All Things Work Together for Good

Perhaps we set out on the spiritual path in hopes of gaining something we count as good in the ‘material' life: we want to be a more peaceful person, to be better able to love and be loved, gain the high opinion of others, or even, to take it to its most unfortunate end – to have some kind of power or influence over others. Or maybe we set out in order to end or avoid something we count as bad in the ‘material’ life such as our own suffering, the cruelty and pain of others, the loss or deficiency of any good thing.  

All of these reasons mean beginning spiritual life in service of the material. 

But if we have a sincere heart and a strong will/desire to know the Truth, we will be graced with conversion (a touch from God that clearly says “I Am”), and then things will turn around. We will see that everything in material life, all of it, good and not so good, is in service of the spiritual life.  When we understand this, then we are getting somewhere.

After living in a Zen Training Center for a few years, I thought living there was great -- except for the inconveniences. Later I realized the inconveniences were the whole point!