Finding the 'real' in yourself
For some this may seem to be a strange topic, you find objects, wealth and you try to find happiness but to suggest that you find 'yourself' infers that you are lost, how can this be? Lost does not refer to the physical body, but lost in not knowing who you really are and what you shall ultimately become. Now most individuals would say that they know who they are. But do they, there is another you, a deeper aspect of yourself that has been waiting patiently for you to discover its infinite potential!
And so sincere individuals intent on finding the 'real' in themselves undertake a life-long pilgrimage, a pilgrimage to untap the inner treasures of the spiritual heart. A journey that can commence at any time, in any location but whose success depends on that individual's concentration, aspiration, faith, determination and patience. And what do they find when they arrive at its zenith heights, a reality more beautiful and more fulfilling than they could ever have imagined!
So why is it that individuals have to especially undertake such a journey? The fact is that individuals spend most of their time in the limited reality of the physical mind. In the daily dealings of their outer responsibilities, desires, needs and wants, where the qualities of doubt, fear, hesitation, criticism, division, unhappiness, ego and frustration loom. However these qualities do not represent the 'real' in any individual because they are limited. For us to discover the 'real' in ourselves we have to move beyond the limited into the unlimited reality of the infinite.
The soul, that portion of God that each individual carries deep within the silent depths of their spiritual heart is that infinite reality, the real in us where our abiding happiness lies. For us to continue to witness its compassion, unconditional love, concern, joy, oneness, wisdom and inspiration we need to establish the regular practice of inner reflection - prayer, meditation and silent contemplation. These daily practices replenish the beauty of the spiritual heart's existence in our lives. And in doing so the practitioner gradually transcends the mind's limitations until it too is bathed by the soul's tranquil reality.
Once the real is sought there is a continuing inner cry from deep within the seeker which seeks ever-higher realisations of the soul's ever-transcending reality. Sri Chinmoy the meditation teachers says, (1) "Your soul has a special mission. Your soul is supremely conscious of it. Maya, illusion or forgetfulness, makes you feel that you are finite, weak and helpless. This is not true. You are not the body. You are not the senses. You are not the mind. These are all limited. You are the soul, which is unlimited. Your soul is infinitely powerful. Your soul defies all time and space.
Has your soul a special mission? Yes. Your mission is in the inmost recesses of your heart, and you have to find and fulfil it there. There can be no external way for you to fulfil your mission. The deer grows musk in his own body. He smells it and becomes enchanted, and tries to locate its source. He runs and runs, but he cannot find the source. In his endless search, he loses all his energy and finally he dies. But the source he was so desperately searching for was within himself. How could he find it elsewhere?
Such is the case with you. Your special mission--which is the fulfilment of your divinity--is not outside you, but within you. Search within. Meditate within. You will discover your mission".
Ref: (1) - from Sri Chinmoy's book - The Wisdom of Sri Chinmoy.
Biography - Sahayak Plowman by nature is a calm, positive and happy person. He attributes this to the growing experiences gained through his own meditation practice with the guidance given by his meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy. He is a writer on spiritual topics, compiler of a published book of poetry Sri Chinmoy's Heart-Garden, meditation teacher and web master for Sri Chinmoy Books.com