Jason Versey's Blog - Posts Tagged "reaping-and-sowing"
DO WE REALLY REAP WHAT WE SOW?
It has been said that the world is but a mirror that returns to us the reflection of ourselves. If we angrily sneer at her, she sneers right back but if we smile at her, she willfully smiles, in return, with the same beautiful intention. If we can fundamentally agree and accept this as a reliable truth then our understanding will further deepen and eventually lead us to the awareness that everything (yes, everything) is comprised of a never ending interaction of cause and effect and nothing can dissociate us from this verity. From our most insignificant actions, words and thoughts, this truth rules supremely with complete omnipotence. Therefore, it is rational to accept that every circumstance of our lives is constrained within a logical, harmonious and systematic sequence. Within that progression is the clandestine wisdom that every cause of every situation is controlled within itself. The spiritual law of ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’ is as invisible to the eye (and yet no less powerful and existent) as Newton's law of universal gravitation. And no one can deny, dupe or dodge it. For the Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies this is Karma, in the tradition of Western philosophy it is referred to as Causality or Causation, in Christianity it is emphasized as Reaping and Sowing (Gal 6:7), in Spiritism it is called the Law of Cause and Effect, in Wicca it is called the Rule of Three, in New Age and Theosophy it is referred to as the Law of Return or Threefold Law. For the sake of time and brevity I will not delve into the differences of each philosophy (please feel free to do so on your own) but I will tell you the concept of each are eerily similar to one another and I believe are founded in a common universal truth.
In the physical realm, if we touch a flame the effect is a painful burn and nothing will prevent the resulting blisters from coming upon us. Until the harmonious sequence of events works its way out nothing can be done to impede that bodily anguish from coming…not through cursing nor through prayer. That pain befalls us all.
In the realm of spirit and mind so too are we governed by this. If we touch the fires of hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, and lust we will eventually feel their searing flame. All of us who touch it must suffer the inevitable consequences. Nothing will stop that pain from coming not cursing nor prayer. That pain will ultimately manifest itself. It’s as simple as “What goes up must come down”, cause and effect. The above mentioned conditions of the mind and spirit are properly called evil, for they are the works of the “Self” that try to undermine or challenge, in ignorance, this universal law. (Like an unlearned child we keep touching that flame). And as we touch these flames we are, inescapably, led into a mind of internal turmoil and perplexing disharmony within. The unavoidable results are realized in the outward conditions of unhealthiness, tribulation and disappointment coupled with sorrow, hurt and hopelessness. Alternatively, the good news is, love, kindness, goodwill, purity and peace (all of which are selfless conditions) have a soothing effect upon our souls and being in harmony with the law what is realized is health of spirit, the attainment of wisdom, peacefulness, contentment, achievement and good fortune.
A thorough disciplined understanding of this great law (which pervades throughout all of time and space) eventually leads us to the attainment of the respectful state of mind that we call compliance or better worded…obedience. When we finally come to the understanding that living in harmony with uprightness and love is the supreme ruler of our existence and that (likewise) we recognize that all adverse painful conditions is the outcome of our own disobedience to this law (then and only then) will we find true peace in our lives. Such a self-controlled understanding further leads us down a path of true power and strength. It’s upon embracing this wisdom that an authentic life of true happiness and success can be built. To “exercise” our spirits and minds to be long-suffering under all circumstances and to endure ALL conditions as necessary elements to our “training” is to eventually triumph over our painful situations by putting into practice our new found obedience to the law. By doing so, we put to death that potential for darkness and evil within us and all its repercussions.
Those that can identify and be obedient while working in harmony with its truth, in fact, conquers darkness forever. Whatever is built can never be demolished because the source of all power as well as weakness is built from within. For the mysteries of all contentment and bliss as well as all misery and unhappiness can also be found there.
Do you know anyone like Lonny Lament?
Lonny, here, often says he feels captive to his current negative circumstances and daily bemoans his lot and living conditions. He inwardly curses the destiny that seems to bind him and has searched, in vain, for a more fruitful life. He is frustrated and often unhappy. The shackles of destitution and poverty hang heavily upon him and he is friendless and alone with an intense desire for his load in life to be lightened. Yet, his burdens continue and he is shrouded in increasing darkness. He complains incessantly and has become the poster child for self-pity. He blames his parents, his birth, his employer, Wall Street, Main Street, the government and all the other unjust entities and powers that have plunged him into hardship while simultaneously lifting up others around him to heightened levels of prosperity and ease of life. “It is just not fair!” He cries. What advice would you give Mike or anyone like him? Here’s mine.
I would offer Mr. Lament a solution that would bring about an improved condition in his life if he would, simply, make a commitment to cultivate his inner life. Perhaps he would scoff and say that my guidance was empty and ridiculous. But then I would say it only seems so upon first sight but that if he’d venture closer and commit to undertaking this walk with me he would begin to eradicate his weaknesses while strengthening the spiritual might within himself which will eventually change his circumstances for the better.
The Truth Is….
Quite simple....actually. In order to begin changing our outward circumstances we must first stop complaining and fault finding. None of the things we complain about are the cause of our hardships. The root cause is within ourselves. The good news is that where we find the cause, there too is the cure. I have discovered (sadly, through my own personal experiences) that the very fact that we complain demonstrates that we actually deserve our quandary. It is evidence that we lack faith which is the absolute cornerstone of all of our efforts for permanent improvement. To comprehend the universal law of reaping what we sow one must understand, emphatically, that there is no place for complaining and to worry is spiritual suicide.
Self-pity is the sworn enemy of your ambition. It is the number one killer of your aspirations and goals. Give it a foothold in your life and you’ll chase away every dream, dreamt and every friend, befriended.”-A Walk with Prudence
When we complain, by our very attitude of mind, we are strengthening the chains that bind us and are drawing upon ourselves the very gloom and darkness that we are swathed in. If we change our outlook on life then our outward life will change (The world we live in is but a mirror in which each of us is a reflection of ourselves). What we then must do is build ourselves up in the faith and knowledge of this truth and make ourselves worthy of better surroundings and better opportunities. So, you might ask, how do we do this?
In short, if we indeed reap what we sow, then it makes perfect sense that we must be sure that we are making the best of our current situations by being grateful and thankful for what we currently have. We must come to a centered place, within, that allows us to begin to be good stewards and appreciative of all that we’ve been given…no matter how shabby or small. And doing so with pride, gratitude and love. We cannot deceive ourselves into believing that we can simply step into abundant advantages while disregarding the smaller more insignificant ones. Honestly, if we could then whatever improvement we would experience would only be temporary and we’d quickly fall back into the same difficult situation again. (Simply because the lessons that were needed to be learned were thwarted and or bypassed) Remember there is a logical, harmonious and systematic sequence to everything…no one can deny, dupe or dodge it. We reap what we sow. If we are friendless then we must become a friend by opening ourselves up to selfless service and care to others. If we have limited means and humble living conditions then we must learn to take delight and care in them. We must prepare our plain food with diligence and set our modest tables with appreciation and cheer while maintaining our humble homes with an inner virtuous warmth and outward cleanliness and purity. By doing these little things we prepare ourselves for the logical, harmonious, systematic sequence of better and bigger things to come. And when they do, we will be well prepared to receive them. So what are these bigger or better things?
Sowing and Reaping Real Wealth
Instead of making financial wealth our major aim, we should all be aiming for selfless service to others with the pursuit of making ourselves useful for the common good of mankind. In order to become authentically rich we must first become virtuous. It is therefore extremely unwise to aim directly towards prosperity by making it our one and only object in life. To do this, ultimately, sets forth a cause and effect of destruction upon ourselves. Money does not constitute true wealth, nor position, nor power. For a rich man void of virtue is, in reality, poor but the man that is outwardly poor but rich in virtue is truly rich. In the midst of his physical poverty he is surely journeying towards the spiritual prosperity of abounding happiness and gladness. To be free from true impoverishment is to break from the bondage of self. Lust, hatred, anger, vanity, pride, self-indulgent and self-seeking behaviors always lead to genuine spiritual depravity and weakness. The real elements of our poverty and weakness can only be conquered and overwhelmed by the power that is continually evolving within us. For the devout learner, the logical harmonious systematic sequence of personal growth of the universal law of whatever we reap…we sow ultimately leads us to the highest virtue attainable and the greatest riches among all of mankind, self-mastery. There we will discover, within us, the deeper, everlasting, experience of abounding love, wisdom, patience, purity, gentleness, grace, mercy, humility and true power of spirit…the very presence of God.
In the physical realm, if we touch a flame the effect is a painful burn and nothing will prevent the resulting blisters from coming upon us. Until the harmonious sequence of events works its way out nothing can be done to impede that bodily anguish from coming…not through cursing nor through prayer. That pain befalls us all.
In the realm of spirit and mind so too are we governed by this. If we touch the fires of hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, and lust we will eventually feel their searing flame. All of us who touch it must suffer the inevitable consequences. Nothing will stop that pain from coming not cursing nor prayer. That pain will ultimately manifest itself. It’s as simple as “What goes up must come down”, cause and effect. The above mentioned conditions of the mind and spirit are properly called evil, for they are the works of the “Self” that try to undermine or challenge, in ignorance, this universal law. (Like an unlearned child we keep touching that flame). And as we touch these flames we are, inescapably, led into a mind of internal turmoil and perplexing disharmony within. The unavoidable results are realized in the outward conditions of unhealthiness, tribulation and disappointment coupled with sorrow, hurt and hopelessness. Alternatively, the good news is, love, kindness, goodwill, purity and peace (all of which are selfless conditions) have a soothing effect upon our souls and being in harmony with the law what is realized is health of spirit, the attainment of wisdom, peacefulness, contentment, achievement and good fortune.
A thorough disciplined understanding of this great law (which pervades throughout all of time and space) eventually leads us to the attainment of the respectful state of mind that we call compliance or better worded…obedience. When we finally come to the understanding that living in harmony with uprightness and love is the supreme ruler of our existence and that (likewise) we recognize that all adverse painful conditions is the outcome of our own disobedience to this law (then and only then) will we find true peace in our lives. Such a self-controlled understanding further leads us down a path of true power and strength. It’s upon embracing this wisdom that an authentic life of true happiness and success can be built. To “exercise” our spirits and minds to be long-suffering under all circumstances and to endure ALL conditions as necessary elements to our “training” is to eventually triumph over our painful situations by putting into practice our new found obedience to the law. By doing so, we put to death that potential for darkness and evil within us and all its repercussions.
Those that can identify and be obedient while working in harmony with its truth, in fact, conquers darkness forever. Whatever is built can never be demolished because the source of all power as well as weakness is built from within. For the mysteries of all contentment and bliss as well as all misery and unhappiness can also be found there.
Do you know anyone like Lonny Lament?
Lonny, here, often says he feels captive to his current negative circumstances and daily bemoans his lot and living conditions. He inwardly curses the destiny that seems to bind him and has searched, in vain, for a more fruitful life. He is frustrated and often unhappy. The shackles of destitution and poverty hang heavily upon him and he is friendless and alone with an intense desire for his load in life to be lightened. Yet, his burdens continue and he is shrouded in increasing darkness. He complains incessantly and has become the poster child for self-pity. He blames his parents, his birth, his employer, Wall Street, Main Street, the government and all the other unjust entities and powers that have plunged him into hardship while simultaneously lifting up others around him to heightened levels of prosperity and ease of life. “It is just not fair!” He cries. What advice would you give Mike or anyone like him? Here’s mine.
I would offer Mr. Lament a solution that would bring about an improved condition in his life if he would, simply, make a commitment to cultivate his inner life. Perhaps he would scoff and say that my guidance was empty and ridiculous. But then I would say it only seems so upon first sight but that if he’d venture closer and commit to undertaking this walk with me he would begin to eradicate his weaknesses while strengthening the spiritual might within himself which will eventually change his circumstances for the better.
The Truth Is….
Quite simple....actually. In order to begin changing our outward circumstances we must first stop complaining and fault finding. None of the things we complain about are the cause of our hardships. The root cause is within ourselves. The good news is that where we find the cause, there too is the cure. I have discovered (sadly, through my own personal experiences) that the very fact that we complain demonstrates that we actually deserve our quandary. It is evidence that we lack faith which is the absolute cornerstone of all of our efforts for permanent improvement. To comprehend the universal law of reaping what we sow one must understand, emphatically, that there is no place for complaining and to worry is spiritual suicide.
Self-pity is the sworn enemy of your ambition. It is the number one killer of your aspirations and goals. Give it a foothold in your life and you’ll chase away every dream, dreamt and every friend, befriended.”-A Walk with Prudence
When we complain, by our very attitude of mind, we are strengthening the chains that bind us and are drawing upon ourselves the very gloom and darkness that we are swathed in. If we change our outlook on life then our outward life will change (The world we live in is but a mirror in which each of us is a reflection of ourselves). What we then must do is build ourselves up in the faith and knowledge of this truth and make ourselves worthy of better surroundings and better opportunities. So, you might ask, how do we do this?
In short, if we indeed reap what we sow, then it makes perfect sense that we must be sure that we are making the best of our current situations by being grateful and thankful for what we currently have. We must come to a centered place, within, that allows us to begin to be good stewards and appreciative of all that we’ve been given…no matter how shabby or small. And doing so with pride, gratitude and love. We cannot deceive ourselves into believing that we can simply step into abundant advantages while disregarding the smaller more insignificant ones. Honestly, if we could then whatever improvement we would experience would only be temporary and we’d quickly fall back into the same difficult situation again. (Simply because the lessons that were needed to be learned were thwarted and or bypassed) Remember there is a logical, harmonious and systematic sequence to everything…no one can deny, dupe or dodge it. We reap what we sow. If we are friendless then we must become a friend by opening ourselves up to selfless service and care to others. If we have limited means and humble living conditions then we must learn to take delight and care in them. We must prepare our plain food with diligence and set our modest tables with appreciation and cheer while maintaining our humble homes with an inner virtuous warmth and outward cleanliness and purity. By doing these little things we prepare ourselves for the logical, harmonious, systematic sequence of better and bigger things to come. And when they do, we will be well prepared to receive them. So what are these bigger or better things?
Sowing and Reaping Real Wealth
Instead of making financial wealth our major aim, we should all be aiming for selfless service to others with the pursuit of making ourselves useful for the common good of mankind. In order to become authentically rich we must first become virtuous. It is therefore extremely unwise to aim directly towards prosperity by making it our one and only object in life. To do this, ultimately, sets forth a cause and effect of destruction upon ourselves. Money does not constitute true wealth, nor position, nor power. For a rich man void of virtue is, in reality, poor but the man that is outwardly poor but rich in virtue is truly rich. In the midst of his physical poverty he is surely journeying towards the spiritual prosperity of abounding happiness and gladness. To be free from true impoverishment is to break from the bondage of self. Lust, hatred, anger, vanity, pride, self-indulgent and self-seeking behaviors always lead to genuine spiritual depravity and weakness. The real elements of our poverty and weakness can only be conquered and overwhelmed by the power that is continually evolving within us. For the devout learner, the logical harmonious systematic sequence of personal growth of the universal law of whatever we reap…we sow ultimately leads us to the highest virtue attainable and the greatest riches among all of mankind, self-mastery. There we will discover, within us, the deeper, everlasting, experience of abounding love, wisdom, patience, purity, gentleness, grace, mercy, humility and true power of spirit…the very presence of God.
