I’m starting to read another book today. I’m always working through several at once, but I finished one last week and I’m finishing another this week, so I purchased “Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism” by Chögyam Trungpa. This was written in 1973, but a fellow blogger recommended it to me a couple of months back, after reading my Library Essentials page and thought I would find it interesting.
I found this in the forward, written by the author’s son:
“The inspiration to find the truth, to see what is real, and to lead a genuine life–the culmination of which can be enlightenment–is what underlies every spiritual journey. However, embarking on this journey is rarely as straightforward as we may wish. The journey toward enlightenment ultimately may be both profound and simple, yet the process of understanding that simplicity tends to be multidimensional, if not downright complicated. For in order to understand a spiritual path, we must acknowledge and understand our own mind, now, as it pertains to the journey….No matter what the practice or teaching, ego loves to wait in ambush to appropriate spirituality for its own survival and gain.“
I always get excited when I first start a book and find nuggets of True Wisdom in just taking a cursory glance at the beginning. Now I am excited to put this in my regular readings for my mornings meditations. If it is half as good as I’m anticipating now, I will be reading it more than once and slowly because once I find a kernel of Truth I like to ruminate in it for awhile, so I’m sure my fellow bloggers will be seeing more quotes from this book after I’ve sapped some of it’s Truth into my soul.
The part of the quote I underlined spoke to me as I have found that the journey to spiritual awareness and maturity is similar to learning to walk as a child. There are a lot of falls, scraped knees, bruises, and such along the way, and it shouldn’t be seen as a setback, just embrace such times as part of learning through experience how to travel the path. After growing through those experiences they won’t happen as often, and especially if we pay attention to what we are doing not just mindlessly walking through life.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement over this book. I’m sure I’ll be writing more about it along the Way. 
Wisdom is Found Through Experience 
Thank you for sharing.
Reblogged this on Author, G. D. Grace.
smile always! with metta
So true, that the spiritual path is not straight forward. Yet if we can see where we are going, if there are no sharp turns in the road, the essential leaps of faith will not be present. We will miss that stretching of our souls that results in true growth. Like the Benedictine monks, we start each day with the prayer, ‘Today, I begin again’.
Based on what you’ve written here, I feel you’d love this video by Gangaji. She talks about this journey, and the spiritual traps. Its wonderful. Enjoy it when you get time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYoE8jwGfkQ
This book was written by the teacher of one of my favorite Buddhist writers, a nun called Pema Chodron. Her words of wisdom helped me through some very difficult times. I hope you enjoy the book and come to appreciate the wisdom of Buddhist teachings as I have!
I love Chögyam’s work. Spend time each year at the Shambhala Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colo. where his work is studied and practiced.
I had this book out from the library recently and never got a chance to open it and it had to go back. I know I will love it – I’ll have to check it out again soon. I heard about it from an awesome mind, Duncan Trussell the comedian, Buddhist, and amazing podcaster. He’s taught me so much, and this is a book he recommended. Looking forward to reading your excerpts from it!
Stillness is a raindrop falling in the same place twice
I’m proud to inform you that you’ve been nominated for the “Beautiful Blogger Award”. The rules for the award and the award pic are at http://yessiesuniartie7.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/beatiful-blogger-award/ Congratulations!