There are countless testaments of "the answer." "The answer" is how we are supposed to live to achieve happiness, peace, enlightenment, or whatever you believe you need to be fully present in this lifetime. So many spiritual thought leaders have an answer: The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz, The Kybalion by the Hermetics, The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene, The Power of Now and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, the list goes on and on. There are endless beliefs, virtues, values, principles, agreements, and laws on how to live our lives to their fullest capacity. Yet, what happens when you've been dealt a bad hand from the start?

Life comes with obstacles and challenges, as this is part of what defines it. Houselessness, war, addiction, starvation, poverty, violence, abuse, mental and physical illness, debt, hatred, genocide, rejection; so many awful things plague our lives as we navigate our path to enlightenment. Some we face from the day we enter this world, and some come as we grow and evolve; either way, they cause strife, anger, discomfort, and melancholy. So, in looking at these countless teachings, the harsh duality of reality comes to fruition: will a silly little saying or motto help? Can "being impeccable with your word" (Ruiz) instantly erase years of built-up financial debt? Will understanding the "Law of Role-Playing" (Greene) cure your terminal illness? Can knowing that "The all is mind, the universe is mental" (Hermetics) end genocidal wars? The short answer here, which many refuse to admit, is no. Understanding and accepting these teachings will not immediately alleviate every problem you've faced during your time on this planet. Contrary to what you may believe, this isn't a negative conclusion. It is freeing.

One of the most powerful talents we can practice in life is acknowledging and accepting our shadows. This acknowledgment brings our darkness into the light, allowing us to heal and make peace with difficult situations on a mental level. On a physical level, this allows us to face our challenges head-on with full power and confidence. When I say "accept" your shadows, I do not mean accept them as the end all be all. Accepting your shadows means allowing them to be a part of you, a 'you' that is ready to evolve. You cannot heal a wound you continue to ignore. We are beings of duality. To fully embrace our light, we must find balance in our darkness. 

So, if these teachings do not work miracles, why not just accept our dark parts, fix our problems, and move forward as is? If you were stranded in the middle of the woods with nothing but the clothes on your back and somehow managed to get a cut on your leg, what would you do? There are many answers. You could panic, you could give up, you could start working to heal it; you cannot control the fact that you got a cut on your leg, but you can control how you react to it. While you cannot instantly heal your wound with magic powers, you can begin to search the area for tools. Maybe you remove your jacket and use it as a band-aid; maybe this situation motivates you to work harder to find an escape from the forest, or maybe you have wilderness survival skills on hand to help in the current scenario. Your reaction is based on your inherent knowledge. The more tools you have, tangible or not, to confront the situation, the more at ease you will be fighting the challenge. By absorbing these spiritual teachings, you may not find instant relief, but you will have the power to handle what comes your way more effectively.

Many are discouraged by their shortcomings and ailments. Many see the teachings of spiritual thought leaders as a mockery, personally offended that someone could look at their painful life and try to propose such a simple solution. They fail to realize that they have had the solution, "the answer," all along. The solution is within you. The solution IS you. These teachings exist solely to grow and strengthen the warrior that lives inside you. They act as tools and weapons to assist in daily combat against negative outcomes. YOU control your reaction. YOU acknowledge your shadows. YOU embrace your power. YOU bring about your inner peace.

Thought is power, and our words are magic. Our thoughts and beliefs affect our spirit, which in turn affects our mind and physical being. Understanding the seeds planted by those who have journeyed ahead of us and being able to utilize them in a way that benefits our unique scenarios and mental being is the key to enlightenment. You are the key to achieving your highest self. You are life.  

with peace + love,

Marketing Director of Metaphysical Pilates

“Your word is the power that you have to create.” - don Miguel Ruiz

January 2025