When we make a choice, take an action, perpetuate a pattern, however good or bad or anywhere along that spectrum it seems, who are we doing it for? So often, we do things for reasons that are not our own, and not often for our highest good or for our spiritual path. We make daily, weekly and yearly life choices that are either elevating or deepening for us, or not. Sometimes we choose in a misaligned way because those choices please our parents, our community, our culture, or our partner, our friends, or our own belief systems that control and damage. How often are we actually showing up for ourselves? How often are we doing something for the only reason that it supports our deepest experience? How often are we acting in alignment with our soul’s deepest truth?
Some of the most substantial growth can come from asking ourselves, "Who am I showing up for?" "Am I really showing up for me?" "If I'm not, who am I doing this for, and why?" "If I were to show up for myself, what would that look like? Would I be doing this right now? Or would I be doing something else?" “If it were only me, what would I be choosing?” Questioning the roots of our choices, fears, hesitations, and beliefs is always the first step to re-aligning with ourselves and gaining clarity on the direction we really need to go.
When we're eating well or when we're eating unhealthfully, who are we doing that for? When we are "good" with our diets, are we doing that for us? For someone else? When we start a new project or venture or career, who are we doing that for? When we begin a yoga practice, or a meditation practice, or something else spiritual, why are we doing that? Who are we doing it for?
Spiritual perseverance, or netzach, requires that we, at times, be willing to be alone in our quest. That we’re willing to enter the unknown of the Nothing and the uncomfortable nature of spiritual tests, by ourselves. That we’re willing to make challenging decisions despite protest from those around us or from our own fear, excuse and anxiety filled ego. In fact, choosing our true dharma and aligning with our true path at the protest, resistance, disapproval, or even violent opposition is a spiritual test that comes up in everyone’s path and has been part of the path of all spiritual leaders and groups in history.
Conscious observation about why it is we are doing what we are doing and choosing what we are choosing is not only crucial, but required for a spiritual path and for all aspects of our lives. The constant tests of staying true to the integrity of one’s path and committed to deepening our connection with deep consciousness present themselves in small and big ways, every day of our lives. Choosing our highest aligned path is a choice we make over and over again, every day. Or not. What matters most is simply showing up. Keep showing up. Keep showing up.
