Tag: spiritual wisdom

The Mirage of Paradise

Why Many Turn Away From the Path

Paradise often appears as a shimmering promise on the horizon—a space of unbroken peace, eternal joy, and infinite understanding. Yet, when the steps to reach it feel many, slow, or arduous, even the most sincere seekers may find themselves questioning the journey. Why does the promise lose its lustre when effort is required? Why do we often choose comfort over truth or familiarity over freedom?

The answer lies not in paradise but in our relationship with it.

The Illusion of Arrival

The mind, conditioned by a lifetime of instant gratification and linear progress, believes paradise must be attainable within a predictable framework. When the path to enlightenment stretches beyond its comfort zone, the mind rebels. It whispers doubts, offers shortcuts, or fabricates reasons to abandon the pursuit altogether.

Yet, true awakening does not follow a predictable roadmap. It cannot be squeezed into the limited constructs of time or effort. Enlightenment is not about arriving somewhere—it is about dissolving the illusion of the one who seeks. This is the paradox that discourages many: the realization that the paradise sought is not something to be reached but something to be uncovered within.

The Fear of Letting Go

Another reason many step away from the path is the fear of surrender. Enlightenment demands more than perseverance; it requires the complete letting go of the self we believe ourselves to be. For those deeply identified with their roles, beliefs, or desires, this can feel like annihilation. What lies beyond the familiar can seem less appealing than the comfort of staying as we are.

But surrender is not a loss; it is an opening. It is stepping into the unknown with trust and willingness, allowing paradise to reveal itself not as a destination but as the ever-present reality beneath all appearances.

Walking Without Steps

Paradise cannot be reached because it is not elsewhere. It is not at the end of many steps or behind layers of effort. Those who walk away often believe the steps are external—practices, rituals, or milestones to achieve. The truth is, that the steps are inward, subtle, and immediate. They require no distance travelled, only the courage to turn within and meet the present moment fully.

Each step dissolves the illusion that there is somewhere else to go. Each step reveals that paradise was never absent. The question is not whether enlightenment is too far but whether we are willing to abandon the belief that it lies anywhere but here.

Remaining Open to the Journey

For those who feel the pull to turn back, perhaps the greatest teaching is this: paradise is not reserved for those who walk a perfect path. It embraces even the wanderer, the doubter, and the one who stumbles. The journey is not about reaching paradise but about waking up to its presence at every turn.

Instead of asking how far we have to go, ask this: What illusions am I willing to release today? What layers of resistance, fear, or expectation can I dissolve now? Every step, no matter how small, is a step into paradise itself.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Myth of Perfection

A Reflection on Human Nature and Spirituality

Perfection is a concept that many aspire to, yet one that remains fundamentally unattainable. The allure of becoming flawless is often reinforced by societal expectations, self-help narratives, and spiritual teachings that promise transcendence over our shortcomings. We yearn for mastery, imagining a state where all undesirable traits have been eradicated and every behaviour aligns with some ideal of human perfection. But is that ever truly possible?

No one is perfect. Not even the most enlightened being on the planet. Let’s use pest control as an example.

No matter how meticulously we maintain our homes or how many pest-control methods we employ, insects will inevitably appear. Some will be caught and eliminated, others will hide and multiply. This relentless cycle mirrors our inner world. Despite all efforts—through therapy, shadow work, psychedelics, or spiritual awakening—no one has found a way to remove every negative tendency permanently. As insects are part of the natural ecosystem, our imperfections are part of being human. Attempts to eliminate all flaws are as futile as trying to rid the entire world of pests.

Each trait or behaviour can be seen as a metaphorical bug. Selling a bug-killing spray or device is like an enlightened teacher selling a pathway to liberation or a self-actualized individual motivating others to reach their highest potential. The promise is not false, but the misconception lies in the belief that the bugs—the flaws—will be eradicated forever. The truth is more nuanced. Much like we can control insects to a certain extent, we can address negative traits, but total elimination is beyond reach.

If you’ve ever been to a home that had one visible roach, you likely made a snap judgment about cleanliness, even if the house was otherwise spotless. Contrast that with spotting an ant, and your reaction might be more forgiving. This response isn’t based on logic but on deeply ingrained conditioning. The same holds for how we judge others. One visible flaw can overshadow countless positive qualities, not because the flaw is inherently worse, but because of how we’ve been conditioned to perceive it.

A self-actualized person can be compared to a meticulous homeowner who manages to keep most of the pests at bay. Their house is mostly clean, orderly, and free of unwanted visitors. Yet, even they know that complete eradication is impossible. An enlightened being, on the other hand, goes beyond this mindset. They see every bug as a part of themselves—each flaw, each undesirable trait, is not separate but an expression of the whole. This broader understanding fosters a deeper acceptance. While they might occasionally choose to kill a bug, it’s done without aversion or judgment. There’s no inner conflict because they see that every bug, every flaw, serves a purpose.

Now the enlightened individual sees everything as perfection. Everything that is considered imperfect is happening perfectly. Everything is divine. Even the most imperfect individual or situation or circumstance. The enlightened recognize that what appears as chaos or dysfunction from a limited perspective is simply the perfect unfolding of a greater, unseen order. A roach-infested home, a seemingly flawed person, or an unwelcome circumstance—all are expressions of a divine play. There is no distinction between beauty and ugliness, perfection and imperfection because all dualities dissolve into the same oneness.

So, when an enlightened being enters a home overrun with insects, they do not recoil or judge. They recognize that their own home could, at any moment, be similarly overtaken. There is no attachment to a pristine space or the opinions of others regarding their environment. By accepting that bugs will always be present, the enlightened suffer less—not because their world is free of pests, but because they are no longer bothered by their existence.

The true wisdom here lies in shifting the focus away from trying to perfect oneself and toward seeing all parts of life—including the messiness, the flaws, and the unwanted bugs—as expressions of the same wholeness. The journey is not about eradicating; it’s about embracing. When we see all that is seemingly imperfect as perfectly divine, we move beyond the struggle and enter a space of true inner peace and freedom.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith