Here are interesting quote from the forum of Freedom of choices highlighting the needs in spiritual development
1.We need to explore our Selves in great detail in order to find out how to "create" and sustain the blissful feeling called Love. Anyone who has sincerely tried to achieve and sustain the bliss will tell you how difficult it is to do. Before we can even begin feel the bliss, we need to create quite special state in our own mind. We need to maintan the purity of the mind, the purity of intentions and we need to achieve the state of acceptance of Reality (including accepting the Self). These conditions are the most fundamental.
2.We need to begin with defining what is that we are trying to accomplish. Can we achieve anything without defining what are we trying to achieve?
3.Before we become advanced, we need to learn simple things.
4.Knowing and understanding` is just the first step. Then we need to LIVE the knowledge and understanding that we attained.
5.As soon as I wrote these words I realized that the relationship between chilren and parents is very similar to the relationship between us and The Great Intellect. We need to find out what we want and then ASK. If what we ask is for our benefit - it is highly likely that we shall RECEIVE help.
6.Of course, we need to respect other people's choices, even when they choose not to THINK.
7. Such messages appear to you as THOUGHTS. You need to be sensitive enough to perceive them, of course. (Yet again, meditation helps). As with any other thought - we need to make a CONSCIOUS CHOICE how to act. We are just given a "hint", but the choice what to do is OURS. It is back to The Freedom of Choice
8.Do you remember the Universal Law of contrasts?We need to become intimately familiar with a wide range of contrasting feelings, especially the extremes.
9. In practice, however, we are lazy. Hence, we mainly work on ourselves ONLY when we HAVE TO. As you noticed, doing nothing leads to some regression. Then, our Higher Self arranges some interesting challenge for us and we need to choose - either to ignore the challenge or face it, solve the problem and advance ourselves.
10. From this simple example it is obvious that in order to overcome any barrier it is essential to UNDERSTAND it. First, MOTIVES or NEEDS for such an understanding need to be established. Then it is necessary to conduct creative investigation, tests, trials, analysis, explore the limits and draw conclusions. All of the above are functions of Intellect.
11.Hoping is not enough anyway - you need to motivate yourself and direct your Intellect in the best direction that you can imagine.
12. Believing is not enough. You need to KNOW. Begin by spotting self-contradictions in your thoughts.
13. The Final Goal is a "moving target" - we need to keep improving it as we increase our understanding of the Reality of the Conscious Existence.
14.Your sensitivity is not compromised - you WILL perceive disturbances, but they will bother you much less. Simply speaking you need to build up enough strength, enough inner peace and coherence, to OVERCOME any disturbances WITHIN before they can influence your behavior and well being.
15.After developing an unstoppable enthusiasm for Life and Self development you need to exercise caution when you share it with other people. They may be not ready for it.
16. When packaged as a message of love and wisdom - it is like poison in a candy. We need to sharpen our filters...
17.We need to discipline ourselves to THINK until everything that we perceive MAKES SENSE.
18. Real meditation prepares us to experience all sorts of "altered states".
The most interesting things always happen AFTER a prolonged meditation. Then - you need to be ready and skilled in "concentration" to make the most of them.
19.The Purpose of all activities needs to be established first.
20.We need to DESIGN our actions.
Needs for Spiritual and Self Development
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