The Myth Of Spiritual ‘Life Lessons’

It is not true that we must live a challenging, tormented life to learn certain spiritual “lessons”. Believing that we are here to “learn” is merely a justification that some folks offer to make sense of the bad things that sometimes happen to good people.

The irony is that those who choose to believe this myth will most likely have to face one trial and tribulation after the other, just as they expected. If someone’s life is awash with “weeping and gnashing of teeth” it is often because they choose it to be so.

The hardship and suffering we see in this world is mostly man-made. Misery is something we inflict on ourselves, and each other. It is not of Spirit, Source or God.

There is no beauty in sadness. No honor in suffering. No growth in fear. No relief in hate. It’s just a waste of perfectly good happiness ~ Katerina Stoykova Klemer

Someone once asked spiritual teacher Abraham-Hicks “why do dogs risk getting bugs in their eyes when they stick their heads out of car windows”. Abraham’s response was telling and most profound:  “Because the contrast of the bugs in the eye is a small price to pay for the exhilaration of that ride, and it is exactly the same way you felt when you made the decision to come into this physical existence. It is exactly the way you felt when you knew there would be contrast and you said, ‘the ride is going to be worth it!”

If there is any spiritual “lesson” that must learned in this lifetime then it is that we are the creators of our own reality, and the designers of our own life journey. Your experiences in this lifetime is what you choose it to be. You are the architect of your own destiny. If you consciously choose to sign up for some sort of “metaphysical boot camp” or “hell on earth” then that is undoubtedly the life experience you will have. If not, there is much that you can do to bring to an end all the self-inflicted misery you choose to expose yourself to. And if the torment is inflicted upon you by others, the solution is equally simple: nobody has the power to imprison your mind, dictate your emotions, or enslave your soul… unless you let them.

Planet Earth is not a cosmic classroom, it is a playground. Your life path is not a ‘test of character’ or some kind of ‘metaphysical curriculum’. It is simply an incredible adventure. You did not come into this physical dimension to suffer all manner of hardship, adversity and pain, to make you a “stronger person” or a “more spiritual being”. You are not going to receive some kind of divine medal, or an academic achievement star next to your name when you finally kick the bucket one day. You cannot become more spiritual, because you already are all of that completely. You are born of Spirit and you are a powerful creator of your own life experience. You are a divine being, a deity in jeans and a t-shirt.

As long as you think that the cause of your problem is ‘out there’ – as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering – the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim, that you’re suffering in paradise ~ Byron Katie

Your journey along the path of life is all about the perspective you choose. Some of us prefer to learn lessons, while others choose to explore and enjoy all that life has to offer. Do we all make “mistakes” along the way. Sure, we do! But some of us prefer to make discoveries, instead of mistakes. Coming to a new-found awareness through exploration of all that life has to offer is very different from “learning the hard way” by making mistakes. Discovery exudes a quest for abundance, prosperity, gratitude and well-being, while making errors smacks of a lack consciousness, victim-hood and a scarcity mentality. Believing that we are here to “learn through our mistakes” is an insult to our true spiritual heritage. It supports the assumption that Spirit, Source or God is somehow incompetent or made a mistake with us. We are created in the image of the Divine; we are an expression and a celebration of the Divine. We are not flawed, or sub-standard, or weak or “dumb”. We may be temporarily disconnected, misguided or confused, but at our core we are not defective or second-rate. Your soul knows its true mission. We are not here to make mistakes. We are here to make discoveries, to become aware, to unveil, to observe and to celebrate.

You may not like to hear this in the midst of your earthly agony and anguish, but you are a flawless, crystal clear, meta-dimensional snapshot of God’s image in high-definition Technicolor.  There is nothing we are supposed to learn, there is no exam to pass. In our original form we were perfection personified. We come from a faultless state of Pure Consciousness and Celestial Power; we are the product of Infinite Creative Intelligence and Everlasting Unconditional Love. And we still are that original cosmic entity, but we chose this human life to enjoy an amazing physical experience, combined with a profound spiritual adventure!

Pain is a relatively objective, physical phenomenon; suffering is our psychological resistance to what happens. Events may create physical pain, but they do not in themselves create suffering. Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is… The only problem in your life is your mind’s resistance to life as it unfolds ~ Dan Millman

Instead of coming into this time-space reality to ‘graduate’, we are here to achieve two simple goals: to have a spiritual escapade, and to fulfill a meaningful human mission. Spiritually you are here to evolve and expand your already perfect spiritual beingness. Yes, indeed, you are such an awesome metaphysical marvel that the Universe wants even more of you! And your ultimate soul purpose is not achieved through suffering or lack, but through enthusiastic exploration and thrilling life experiences. Combined with your spiritual quest, your human mission in this lifetime is to create or do something meaningful that will make the world a better place.  Your true life calling is to one day leave behind some sort of legacy that will ensure an even more exhilarating and fulfilling Earth experience for future generations. And if you believe in reincarnation, those future generations are very likely to include you.

We are all cosmic shareholders in this amazing adventure camp called Planet Earth. It is a spiritual playground with timeshare, and each and every one of us has a duty towards its continued upkeep, improvement and expansion. But you don’t have to become rich and famous, or highly spiritual to achieve this, neither do you have to be Newton, Ghandi, Picasso, or the Pope to complete your human mission successfully. To each his own. Each person’s life purpose is unique and equally meaningful. Mother Teresa was once asked what ordinary people can do to promote world peace. Her answer was uncomplicated: “Go home and love your family”.

© 2013 Anthon St Maarten