The First Door.

i have noted, of late, an increasing discontent among those who pursue their belief system with apparent diligence and the complaint seems to be similar in all cases - nothing has changed.  

"i am doing everything required and yet nothing in my life has improved - i am stuck in the same place."

why would that be so ? i know if i train to run, slowly, over time, there is a definite improvement in stamina and distance. so why is it that when it comes to life, i am pretty much stagnant ? i relive the same torments, the same anxiety, the same frustration and anger .. what am i doing wrong ? what am i missing ?

perhaps it may be that we all feel we are smarter than we are.  it's like downloading a new game and not bothering to read the rules - the "i can figure it out as i play - how hard can it be ?" mentality.

any philosophy will have at its core, some basic tenants and while i use the word "basic", this does not mean easy.  in fact, as most will know, if you get the fundamentals wrong, you will never master your chosen sport or skill - you will forever be stuck in the "ok" arena ... even top sportsmen will sometime take a sabbatical and announce to the world that they are going back to work on their basics... it's importance can never be overemphasised !

so what are the essential basic qualifications of any spiritual growth that must be exercised and mastered?

1.  a keen sense of discrimination ( between what is Real and what merely appears to be so ).

2.  dispassion - a detachment based on a true understanding of the ephemeral nature of all mater bound by space and time.

3.  a cultivation of noble qualities enhanced by an continuous attendance of your head and your heart.

4.  a burning urge to reach the Goal - to be that which you seek.

the "how to" for the above is available under the guidelines for each faith but perfect these you must.

there is an ocean of difference between simply understanding and actual experience of that One great Infinite.  and if the Infinite is what you seek, you must first cultivate a love for all that the Infinite encompasses, which is pretty much everything.

a philosophy without love leads to the madness of regimentation 

love without a philosophy is mere superstition 

live well.