On the path of spiritual awakening there are certain traps or distractions that can end up getting us stuck. These traps aren’t necessarily a bad thing, all experiences eventually lead to growth, but it is helpful to label these phenomenon in order to better understand what is delaying our progress.
Control Issues
One trap that many find themselves caught in is the use of manifestation as a form of ego appeasement and control. This is when we attempt to use the power of co-creation as a means to fulfill the desires of the ego or our lower impulses. The lower ego wants us to feel good and feel empowered, again not bad desires, but the issue lies in the attachment to achieving these desires in the easiest way possible. In other words, we want the gold at the end of the rainbow but we don’t want to have to take the journey to the end, instead we look for a short cut to avoid any pain or struggle. Lower ego manifestations can work, in a way, but eventually we will be required to experience the break down that is inevitable. The reward will prove to be false gold and the fulfillment will be empty and meaningless.
Control issues are a big part of this trap. We want to be able to dictate the way things play out through the mind when, in fact, it is the higher self that is ultimately in control. The lower self has a very myopic perspective and is unable to comprehend the entire picture as a whole.This is where virtues like trust and patience come in, our faith in higher power that knows what we need and does not serve our wants. We even must release the control of the breakdown process and the death of the lower ego impulses. Trials and tests will be presented at the appropriate times and even if we comprehend that pain brings growth we still may find the ego attempting to hack this process. The truth is, we can’t trick the higher self and the universe. Divine timing must be complemented with the execution of our will and the power of our intentions.
Denial
Another way that control issues can manifest themselves is through denial of pain and the need to only experience the positive. This is a very common affliction is new age circles. Many of us try to focus only on the love and light so that the lower ego can maintain control. It is the belief that if we refuse to see the darkness than it does not exist. Positive affirmations are a very important part of spiritual growth but there is also a time to acknowledge our inner demons so that they can be cleansed and released. We have to look the ugliest parts of ourselves in the eye so that can be healed. This may be one of the most challenging parts of the process of inner work and it can get more difficult the further along we progress because this is when we begin to cling to our attachment to perfection. We will say things like, “No, there is no way envy is coming up for me now, not after all the work I have done;” thus, refusing to heal the pieces at the very core that do not present themselves until we have engaged in deep healing work.
Healing
The key here is to keep an open mind and to not be so hard on yourself. Life is beautiful but it is challenging, if it was too easy than we would not make any progress. We must relax and enjoy the journey, embracing our imperfections along the way. Loving ourselves enough so that we have the confidence to acknowledge and heal from our mistakes. Blessings!
