Lillooet, B. C. August 5, 2022
Dear Readers,
Below are some observations I made as to the behaviour of the human spirit from observing myself and the other people around me. Much the same way as a gardener learns about plants from growing them or an outdoorsperson learns about animals by observing them being themselves in their natural environment. These were written originally about twenty years ago and have guided me since that time. May they give a broad light to your own path that you may fashion your own more perfect understanding.
1~ The spirit is vast. It is a miracle of nature that animates our physical bodies. Infants know this truth. Our first sensation is the awareness of infinity. Our awareness expands until it encompasses the moon, the stars and beyond. Then it condenses into a fertilized egg. Our awareness pulsates between these two extremes during our time in the womb. We remember this briefly after we are born. The memory is soon relegated to our subconscious and we begin to explore.
2~ The spirit has eyes that can see. The eyes of the spirit are special and can see the true nature of things. The eyes of the spirit can see danger where organic eyes might see beauty. Conversely, the spirit can see beauty where organic eyes cannot. This aspect of the spirit can make us confused. We must learn not to rely only upon our organic eyes.
3~ Another trait of the spirit is courage. Because of perfect vision, the spirit can remain calm when the body trembles with terror. The spirit can react with caution to danger that the body is unaware of. This reluctance of the spirit is not born of fear. It is born of wisdom.
4~ The appetite of the spirit is vast. It hungers for challenge. It will wither if it is deprived of challenge. The propensity of mankind to avoid pain, hampers the growth of the spirit. When a person declines a challenge, the spirit is starved. Each challenge that a person answers expands the boundary of knowledge. This frontier silently waits to be expanded in spite of our retreats into the oblivion of commonplace things.
5~ The spirit is capable of travelling anywhere any time. It does not always remain with the body. It will not submit to the physical body nor to animal fear. On occasion it will depart in search of nourishment. It also roams while the body sleeps. The spirit is loyal and always returns from its adventures. It desires to lead the body but this desire is not usually fulfilled.
6~ If a life is frozen in a rut of fear, complacency or routine; the spirit can be aroused to anger. It will depart for extended periods of time. It is possible to be unaware of the absence. These episodes are often difficult. When the spirit knows that a person is ready to listen it returns and the person experiences a tremendous burst of growth. This is often accompanied by a significant change in the person's lifestyle.
7~ The spirit is dedicated to children. If you look at a child with the eyes of the spirit, it is a fearless being that is limited only by its body. No person with spiritual vision would mistreat a child.
8~ The spirit is a teacher. It will allow a person to create difficult situations and then it will provide assistance. Our primitive nature is vaguely aware of this fact. The spirit is committed to personal evolution.
9~ There are things that encourage the spirit to stay near. Any attempt to overcome fear will attract the spirit. An unplanned event that puts life in jeopardy has the same effect. The loyalty of the spirit cannot be understood on a superficial level.
10~ Urban life is a pastiche of routine and pain avoidance. It is necessary to create an atmosphere of challenge to nourish the spirit. I believe that exceptional people acknowledge the spirit in daily life.