Today's Considerations
5. Michael shared that Maharaj explained to "michael" that he ". . . still wanted to be the one to travel the pathless path, but until I realized the unreality of that one who wanted to travel any path, even a pathless path, all my study was for naught and would be just more ignorance."
Yes, Maharaj over the years discussed each of the steps which make up what is referenced here as "the steps on the seven-step path." Note, however, that Maharaj's pointer above intends, in the end, to de-legitimize "any path" (even including the non-dual "pathless path"). Because he saw that michael was hung up on a purification by meditation path, he encouraged michael once more to forget that path.
If one is lost in a dark forest, would one conclude that "any path is better than no path at all?" Many would, and as a result they wander about blindly without any clear direction at all. But what if one were to offer a map and a compass to the one lost in the darkness? Would it not be better to seek and find the proper path to follow in order to escape the darkness and avoid wasting time and energy by wandering about blindly as if asleep? Yet rare is the instance when any persons are willing to set aside the path they are on and which they are attached to, for whatever reason.
Maharaj had pointed michael in a different direction during his first visit to the loft, but michael's attachment to the path he was on blocked him from even considering the use of a different path. Such is typically the case, so if one first happened to stumble across, say, the Neo-Advaita Method of the non-dual teachings, then that person is unlikely to investigate further and consider whether or not the Direct Path Method might provide a shorter and more efficient route out of the darkness.
The ego which supports ego-states will inspire attachment to one plan before having investigated other possible plans or routes: "To heck with using a compass and a map. Full speed ahead with whatever I came across first - or whatever I was first introduced to. That alone is, for certain, the right method or path."
Yet consider: a child born to French parents and raised in a French-speaking home will grow up to speak French, but if the French parents give that child up to a British couple for adoption, and that couple moves the child to their home in London and raises it there, then that same child will learn to speak English, not French. The same, no-choice scenario also applies to whatever path most humans end up following for life.
Ninety-seven percent of the persons on the planet claim that they are affiliated with one or another of the major organized religions. Did they choose that as the path to follow? Of course not. It was chosen for them and cast upon them. Like the French-born child speaking English for life, if a child is exposed only to the dogma of Islam, that child will likely be a Muslim for life. Same with Jews; same with Christians; same with Hindus.
Most people never choose a path - "any path" - after careful consideration. They accept the first path they come across, usually. Only a few, comparatively speaking, start playing the role of "The Seeker" at some point, leaving behind the path which was thrust upon them and checking out other options. Yet even those types often select the first alternative path they come across and then stick with it forever.
Maharaj's point was that "any path" - even the non-dual path - should be followed to its end and then abandoned. However, if a person who is lost in the dark forest is never truly intent on finding a path out of the forest but is willing to assume the role of "The Forest Wanderer"; and is willing to be content with endless wandering without ever reaching a final destination;
and is willing to become so addicted to the role of "The Super Wanderer" or "The Super Seeker" or "The Super Advaitin" (or "The Super Meditation Teacher"); and is willing to be driven by egotism (or by any of the other dozens of ego-defense mechanisms which persons employ to support their false identity / identities / multiple personalities), then that person will never use the path in the intended way which finally leads to a state where no path is any longer required at all.
If truly "Realized," "Enlightened," "Liberated," and "Awakened," then the use of "any path" will end and abidance will happen naturally and spontaneously. All religious work and spiritual work and non-dual work will end, and the remainder of the manifestation will thereafter unfold naturally (as it does for every living thing on the planet - except for humans, as the case is now).
Indeed, the wisdom shared when the consciousness spoke to michael via Maharaj was spot on:
To travel any path endlessly and for an entire manifestation, even if that happens to be the non-dual pathless path, will be for naught and will only generate more ignorance.
To be satisfied with (or even enamored by) a path which has no end, which never leads one out of the dark forest once and for all, and which never provides an absolute end to all "seeking" and "journeying" is evidence of the fact that the mental problems - which are at the very core of the Ultimate Sickness - are still present and are as influential as ever.
To be continued.
Please enter the silence of contemplation.
