother me. What throws me off my game is that when the mind subsides I get quiet. 

Then I get.  Are you angry? Or why are you being cold? It's guilt then that shadows the truth. I have to learn ride out that emotion and stay present. Not let that thought train take me for a ride. Typically I make excuses and start performing again for their benefit. I have to excise the Catholic in me. It seems to me that with emotions, it's better to pay attention to them. Often the mind starts chattering to avoid them. 

This shows the results of practice.

Interesting observation. Thanks.