Everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes are more serious than others. Some mistakes are made more often than others. Here is an essay with a comprehensive list of mistakes, from beginner to advanced, to watch out for when on the spiritual path. Given that most mystical traditions (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim) have their origins in the East, the author makes a point of the mistakes “Westerners” make. However, this can apply to all modern people, in which consumerism and “I want it right now” has become the new Deity, and those who have uncritically accepted the “If it looks/feels/seems good, it must be good” paradigm.
Perhaps I am preaching to the choir here, because those who listen are already on the spiritual/philosophical path, and those who don’t identify themselves with these common mistakes probably aren’t very interested in the field of philosophy of religion anyhow. The author lists the mistakes Westerners make from beginner to advanced:
Comparing and contrasting one’s experience and insight with others
Often borne out of low-self esteem, a paranoid fear that one ‘does not have it’ or ‘will never have it’, or basic adolescent competitiveness, this tendency is sheer stupidity. But I confess I’ve done it a lot! Underlying it all is the basic ignorance of the innate wisdom of pure Being.
Wanting to be free but wanting to stay the same
People may want to grow spiritually but like all other humans they fear change and with the mechanism of ego in place, it fears the potential threat that spirituality represents. It’s ordinary to want to have it both ways, to ‘have your cake and eat it too’ but the ‘you’ who is being clung to and identified with is the very root of one’s illusion and problem.
Here are some intermediate mistakes:
Mistaking analytical mind for non-dual awareness
As one gains insight over time, there still may be an underlying assumption that one’s capacity for analysis and deconstruction be either identical to or will lead to non-dual awareness. There is still an extant clinging to mental forms which must be transcended.
Believing that practice will result in enlightenment in a linear cause and effect fashion
When one discovers a teacher, teaching or tradition that seems to bear some fruit, one may throw him or herself into the associated practice hoping that it will eventually produce an enlightened happy self, sort of like a spiritual assembly line. This kind of “formula consciousness” is a kind of orientation that speaks of subtle avoidance. One may hope to get through the hard parts by doing spiritual techniques that will hopefully avoid having to look too closely at oneself or avoid any form of unpleasantness. The reliance upon a formula for realization is at the root a misunderstanding about the spiritual process and realization itself, and another form of subtle avoidance.
Interested in the advanced mistakes (if you can say you’re advanced?) Check out the link!
Great article. This is a great list. We have all been there and made these mistakes and often still do. I love this. This is one I will print and save. Thank-you.
You’re quite welcome.
Ray,
Ditto – - Thanks very much. This article is going to be a keeper.
I don’t think you are preaching to the choir, I for one very much appreciate the warnings presented here. . .as flawed humans we’ll all make some form of these mistakes, so its good to able to have a refernce to compare against