After several years of fully engaging here and in other public forums, conferences, interviews and mentoring work, I began to realize the contemporary spiritual world was not for me. I had never wanted to be a spiritual teacher but as I continued to participate it became increasingly difficult to avoid both the title and the role. My love for the perennial wisdom and my calling to share what I have learned and understood was at odds with what I saw as the outdated position of ‘guru’ in contemporary society. The guru model is heavily weighted down with historical expectations of infallibility; specialness; and the unhealthy power dynamic between teacher and student. None of this struck me as being relevant or desirable.
I also felt that the spiritual world was largely disassociated from the rest of life and operated as a niche outlier. The key lessons of spirituality – self-knowledge, ethical behaviour, kindness, the recognition of a greater context than our small limited selves, and the liberating discovery of our true nature should be an integral part of everyday, ordinary learning for those who are interested, and not restricted to ashrams, meditation halls and specialised websites. While I respected and honoured the work of many teachers and traditions, I longed for plain, jargon-free language and a fresh updated approach.
I was also aware of the corruption on all levels (sexual, financial, emotional, physical, spiritual) occurring in many of these same ashrams and meditation centres where the stated aim is the liberation of humanity but which unfortunately often descend into prisons of control and exploitation.
After taking time out to reflect, my ongoing inquiry now is how to harness the best and most valuable learning from the wisdom traditions, and bring it right smack bang into the marketplace where the vast majority of us live. How to democratise and make easily accessible the spiritual dimension of life while hopefully leaving behind some of its more problematic aspects: outmoded hierarchies, empty rituals, inflexible belief systems, corruption, and the perils of the ‘follower’ mentality.
The initial purpose of ‘The End of Seeking’ website was to clarify and simplify the spiritual path while encouraging self-reliance and objectivity. Building on that foundation, the evolving purpose now is to help dissolve the boundaries between our spiritual and our everyday lives: to explore, understand and integrate all aspects of ourselves and to discover what it means to be fully human in our vulnerability, capability, challenges and unlimited potential.
I hope this strikes a chord with you and you join me in this ongoing exploration.
Anne
Hello Anne. I’m very glad that you are back and have things to share. What you’ve written sounds like it’s in line with “…after enlightenment, chopping wood and carrying water.” I feel that tension often, but more in the form of a question as I don’t know what enlightenment even is. All I think I know is that we a part of a seemingly seamless mystery. Like a fish trying to understand the water it’s spent its entire life in. I’m looking forward to your insights. Thank you for offering them.
Yes!
I have always loved the aim of your website, ever since I first found it. After spending 20 years in the religious world, I am very aware of the power dynamic in spiritual circles. And, since getting free of that thought pattern, I shrink from people that I feel are trying to "get" something from me - my money, my adoration, my obedience - whatever. What I LOVE about your message is that you just want to be an ordinary person, sharing your story and wisdom with anyone that might find it helpful. I don't feel any manipulation or control on your part. I am excited that you have a fresh and expanded vision for your website, and I look…
Thank you Anne. The initial End of Seeking website did what it was supposed to do for me. Ironically it introduced me to Rupert Spira's question ("Are you aware?") that helped open up the kind of liberation you want to continue. I have sensed for quite a long time now there is no "spiritual life" (or work life or married life, etc.); there is only life.