Clean Up Your Act

Sacrifice is a notion totally unknown to God.
(A Course in Miracles)

You hear often in the spiritual community that we have to abstain from lust, greed, competition, status, and what have you. Is that really true? You probably have areas in your life as well where a fire is bubbling below the surface and you feel that you have to negate something within in order to comply with our kosher spiritual notions, or have you?

Shadow work is the willingness to open the hood and having a look at the engine. If something inside feels abused by your notion of spirituality than you have to respect that voice even though the desire appears dark to you. When it comes to shadow work it turns out that you have two subconscious forces to deal with, the "holier than thou" voice that minds that you even dare to listen to your shadow, and the demonic side that encourages shadow work because it surmises that it can take you or a ride down the dark alley.

A Tao traveler faces everything that comes her way, no matter how kosher or dirty it appears. Dealing in dark symbols is always tough, and chances are you face turbulence in your life whenever you engage with them. The problem is you just don't know whether it is the "holier than thou" part of you that sabotages you or whether the Tao wants you to change direction. Typically it is both. Simply accept this rocky period. What else can you do, sweep the dust under the carpet? If life confronts you with these temptations they must be meaningful to you. The Tao only cares for your wholeness and peace of mind.   So be ready to get your hands dirty a little, but with the aim to clean up. The intent has to be a kosher one when you do shadow work, otherwise your demon will take you for a ride.

You don't have to sacrifice anything along the Tao. If you have a desire you want to express you will find a way to do it without undermining your spiritual journey.You only think you are missing something if you haven't quite connected with an authentic need. All your authentic needs will be satisfied along the Way. Perhaps you have to transform lust into sexual passion, greed into a creative outlets, competition into just having fun while playing and status into respect for what you do and who you are. Along the Way everything you do is authentic - this is your Way, your idiosyncratic journey. Along the Tao you can have it all.  Don't be afraid or ashamed of any of your desires; just let the Tao purify them for you and then run with them.