The Blind Leading the Blind

Human beings have a predilection for asking for advice. We look to others who we perceive as more knowledgeable than us for guidance. I get asked a lot of “meaning of life” advice … on finding purpose, on goal setting, on death … stuff like that.

The problem with asking for my advice is that it is subjective and comes from my own experiences. What is true for me might be a disaster to another.

I have not walked in the other’s shoes and the other has not walked in mine. Thus, it’s arrogant for me to dish out advice. If I were to give you advice, it would be foolish of you to take it at face value.

You see, I’m not always convinced I’m on the right path. I’m fractured and flawed. How then can I put you on the ‘right path’?

You’ve pretty much got to figure out the deeper issues for yourself. Those that you strive to figure out before the scythe separates your soul from your body.

You’ve been born with all the knowledge to answer those questions. You, like me, have forgotten that knowledge. Both you and me need to go on an inner journey so that we can remember again. We need to stop relying only on those otherworldly  beings that we put in charge of our souls. Those priests, pastors, imams, rabbis and mystics.

Like you and me, they too are clueless. I have a notion that they’re drawn to this work because they are also fractured. They’re trying to heal themselves by trying to heal you and me.

In my convoluted journey to get back to Eden, I meandered into a spiritual retreat last year. I asked my spiritual teacher if he would help guide me back to Eden.

Here’s what he said, “Pray, meditate and journal every day.”

I was kinda hoping for a bit more. Like daily lessons, long walks in nature and armchair chats. In my mind’s eye, I imagined he’d be the don Juan Matus to my Carlos Castaneda.

Guess what? Until the day of my departure I never once saw him again in his capacity of ‘spiritual teacher’. Not once.

I kept to my end of the bargain. I prayed, meditated and journaled every day until the day I left.

To say I wasn’t disappointed that he didn’t guide me, is an understatement.

On the day of my departure I went to see him. I wanted to know if he could point me to another spiritual master so that I could further my spiritual journey. I didn’t want to lose the discipline and insights I’d gleaned from the retreat.

Here’s what he said, “Pray, meditate and journal every day.”

What the heck? Seriously?

And then it dawned on me.

He’s the smartest man I know. You see he knew that he didn’t have the answers for me. He had to leave me to my own devices. Only I could answer the burning questions that rattled around in my head and tickled the fringes of my soul.

He knew that it would be arrogant for him to think that he could answer my existential questions. He knew that it was folly to even try. Because of his own human frailty, he understood that it would be like the blind leading the blind.

He knew that only I could answer the question, “What’s the meaning of my life?” He was right of course. In my time in the retreat the mists of ignorance parted ever so slightly for me. I got a glimpse of who I am and who I can become. I got an inkling of how amazing and awesome my story can play out. That is if I submit to that omnipotence that directs my journey. I tasted what real gratitude feels like and how it feels to be in awe.

So, if you ever were to ask me for advice, here would be my answer: “Pray, meditate and journal every day.”