When the seeker becomes a finder

 An artist sometimes likes to drink a little for some extra inspiration. The first novel or two may have been created under the partial influence of literal spirits. Unfortunately, the success doesn’t repeat itself. There comes a time with every compulsive measure where the occasional becomes the regular, the compulsive habit becomes the addiction. That’s when all creativity is lost. 

The spiritual quest is similar. The so-called ‘dark night of the soul” doesn’t interfere with the spiritual quest as it is often described, it initially accentuates it. By letting the ego roam freely for a day or two, new insights are gained, some successful letting go processes are set into motion, etc. However, just in the writer’s drinking example, leaving the occasional ego experience behind doesn’t work either. The writer has to face his drinking problem and has to start over again, while the spiritual seekers have to awake to the ego game should they ever aspire to become finders again.

 

There was a time when I wrote about the last temptation, the one persistent interference that the ego hides in and refuses to let go. A friend said to me at that time that it is the ego that writes about the “last obstacle.” It was a good point. The ego cannot be beat but it can be recognized while at work. Anyone who embarks on this spiritual path becomes a finder for the simple reason that there is no alternative. Recognize the illusion and cease being a seeker.