A Lesson While Failing

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Nathan Trampe

By Jo Mooy

Through the tests we face in life, we scrape off the barnacles we don’t even know are growing.

The first human response to any unpleasant situation isn’t always good. Sometimes the response is hideously yucky and over the top. When the reaction runs counter to the “tempered character” of the person doling out the response, it’s an eye-opener. Such was my experience recently. It was a huge lesson that I had failed myself and the teachings and principles I cultivated so dearly.

Two months later, the details of the event and what caused my meltdown are not so important.

Instead, what stands out more vividly was my reaction to the event—and the knowing that I failed the test miserably. Instead of reacting neutrally and with a gentle focus, I went off the emotional rails. It took several days before I found my balance and was able to restore a sense of equanimity. The big lesson was realizing that the human reaction I displayed proved how many miles were left on this journey. It was sobering and, yet, a revelation.

Earth is the laboratory where the greatest work in raising human consciousness takes place. No matter where we think we are in terms of spiritual growth, tests continue to sneak into our life experiences.  Some seem insurmountable. Others mere irritants. Our overt reactions can affect one or two people or masses of individuals. My reaction was out of proportion to the unpleasantness of the situation. It affected a few people for several days. But, the emotional carnage may take much longer to dissipate in the etheric field. And for that, I take full responsibility while I work to remedy the damages.

During the event, the human me (no excuse) waved high the banners of righteousness and justice. Boy, did that feel good! Then in my head, I told and retold the story of the event giving it fuel. Every thought magnified it so that it became larger than it was. The vortex kept growing, taking on a palpable form that was consuming me.

Then one morning during a vivid meditation I hit the pause button. Well, I didn’t actually hit the pause button—it happened by itself. I saw clearly what had been happening, not only to me, but also to those friends affected by my behavior. In the pause, my reactions could be reversed. I could reset myself and forcefully “revision” the event. The human stuff could be dissolved into the sweetness of doing the practices that I should have done at the start. In that holy pause my behavior was transformed from the inside out.

The lesson of failing my true self was a striking reminder to be vigilant of the tests that come unexpectedly. Through those tests we scrape off the barnacles we don’t even know are growing.  In the pause of remembering, insight comes. When insight appears, the path lights up. When the path lights up we walk a little wiser.  In that wisdom, we remember to abide in the heart and do the practices. In that remembering, there’s never failure in any lesson.

Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.

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