Tag: spiritual discernment

Trans-Rational vs. Pre-Rational

The Subtle Distinction of True Spiritual Maturity

Many spiritual paths appear radiant on the surface, filled with symbols, mantras, and promises of transcendence. Yet beneath the surface lies a crucial divide often overlooked: the difference between pre-rational and trans-rational spirituality. Both appear to reach beyond logic, yet one regresses beneath it while the other transcends it entirely. To the untrained eye, they can look identical.

The pre-rational domain is instinctive, emotional, and magical. It belongs to an earlier structure of consciousness that sees reality through myth, projection, and emotional fusion. The pre-rational individual feels connected to life, but that connection is often undifferentiated; there is no clear boundary between the self and the world. Intuition replaces discernment. Myth replaces direct knowing. This is the consciousness of the dreamer who mistakes imagination for revelation. Many who fall into this category speak the language of mysticism but remain bound by emotional dependency and unexamined belief.

The trans-rational individual, on the other hand, has journeyed through the rational mind, not around it. They have integrated logic, science, and self-reflection into their foundation. Their transcendence is not an escape from intellect but a movement beyond its limitations. The mind becomes a servant rather than a master. Awareness expands to include paradox, complexity, and the ineffable without denying the relative truth of reason. Where the pre-rational personality confuses fantasy with insight, the trans-rational sees through both fantasy and logic as partial mirrors of the Real.

Many spiritual communities confuse these two movements, what Ken Wilber calls the pre/trans fallacy. Mystical language, emotional intensity, or devotion can appear “advanced,” when in fact they may mask regression to earlier, unintegrated states. True trans-rational realization does not deny the world; it refines perception until all appearances reveal the same unbroken consciousness. It honours both matter and spirit as dimensions of the same reality, seeing no need to reject one for the other.

The pre-rational seeks comfort in transcendence; the trans-rational finds freedom in presence. The former escapes complexity; the latter embraces it as divine play. One dissolves into illusion; the other dissolves illusion itself. The difference is not about how high one climbs, but how fully one includes.

Morgan O. Smith

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The Illusion of Enlightenment

Beyond Appearances

In the world of spiritual seekers, the image of enlightenment is often cloaked in stereotypes. We imagine the enlightened as wise sages with serene expressions, adorned in simple yet vibrant robes, often with a flowing beard symbolizing wisdom and age. These images, while compelling, can distract us from the true essence of spiritual awakening.

The Fallacy of External Symbols

Consider the figure of a guru, resplendent in flamboyant orange attire and a long beard. At first glance, these external symbols seem to exude a profound spirituality. They speak of dedication, discipline, and a life devoted to higher truths. However, these symbols are but surface-level adornments. They are, in essence, a part of the cultural performance of spirituality. The real question is: does the essence of enlightenment reside within these outward displays?


The Deeper Reality

Enlightenment, in its truest form, transcends appearances. It is not about how one dresses, speaks, or the rituals one performs. True enlightenment is the realization of nonduality, the deep understanding that all distinctions are ultimately illusory. It is a state of being where one recognizes the interconnectedness of all existence and lives in harmony with this profound truth.

A guru’s flamboyant attire and serene demeanour may buy time and may hold the disciples’ awe, but eventually, true discernment must prevail. Spiritual seekers must learn to look beyond the external and discern the depth of true wisdom.

Beyond the Mask

This brings us to the core of spiritual discernment. The journey towards enlightenment is deeply personal and internal. It requires a relentless commitment to self-inquiry, a willingness to confront and dissolve one’s ego, and an openness to the vast, unfathomable mystery of existence.

A true guru, one who is genuinely enlightened, may or may not conform to the stereotypical image. They might appear as an ordinary person, unremarkable in many ways. The true measure of their enlightenment lies in their ability to guide others toward their inner light, not through the allure of external symbols, but through the profound simplicity and authenticity of their being.


The Inner Path

As seekers on the path, we must cultivate the ability to see beyond appearances. The guru’s external symbols can be helpful signposts, but they are not the destination. Our journey is about inner transformation, about peeling away the layers of illusion to reveal the radiant core of our true nature.

Enlightenment is not a spectacle; it is a quiet, profound shift in consciousness. It is the realization that the true guru resides within each of us, waiting to be discovered in the stillness of our hearts.

Conclusion

In a world where appearances often deceive, the challenge for spiritual seekers is to cultivate true discernment. Let us not be swayed by the external trappings of spirituality but seek the deeper, inner essence of enlightenment. For it is in the quiet, unassuming moments of profound realization that the true nature of our being is revealed.

Morgan O. Smith

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

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