A religious or spiritual path that demands that I follow an external set of rules based on the experience of others does not appeal to me. I value paths that encourage me to seek my own experiences through inner exploration and discovery.
Many a doctrine is like a window pane. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth.
Kahlil Gibran
Sufism is one such path. Guidance is required but it is up to the spiritual seeker to do the work necessary to gain enlightenment. Click here for my video interview on the principles of Sufism with Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, the leader of the Shadhiliyya Sufi order in the United States, and the founder of both the Shadhiliyya Sufi Center and the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism.
Self-Realization Fellowship is another path that demands much of its followers. As founder Paramahansa Yogananda said in a Thursday evening talk at the Self-Realization Fellowship temple in Encinitas, California, some sixty years ago:
Most religions try to hold followers by rousing their emotions or intellect, or insisting on blind belief in theological dogma. But the Masters of India hold you by your own realization. Never forget that. This path of Self-Realization Fellowship is the way to know Truth yourself through step-by-step realization. . . . So get buys. Do not waste your time. Day and night have unceasing devotion for God. You are bound to reach the Goal. Your own experience will hold you to this path. That is the only kind of seeker we want on this path. I could teach in a way that would stimulate your emotions or your intellectual curiosity, but I want to hold you only buy your awakening Self-realization. Let your own realization of God be your loyalty to this cause. If it doesn’t give you that, good-bye.
Click here to view all my posts about Paramahansa Yogananda and Self-Realization Fellowship.
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ABOUT PHIL BOLSTA
Phil is the author of Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything, a collection of 45 inspiring, life-changing stories from prominent people he interviewed, including Joan Borysenko, Deepak Chopra, geneticist Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed sportswriter Frank Deford, Dr. Larry Dossey, Wayne Dyer, Dan Millman, Caroline Myss, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, Dr. Bernie Siegel, James Van Praagh, singer Billy Vera, Doreen Virtue, Neale Donald Walsch, and bassist Victor Wooten.
Here is a three-minute video that introduces you to Phil and his book. Click here to buy Sixty Seconds. Click here to ask Phil to add you to his e-mail list for updates on his blog and books.
Reading this book is like spending a few minutes face to face with each of the contributors and listening to their personal stories. Click here to read unsolicited testimonials from readers. Learn more by visiting the official Sixty Seconds website.
Sixty Seconds was one of three finalists in the General Interest/How-To category at the 12th annual Visionary Awards presented by COVR (Coalition of Visionary Resources) in Denver on June 27, 2009.
Tags: devotion, hard work, Ibrahim Jaffe, paramahansa yogananda, Self-Realization Fellowship, spiritual path, Sufism
