Most of us have set out on the spiritual path in
search of a better and happier life. We turn to God, affirmations and metaphysical concepts in order to soothe our minds and find answers to questions that plague our hearts. We are taught that
the Universe is abundant and that it is our divine birthright to be prosperous on all levels--financially, emotionally, interpersonally, physically. Many of us reach for the spiritual life as a
last resort, hoping that is a more fulfilling way to live after nearly everything else.
So what happens when we embrace these new concepts and find our lives seemingly more impoverished
than before?
We ask to have illusions lifted from our minds and perhaps our marriage falls apart. We pray for physical healing of a relative and the person dies anyway. We meditate faithfully every morning and we get more unhappy and imbalanced each day. We feel confident that we deserve the highest and best in the work place and we get fired or downsized. Why does this happen? What is going on? How can we have faith and be grateful to a Universe that appears to be withholding our happiness from us?
These are painful questions and it is difficult to watch clients and friends grapple with these types of apparent setbacks. As we set out on the spiritual path, we must give up our previous
perceptions. The mystical life is up-ended, ironic, and often disorienting. Our minds want the linear comfort of knowing "if I do this over here, I will get this result at this place, at
this time and in this amount." One of the first lessons of spiritual growth is that we have to let go of control because we don't have the entire picture. God, angels and spirit guides don't
see things as we do, since they exist on a higher plane and view things from an enlightened perspective. If we are to turn our lives over to the care of the Universe, we must trust that we will
eventually get the result that is truly best suited for our needs and not necessarily what our ego sees fit.
These "crappy" things that happen on the paths are actually golden
experiences. It means the spirit world is taking you seriously, cleaning you out, breaking your illusions, freeing you from prisons you didn't even know you lived in, pushing you away from traps
you didn't even know you were walking into.
It may be helpful to understand the concept of chemicalization. When we embrace a higher truth like " I deserve love," it roots at the
depths of our soul and begins to grow. As it flowers within us, it pushes out all concepts that are unlike itself. You are actually undergoing a deep healing transformation, but what you may feel
is, "I hate myself...no one will ever love me." You may obsess about all your past failed relationships. People in your present life who are not for your highest good may suddenly walk
out of your life, whether your personality is ready for that or not!
This is certainly a different way to look at prosperity and abundance. As the saying goes, "you can't put new wine in
old wineskins." We must be cleansed and renewed before we can fully receive the good the Universe has in store for us. Perhaps it's not a measure of spiritual growth to be grateful during a
feast, but declaring. "Thank You God!" during a famine is an unmistakable sign of the spiritual warrior.
Embracing the emptiness that precedes the filling is a tall order. It is
difficult to trust that there is a filling and a fulfillment that will come, on its own terms, in its own time. In the Hebrew Bible, the comforting 23rd Psalm reads, "Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies." The "enemies" are the negative voices in our heads and the challenging experiences that come to us when we are ready to grow. Yet Spirit
is in the midst of it all with a sumptuous banquet spread out before us. As we change our perception and come to be grateful for all aspects of the spiritual growth process, we will see that
abundance that sits quiet, colorful and nourishing within the seeming appearance of lack and pain.
Aluna Michaels is a second generation astrologer and soul evolutionist
practitioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than two decades. Aluna is available for appointments in her home or by phone. Call
248-583-1663 or visit
