Life Lesson #23 Mystical Faith   You Are Convinced Accept This Gift Developing Faith True Companions Subtle Companions Avoid Fantasies Self-Delusion Modesty & Humility   Printer Version

Mystical Faith

Self-Delusion

These sufferers often enjoy the recognition and their power over others immensely. They say impressive words and are emotionally unfettered in many areas. One gentleman enjoyed hovering around potential disciples in restaurants. He would stare into their eyes and intone: "Do you know who I am? Look at me. Don't you recognize me? I am your spiritual master." Due to his other activities, police asked him to leave town.

Another sufferer was sure he was the reincarnated Jesus Christ and that people were trying to crucify him before he gave his message. He spent much of his time avoiding his "pursuers."

Unfortunately, mental illness can increase in the lives of those who have deep inner conflicts and who seek to escape reality on the path of higher consciousness rather than find themselves. Some people use the abstract vocabulary of higher consciousness to justify their own opinions and validate their inner images as spiritual truths.

What people with extensive inner conflicts think and see can be totally split from reality. In prayer, contemplation, or meditation, an imbalanced sufferer can, with the images of his subconscious mind — and contorted emotional nature — see whatever he wishes to see. Such an unfortunate individual may "hear" from within convincing but untrue prophecies or proclamations of his greatness, superiority, or world mission.

Because of the possibilities of self-delusion, it's very important to strive to have companionship with awakened teachers. Study with them. Heed their instructions and cautions attentively. Practice the techniques they suggest, exactly and with the right spirit. Value your teachers. As well, keep good mental/emotional companions inside. Nourish your well being with constructive success-directed thoughts and feelings. Higher consciousness is not a path of "Let's pretend." Faith is rooted in the certainty of a clearer and more perfect perception of reality.

In particular, avoid fantasies. When you're daydreaming about your romantic quest of higher consciousness, strive to recognize you are in fact fantasizing and that the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing may or may not be true. You might also ask yourself why you are having recurrent fantasies and, since fantasies are often a reflection of inner pressures, you might ask why your fantasies tend to have a particular quality or theme. Very often, too, a fantasy reveals a need or yearning within you which is not being faced and satisfied in real life.

Modesty & Humility 
 

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