The True Seeker

If the spiritual search begins within the state of ignorance, how can it possibly yield truth? How can reality emerge from illusion?

The pre-cognition of our spiritual purpose is a revelation that arises from the encoded knowing inherent to our original nature. To be in touch with this knowing is in fact what makes one a true seeker. In the absence of this sensitivity, our whole perception of the path is disconnected from any existential or evolutionary truth. The authenticity of a true seeker is reflected in the depth of his connection to the light of the soul; he seeks from the soul, not the mind. That which gives reality to his inner quest is the presence of his higher being, which, even prior to the actualization of his awakening, eter­nally knows the goal of his evolution. To begin the search for truth, we must feel its essence within our existence. Unless the one who begins the inner journey is in touch with the realm of I am, all efforts to awaken will be futile.

becoming a seeker

To become a seeker is to begin serving the light by taking responsibil­ity for the realization of one’s evolutionary purpose. It is to use all of the resources given to us by existence — the mind, heart, intelligence, and the powers of energy and will — to penetrate and ultimately transcend the thick veil of ignorance. For a true seeker, not a single moment passes that the inner work is not in progress. His life is com­pletely dedicated to that which is real, and to renouncing, with cour­age and complete attention, that which is false. To become a seeker is to acquire a new identity — not of the ego, but of the soul. It is not just one of the many roles that we play in our life or something we do in our free time, but our very reason to live.

Awakening is the call and command of each individual soul, but it has universal implications as well. Our inner quest is not merely a personal affair with spirituality, but part of a much greater plan of universal evolution. Anyone who does not move towards the light actually hinders the universal expansion of consciousness; our individual contribution as a conscious seeker serves the universal movement into the fathomless wisdom and mystery of the creator’s supreme presence.

the essential qualities of a seeker

To seek is the most challenging endeavor in human existence. While striving for illumination, not only do we have to face the challenge of cutting through innumerable layers of our own unconsciousness, we must also cope with the complexities of living in the world and the ignorance of the collective mind. Last, but certainly not least, we must face our personal psychological issues and often conflicting desires and fears. In order to meet these challenges and ultimately realize our higher being, it is critical that we develop certain essential qualities:

Sincerity: Sincerity is truthfulness to oneself and others. It expresses our purity of intention and the deep honesty of the soul. Sincerity is the only true remedy against the ego’s games and manipulations, and can be seen as the virtue that connects our human identity with the integrity of the soul. When there is a lack of sincerity, the ego becomes arrogant and succumbs to the impurities of the mind. The presence of sincerity proves that the soul has already purified the mind and heart to a significant degree.

Self-awareness: Self-awareness is the aspect of sincerity that guards against self-deception. A typical example of self-deception can be seen in a seeker who pursues the path of renunciation while still hav­ing significant desires to fulfill. Such a radical approach is entirely inappropriate, even counterproductive. Lacking self-awareness, the seeker mistakes his willingness to make sacrifices for what he believes to be a superior way of life for true readiness to transcend his human existence. In another classic scenario, a seeker deceives himself by intellectually indulging in spiritual matters, while refusing to actually do the inner work. He believes himself to be ‘spiritual’, but lacks the honesty and integrity to face his own fragmented state of being.

Maturity: The level of maturity of a seeker can be seen as the mea­sure of his evolution through many lifetimes. One of the clearest indicators of spiritual maturity is the ability to take responsibility for the realization of one’s own spiritual potential. Another is the capacity to discriminate between one’s lower and higher nature, and serve the latter. However the keystone of maturity is the sensitivity through which one identifies the dimension of pure subjectivity, the state of I am, as the essence of the path.

Inner strength: There can be no true progress on the spiritual path unless one has the necessary inner strength. Inner strength is the power of will we call upon to prevail over the major obstacles on the path. Without it, we cannot transcend the darkness of unconscious­ness and overcome the hindrance of the mind. Furthermore, inner strength is absolutely crucial in order to be able to hold to our own truth in the face of the collective ignorance. A seeker must be com­pletely dedicated to the inner work — like a warrior — courageous and one-pointed in following that which is real.

Patience: Because the evolution of consciousness takes many turns and progress is mostly gradual, a great deal of patience is required as we tread the inner path. Patience can be seen as an aspect of inner discipline, an opposing force to our subconscious tendencies. Essential to meditation, patience pacifies frustration, restlessness and mental agitation. We cannot cultivate the inner state without the endurance and inner softness of complete patience. Patience devel­ops from the growth of our humility, spiritual maturity and trust in our perception of the path.

Determination: To grow on the path and persevere in the face of difficulties, one must have steadfast determination. Determination is founded on the awakening to one’s evolutionary purpose; it is total conviction in the truth of the inner work. When one sees that there is no choice but to walk the path, regardless of the many obstacles, one unwaveringly persists with the work of awakening.

Discriminative wisdom: Most seekers remain half-asleep, functioning in a semi-conscious state, not making an effort to truly understand. Through the evolution of intelligence we begin to comprehend the sig­nificance of the path and the truth of enlightenment. Born of spiritual intelligence, discriminative wisdom enables us to discern not only that which is true, but also that which is false, guarding us against various pitfalls on the path.

Sensitivity to the realm of I am: Sensitivity to the realm of I am, the dimension of pure subjectivity, is the very marrow of a true seeker. Unfortunately, sensitivity to the realm of I am is the quality most lacking among the majority of seekers. Unless one can recognize I am as the fundamental nature of the spiritual dimension, one will compulsively cling to the objective side of reality.

The ability to meet oneself: The ability to meet oneself is a comple­mentary quality to sensitivity to the realm of I am. Many seekers are lost in artificial forms of self-enquiry, unable to touch the core of their existence. Their difficulty lies not in an inability to awaken the inner state, but in the fact that they lack the maturity required to meet their souls. The ability to meet oneself is either an expression of wisdom acquired from past evolution or the result of present awak­ening. However, even if we lack this maturity, spiritual inertia is not justified, for awakening is ultimately a function of the present. How can we mature without sincerely facing the challenge of awakening in this very now?

Due to the intangible nature of the spiritual search, even if we intuitively recognize the essence of the way, we cannot truly know our final destination. Like a seed that cannot foresee its future des­tiny as a tree, a seeker entering the path cannot grasp his ultimate goal. Only by possessing the virtues we have described here can we persevere in the face of the unknown and unravel our final destiny.

commitment to the path

It is better not to begin the spiritual journey if we are not ready to complete it — better not to open the wound of unconsciousness if we are not determined to heal it fully. Many seekers give up their search having reached only a partial awakening. Some prematurely assume the role of teachers, while others simply idle, believing there is nowhere further to go. Both are mistaken, for there is always more to be realized before becoming truly complete on all levels. Unless we harbor the deepest commitment to the path, we will lack the nec­essary strength and determination to accomplish our evolutionary purpose. It is our burning desire to understand and expand into light that inspires us to move forward in spite of all obstructing forces.

Commitment to the path is an absolute requirement for all seek­ers. It assures our steady progress and safeguards us from relinquish­ing the inner work prematurely. Among the many temptations that can lead us to abandon the path are errors in the verification of attain­ment, a sense of stagnation, lack of progress, the inability to recognize the next step, or an overwhelming sense of futility. One can become hopeless and lose inspiration, beset by doubts, or even succumb to the skepticism of the collective mind with its utterly unconscious percep­tion of spirituality. Regardless of these and any other difficulties, one should never desert the inner work under any circumstances.

living the path

The inner work takes place at all times. It is not something that we announce to others or even speak about, but our silent secret beneath the apparent reality, the inner jewel we treasure above all else. The inner journey is not merely a means to reach a degree of inner awak­ening so that we can move on with our ‘normal life’; it is unbroken enquiry into the nature of reality and continuous awakening to the reality of the now. Entering the path, we should be aware that we are embarking on an adventure for our whole lives and beyond.

Living the path is the very essence of our existence. Some may choose to live the path in the mode of renunciation; others, by actively participating in the world. But ultimately, living the path is beyond the polarity of being in the world or renouncing it. It is an eternal love affair with the light of the self — the very meaning of life itself.