Tag: Journey

One Shared Journey

A Grateful Reflection

Every connection begins with a spark. Each visitor, reader, and seeker who has engaged with these writings have shaped this growing conversation. Across 132 nations, 10,507 curiosity, contemplation, and resonance moments have unfolded. This is more than numbers—it is a living testament to the interconnected spirit that binds us all.

Today holds special significance beyond gratitude alone—it is my birthday. I celebrate 53 years of life, reflection, and continuous exploration alongside this global community of seekers. There is no better way to mark this day than to extend heartfelt appreciation to each of you who has journeyed alongside me in thought and awareness.

A heart filled with gratitude reaches toward my homeland, Canada, the United States, Australia, India, and the United Kingdom—nations that have provided thousands of glimpses into this shared exploration. Vietnam, the Philippines, Germany, my place of birth, Jamaica, my place of ancestry,  Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia, Ireland, South Africa, Pakistan, and the Netherlands—each one adding its own voice, its own energy, its own questions to the unfolding dialogue.

Thailand, Sweden, Italy, France, Japan, Malaysia, Romania, Spain, Austria, Brazil, Kenya, Poland, Jordan, Ghana, and China—there is no border to wisdom, no limitation to the reach of understanding. Every reader who paused to reflect, who allowed these words to stir something within, has contributed to a silent but powerful movement toward deeper awareness.

New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Greece, Israel, Russia, Hungary, Tanzania, Norway, Türkiye, Laos, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad & Tobago, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Uganda, Colombia, Ukraine, Taiwan, and Finland—each visit is a ripple of shared thought, proving that the human longing for meaning transcends language and culture.

Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Denmark, Slovenia, Bahamas, Kosovo, Egypt, U.S. Virgin Islands, Somalia, Argentina, Fiji, Latvia, Benin, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Serbia, Slovakia, Armenia, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Tunisia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Morocco, Nepal, Gambia, Venezuela, Côte d’Ivoire, Peru, Bolivia, Guam, Myanmar (Burma), Qatar, Ecuador, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Mauritius, Czechia, Albania, Liberia, Belarus, Papua New Guinea, Guyana, Bahrain, Zambia, Namibia, North Macedonia, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Oman, Croatia, Réunion, Cuba, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Mongolia, Malta, Guatemala, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Niger, Ethiopia, Dominica, Congo – Kinshasa, St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Cambodia, Martinique, El Salvador, Lesotho, Botswana—your presence in this shared space carries meaning beyond what words can express.

Gratitude is more than an acknowledgment—it is a recognition of the unseen, the vast web of connection linking every individual to something greater. The search for understanding does not belong to one culture, one belief system, or one mind. It moves through all of us, revealing the essence of being beyond any division.

To every reader, to every soul that has journeyed through these thoughts—thank you. The exchange is sacred, and the dialogue continues.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Never-Ending Marathon of Spirituality

Many compare life to a race. We’re told to run fast, be the first, and not fall behind. But what if life, particularly the spiritual journey, isn’t about finishing first or even finishing at all? What if it’s a marathon that never ends, where every finish line is simply a starting point for another, deeper quest?

Walking the spiritual path can feel like running a marathon that goes on infinitely. Just when you think you’ve attained enlightenment or reached a higher state of consciousness, another level unfolds. This isn’t to say progress isn’t made, but rather that true spiritual growth is an ever-evolving, never-ending process.

In traditional races, runners have a clear goal: to reach the end as swiftly as possible. But on the spiritual path, the destination is less defined. One might even argue there is no destination. Instead, it’s a continual journey of self-discovery, of understanding, of peeling back layers to find the core of one’s true self.

The beauty of this endless marathon is not in reaching a finish line but in the journey itself. Every step, every challenge, and every revelation is an opportunity for growth and transformation. The hurdles faced along the way aren’t obstacles but lessons, guiding us towards deeper understanding.

In embracing this never-ending journey, we come to see that it’s not about “finishing” or “winning.” It’s about embracing the unknown, learning, evolving, and most importantly, enjoying every step. After all, isn’t the joy of running not in the end but in the very act itself?

When we shift our perspective from a race with an endpoint to a journey without one, we open ourselves to infinite possibilities and depths of understanding. It’s a liberating realization that our spiritual evolution is limitless, bound only by our willingness to keep moving forward.

In conclusion, while the marathon of spirituality may not have a finish line in the traditional sense, it offers something far more valuable: the promise of endless growth, self-discovery, and a deeper connection to the universe and ourselves. So, lace up your spiritual sneakers and embrace the never-ending journey. Because in this marathon, the real prize is the journey itself.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Journeying the Spectrum of Selfhood

A Novel Take on Eastern Philosophy

We’re all familiar with the concept of the individual ‘self’, the ego, and our personal identity that separates us from others. Conversely, many of us are aware of the concept of the ‘Universal Self’, the unbounded reality that underpins all existence, a staple idea in Eastern Philosophy. But what if we looked at these two states not as polar opposites but as points on a spectrum of selfhood? What if our understanding of ‘self’ could be broadened into a continuum that spans from the individual ego to the Ultimate Reality? In this blog, we explore the Theory of the Spectrum of Selfhood.

**Understanding the Spectrum of Selfhood**
The Theory of the Spectrum of Selfhood posits a fluid transition from the ‘small self’ or ego to the ‘big self’ or the Ultimate Reality. The journey from the ego-bound state of individual identity to the egoless state of universal consciousness isn’t an abrupt leap but a gradual progression along a continuum of selfhood.

**Navigating the Spectrum**
While this process of self-evolution is dynamic and fluid, it might be useful to outline several potential stages or ‘selves’ along the spectrum:

1. **The Empathetic Self**: The first significant step beyond pure self-interest is when we start appreciating and feeling the needs and emotions of others. This is the dawn of less dualistic thinking, where others begin to be seen as extensions of oneself.

2. **The Societal Self**: Here, we become more community-focused, perceiving ourselves as parts of the societies or communities we belong to. We adopt group values, work towards communal goals, and blur the lines between the self and others.

3. **The Global Self**: Progressing further, we extend our consciousness beyond our immediate surroundings to encompass all of humanity. We acknowledge our shared human experiences and feel connected to diverse cultures, races, and backgrounds, which promotes unity and erodes dualistic perspectives.

4. **The Cosmic Self**: At this stage, we expand our identity beyond humanity, resonating with all life forms and the cosmos itself. As a cosmic self, we experience the interconnectedness of all beings and sense a deep unity with the universe, inching closer to non-duality.

5. **The Transcendent Self**: Here, the illusion of a separate self begins to dissolve. We start to experience moments of transcendence where we feel absolutely unified with all that is, leading us further down the path of non-duality.

6. **The Big Self (The Self/Ultimate Reality)**: The final stop on our journey where the individual self is completely transcended. We realize our true nature as pure consciousness and become one with the Ultimate Reality, embodying absolute non-duality.

**A Journey, Not a Destination**
Remember, the Theory of the Spectrum of Selfhood presents a journey, a process of becoming, rather than a fixed state to attain. As such, these stages are not rigid or sequential; they provide a framework to understand the fluid and expansive nature of selfhood.

In embarking on this journey, we might find ourselves oscillating between different stages at different times, and that’s perfectly fine. The aim is not to rush through to the ‘end’ but to understand, embrace, and learn from each stage as we continue to evolve and expand our sense of self.

To borrow a phrase from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “No man ever steps in the same river twice.” Similarly, our journey along the spectrum of selfhood ensures that we are not the same ‘self’ at any two points in our life. We are always evolving, always expanding, forever journeying toward that Ultimate Reality.

This theory offers a refreshing perspective, and a new lens to view our spiritual evolution and growth. It invites us to acknowledge and accept that our sense of self is not a static or a binary concept but a dynamic and expansive one.

**Implications of the Theory of Spectrum of Selfhood**
Understanding ourselves as existing on this spectrum can foster tolerance, empathy, and a deeper connection with all that is around us. As we move along the spectrum, our focus shifts from a purely self-centred perspective towards a more inclusive view that acknowledges our interconnectedness with the universe.

This shift in perspective allows us to approach our lives and interactions with a sense of unity and compassion. It also helps us to appreciate the diversity and complexity of human experiences. After all, we are all on our own unique journey along this spectrum, each of us exploring and expressing different aspects of selfhood at different stages of our lives.

**In Conclusion**
The Theory of the Spectrum of Selfhood, while grounded in Eastern philosophy, offers a universal model for understanding and exploring our own identity. By viewing selfhood as a spectrum, we can embrace the complexity, fluidity, and dynamism of our personal and spiritual evolution.

Every moment provides us an opportunity to experience a different point on this spectrum, and each point brings us a step closer to the Ultimate Reality. So, let’s celebrate the journey, acknowledging each phase of selfhood as a stepping stone towards broader awareness and deeper understanding.

And remember, you are not just the drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop, ever-evolving, ever-expanding. Happy journeying along your Spectrum of Selfhood!

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith