A Lesson from the Spirit

Around me is solid black ash. I step, and the dust rises. With each step there is more and more of it in the space, and it becomes hard to breathe. The faster I move, the more of this dust there is; it gets in my eyes, in my hair, inside me.

"Loss of time. You often hurry to do something, to get something, to complete, to wish… And you do not understand that the more you fuss, the more dust you raise around yourself. This dust is invisible to your sight but felt by the soul. The more you fuss, the harder it is for you to walk, because this dust blinds you, this dust keeps you from breathing, and in the end you are lost, lost in space, lost in yourself. You look for a path, but you will not see it until the dust settles and the road opens to your view."

"What kind of dust is this?"

"Your expectations. The more you rush, the more expectations press on you, and you do not just become immobilized, you panic, not seeing the road and not knowing how to breathe. Just stop, do not think about time, do not ponder whether it is early or late; there is only you in the moment, here and now. This is the immutable thing you must believe in. And in this moment, stop watching the time, pushing yourself, pushing others, forcing all the space to suit your needs—this will not bring you what you desire."

"What should I do?"

"Stop, let this dust settle, do not trouble yourself with empty promises, needless expectations—do not trouble yourself. Allow yourself to enjoy what you have now, enjoy who you are, and what you do for your spiritual growth. When you stop chasing time, time will forget about you."

"What does that mean?"

"If you stop forcing yourself and the whole space around you to conform to your needs, things will begin to arrange themselves so that you will start to receive blessings you hadn't even thought of. Letting time pass through you, not trying to hold it or catch up with it, you begin to live and feel the moment here and now, and to receive all the blessings at the time and place where you see yourself."

"Then one should not plan?"

"This is not about planning. It's not that. It's about learning to live consciously, with an understanding of who you are and where you are. It's about acceptance. Where there are expectations, acceptance is always difficult. The more you live by expectations, the harder it will be for you to accept the events that happen to you, to accept the people who surround you, to accept yourself."

"So does that mean one mustn't dream?"

"This isn't about dreams, nor about planning. It's about stopping the chase after time in your expectations. Simply do what should be done, work for your own honor, without forgetting your spirituality, your own development.

When you care for your spirituality, your strength increases within you, helping you perform the work that leads you to your desires—not insistently, not expectantly, but gently and tenderly, as if it happens by itself; it occurs harmoniously. There you are ready to receive those blessings that are truly needed by you, by your soul. For not everything is for your benefit. You often do not receive what you desire. Have you thought why?"

"Because it doesn't work out."

"Why doesn't it work out? The thing is, what is needed must be true for you, for your soul, for your spiritual growth, for your transformation from within.

When you walk into your spirituality, much becomes clear, even more becomes noticeable, and without exception everything becomes accepted by you as that which benefits the development of your soul. And then it becomes easier for you to go; then your path becomes visible to your sight, and you can breathe freely. Where there is understanding, there is no anxiety. An understanding of what is happening to you and why. Acceptance is an important key to your spirituality. It is that point in your growth that allows you to move on—unhurriedly and without looking back—stepping forward gently and tenderly."