Theos-Talk Archives (July 2002 Message tt00201)

Phil Servedio: The most common Errors made by Westerners on the Spiritual Path.

>From beginningless time until now, all beings have mistaken themselves for phenomena and, having lost sight of their original mind, are influenced by phenomena, and end up having the scope of their observations defined by boundaries large and small. 

-Surangama Sutra, Gautama Buddha 

I thought that this would be a top ten list, but upon secondary consideration, it became clear that the number and kinds of errors that can be made are "as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach". And come to think of it, I've made most of them, so I am an expert in this field! 

The main thrust of this essay is that as eastern esoteric dharma has been integrated more and more into the west, many a spirtual teacher has faced obstacles in students that are endemic to the western mindset. Certainly most 'errors', or incorrect views, assumptions, imputations and concepts are universal, spanning the globe. There is a certain 'spin' to the errors that have a ring of familiarity to the west, as well as a brand new style of foolishness. The main reason for the 'new foolishness' is that the western attitude and orientation has been excessively dominated by a rational mind that is characterized by linear thinking, far reaching conceptualization, introspection and analysis, a black and white mentality, and perhaps the most blaring of all characteristics, the reification of rationality itself. 

You would think that with our lengthy training in math and science, critical thinking, and the scientific method it would in some way create a happier and more enlightened society, but that is not the case. In fact, it appears that our western mindset and life of thinking and conceptualization is a runaway train with no brake, and a cause for a great deal of excess complexity, depression and a host of other mental afflications, all leading to profits of pharmaceutical dispensary of Prozac, Zoloft, Valium and other mood altering pharmacopia. And this excessive mentation does not escape the aspirant on the spiritual path. Indeed, many a teacher has thrown up his or her hands in frustration dealing with western students. Therefore I had an idea of listing and categorizing the most common of errant views that not only are plain wrong, but upon which fixation or clinging to these ideas prevent growth and only help to prolong suffering. 

Of course, errors are not only the exclusive domain of beginners, but there are 'lions at the gate' at all points and stages in the spectrum of consciousness. One obvious danger is similar to the reason why second year airline pilots are susceptible to crashes: "a little knowledge (or experience) is dangerous". Based on knowing the ropes, gaining a little insight, one can feel that s/he has completely scaled the wall of human suffering and ignorance, only to find that over time, to one's surprise, there is a lot that has yet to be realized or known. So here goes, and certainly it's not an exhaustive list, but ones that I know from personal experience and observation. 

Beginner Mistakes 

Attempting to figure out the truth with the mind Using the tools that are one's disposal is a natural strategy, and nothing is wrong with that. But to think that one is going to excel in all human endeavours by the same tools and methods that got him or her through Trigonometry class is a huge mistake. What is not seen is that engaging the tendency to figure it all out is the very thing that is preventing innate wisdom from going forward. 
A large part of early practice is to quiet down this attempt to figure it out through intentional or discursive thought, which is basically a strategy of fear, anyway - figuring things out is a way to keep on top of things, a form of aversion or holding back, not wanting to touch the unpleasantness of existence. 

Low spiritual self-esteem: I'm not worthy or it's impossible for me. 

Straight from Wayne's World ("We're not worthy!"), this idea is buried deep in the western psyche and is probably a result of the tendency to over-analyze, or based on the assumption that since most of the esoteric traditions are from the "East" it's not geared or possible for the westerner. 

It's gonna be real easy 

The opposite of low self-esteem, a form of hubris which is probably a compensatory mechanism. Also derives from a lack of understanding about the spiritual process. Of course, it may be easy for some, but the concept surrounding it is simply an obstruction. 

Excessive conceptualizing, analyzing and criticizing 

Some folks get into self analysis and criticism, hoping that is the key to innate wisdom. As stated in the early paragraphs, this tendency to over-conceptualize and analyze is part of the 'mental knot' or tendency that characterizes the western seeker. It is more often than not simple habitual patterning that has to be eased for any growth to occur. Spirituality is not a glorified talk therapy session. 

Avoidance of difficulty 

Wanting a sanitized version of spirituality, going the workshop route, touching the water just enough to get a taste but not wanting to really get involved, is just another strategy of fear and avoidance. Difficult things are bound to arise sooner or later for all but a rare few, and building castles of avoidance is just prolonging the inevitable. 

Seeking of difficulty, reifying difficulty 

Realizing the above, one throws himself or herself into difficult situations strategically to work through it faster or more intently. Or volunteering for rough service assignments as a badge, means to look good, or that somehow noble causes get you spiritual brownie points. Often borne out of a passionate, emotional type who is hooked into the chaos and energy of crisis (read: Bill Clinton). 

Belief and hope of an 'end state' 

The hope that one will arrive at some end state is one of the major foundations of ignorance and suffering. It is hope itself which is the issue, which only serves to delay or push one's freedom into the future. 
Because one is suffering, the hope for a state of blissful invulnerability is extremely strong and perhaps inevitable, but a major obstacle. Often it is the hope for an extended womblike experience outside of the mother, which is the opposite of mature spirituality which involves heightened sensitivity and vulnerability, and a deep understanding of how states are supported by causes and conditions. And the hope for a 'state', and the conception that freedom is some kind of condition is based upon a lack of understanding about the nature of things and what state are supported by. 

Seeking of pleasurable states of experience for themselves One taste of transcendent bliss can keep someone trying to duplicate that experience for the rest of one's life. But a strategy of seeking pleasure is simply branching out of the addictive tendency into the realm of spirit and is another form of the desire for extended 'wombness'. 

Reifying energetic experiences Related to the above strategy of spiritual pleasure seeking, one assumes that blissful energetic experiences are what spirituality is about and if one is not having them, there is 'something wrong', setting up a deeper strategy to re-invent those blissful experiences. Mistaking subjective analysis for Witnessing or innate wisdom. 

Hearing about or reading about Witness Consciousness, non-dual Awareness, or Transcendent Wisdom, one attempts to become wise by making an effort with heavy intent to analyze oneself and offer concepts about how one is or tends to be. While useful to some extent, subjective analysis is still in the realm of the conceptual mind, and this tendency has to be relaxed in order for the innate Witness to become evident. 

Excessively relying upon external authorities for wisdom 

While I do not want to add any more to the tripe of anti-Guru sentiment, there is a tendency in some to just hand it over to the Guru, and never grow in the relationship, keeping a spiritual daddy in place. Often borne out of the desire to be safe, to be on the 'good side' (thank you Chogyam Trungpa), one never absorbs the wisdom of the Guru into his or her own consciousness, as this would require personal responsibility. The tendency to keep projections in place is a strong one, and they have to be reeled in and owned sooner or later in order for growth to occur. Keeping the Guru in place is tantamount to not seeing the Guru as one's own inherent wisdom. For some it is just a form of laziness, others a form of 'superstar fascination' that never is let go of. Gurupie-dom has to be transcended sooner or later, even if one stays with the same Guru for the entire life. 

Comparing and contrasting one's experience and insight with others 
Often borne out of low-self esteem, a paranoid fear that one 'does not have it' or 'will never have it', or basic adolescent competitiveness, this tendency is sheer stupidity. But I confess I've done it a lot! Underlying it all is the basic ignorance of the innate wisdom of pure Being. 

Wanting to be free but wanting to stay the same People may want to grow spiritually but like all other humans they fear change and with the mechanism of ego in place, it fears the potential threat that spirituality represents. It's ordinary to want to have it both ways, to 'have your cake and eat it too' but the 'you' who is being clung to and identified with is the very root of one's illusion and problem. 

~ continued ~ 

full article http://www.geocities.com/mi_nok/mistake.html 
http://www.heartsave.org 

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