As I traversed different teachings and systems that speak to my (or my teachers') heart on spiritual path, I was taught different techniques - breathing (various-ly), mindfulness, journaling, chanting, prayer, cleansing, clearing, setting up grid, light language, visualization, affirmation, divination…
At some point there became too many tools and I got confused what is the right tool for myself, and felt the bottomless depth of where all that leads to.
When I had tasted all of those different aspects of spirituality, I was back in the beginning, although I never truly left that space - where it is all about true awakening - Peace, Love, Compassion, Joy, and Absolute Truth, for me. Some tools fall away. And some stay with me.
I realized then that the tools we use depend on whether we are operating within or with-out the infinite fractals of existence. In other words, where we see reality from determines our choices of tools and actions.
This is pretty clear in Noble Eightfold Path taught by the Buddha, which I think is one of the cornerstones of any journey.
In Noble Eightfold Path, View precedes each moment and intention. We direct our thought and speech and awareness based on what view we perceive reality with.
View determines attitude, leading to Thought/ Intention, then Speech - Action - Livelihood - Awareness - Effort, & Concentration (Samadhi). The path is contained in each moment. Each moment then builds on the previous, and it continues on to be our beingness.
There is the Buddhism view of impermanence, non-self, suffering, conditionality, rebirth, karma, etc.
There is also the new age view where it's all One and God and heaven to be achieved here on earth, raising consciousness within the multiple dimensions, the imporance of fighting opposing dark forces, manifestation etc.
There is the ancient view of one loving God being our Creator and us being His extension, of Christ being our lord and savior yet being one with us, of the Law of Grace and Free Will, or our universe being a speck of dust within the womb of potential that encompasses all.
Religions are made to shape our views - imagine the thousands of those plus other thought systems. There are so many ways to see the world! (& not discounting the fact that how we interpret a particular view is a view in itself.) Some views we will resonate more & take as truths or absolute Truths, while some as untruths. And yes, our views change according to experiences and perception.
Whichever chosen, view makes a huge deal as to how we live, what we advocate, consciously. From a reaction to an event, a person, to how we diffuse that reaction. Or in a bigger way, whether we see suffering or karma as a punishment, or a negative thing, or a happening as a result of karma, or see it as a reality of this dimension, this realm, a choice to experience, and an opportunity for learning + awakening. Whether we claim Grace to help us move through life's challenges, or wait for karmic lessons to exhaust. Each and everything we do is driven by what view we see from/ with.
Back to the multitude of tools available in spiritual smorgasbord, your view will lead you to your ideal, which in turn leads you to question if the available tool serves the ideal - what is it for. Peace. Enlightenment. Harmony. Success. Manifesting wealth. Earning 6 - 7 figures. Unchaining some unwanted relationship. Becoming somebody. Winning over the dark forces and creating a new world. Achieving total bliss. Knowing God. Knowing self. Oneness. The list goes on.
The tool then can be used in a different way (or with a different attitude), or abandoned altogether. Definitely it can also be used to help others where they are.
Yet, although the form may look the same, the content is different with differing views and ideals, purposes and goals. One no longer needs to worship the tool, rather, leverage on it. And we also will know to what end do we use the tools we use.
And in that process the recognition, honesty and integrity of why we do what we do is crucial.
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