Spiritual Milestones

July 30, 2008

I am always somewhat tentative about laying out the seven steps to this, the five steps to that, and the three foundations of something else. But alas, sometimes it just works. So, let me share with you the three major milestones of spiritual growth of which most serious Catholics would recognize as part of their tradition and heritage.

Our journey into the expanded consciousness of God has many detours. This isn’t one of them.

The first stage is called the purgative stage. Especially as one embraces the concept of original sin, there’s the obvious need to ditch that monkey. However, if you believe that we’re created in the image of God and more from a state of original innocence, then the purging, cleansing, is more about one’s EGO than what might have happened however many mythical years ago in some garden.

Next comes the illuminative stage wherein we begin to see more fully who we are. That means that we recognize the divine that mixes with the human. We realize that we’re one with God as Jesus had prayed. It’s always exciting when we see the light go on in various areas of our life.

Finally we move closer to the unitive stage and we let go of so many things in this world that we thought we wanted, and we relaize that we only want to return home and be ONE with our Creator. We finally realize that we can’t threaten people into being good, we can’t hold the fear of hell over their head, and in fact, we’re helpless to do anything but LOVE everyone. It’s a great gamble filled with great uncertainty.

Are you there yet?

Can you hear me now?

Can you just love everyone now?

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary