Illusions: Traps Along the Path to Inner Peace

There are some major traps along the spiritual path that can derail our progress towards inner peace and self-realization. These traps arise out of our illusions and fears, mistaken perception caused by incorrect information having misled our ego-mind. The three major illusions are about time, money, and death.

I will cover each of these separately in the following chapters to give you a deeper understanding of how they can derail your spiritual journey. here is a short preamble.

All three are mind-made illusions that our ego-mind uses to create a false sense of security and control. They are not real! The mind invented time to deny our eternal essence. Money is a social construct to facilitate trade and commerce, but it has become a false god to many people. Death is a natural part of the cycle of life, but our ego-mind irrationally fears it as the end of our existence.

We cannot lost what is real. Our true self is eternal and unchanging. It is not bound by time, money, or death. When we realize this, we can let go of our attachments to these illusions and find true inner peace and freedom.

Actually, there is a fourth illusion that I will not cover in detail, but which is equally important to recognize and overcome: religion. Organized religion has been a source of comfort and guidance for many people, but it has also been a source of division and conflict. Religion often creates a false sense of identity and belonging, leading to intolerance and judgment towards those who do not share the same beliefs. True spirituality transcends religious dogma and embraces the unity of all beings. Kark Marx said:

Religion is the opium of the people,

only because television hadn't beeen invented yet.

As I said before: spirituality is not religion. Spirituality is about connecting with our true self and the divine essence that permeates all of existence. It is about cultivating love, compassion, and wisdom in our lives. Religion wants to insert an intermediary, or a go-between, between you and your Higher Self. Spirituality says: "You are the way, the truth, and life itself."

All organized religions are dogmatic, based on a system of requisite beliefs and practices that are prescribed by an authority outside of yourself. Spirituality is pragmatic: observe what expresses your true Self and do more of that. Notice what doesn't work and do less of it. Spirit is about direct, personal connection with the divine. It is about finding your own path to enlightenment and self-realization.

Religious differences are and have been at the root of many conflicts and wars throughout history. When people identify strongly with their religious beliefs, they may view those who hold different beliefs as outsiders or even enemies. This can lead to intolerance, discrimination, and violence. True spirituality recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, regardless of their religious beliefs or practices.

Don't misunderstand me: I am not saying that religion is bad. Firstly, I am not against anything and I am for many things. Secondly, I try to avoid judgments. I am also not trying to persuade you to abandon your core values. Religion has its place in society and can provide a set of practical values, a sense of community, and support for many people. However, it is important to recognize that true spirituality goes beyond religious dogma and embraces the unity of all beings.

Continue your journey to learn a different way to think about time.