Swimming in the sea

The mind is like an ocean with hidden depths and currents. Some of the forces are evident to us, some are not.

The spirit is endless and light, like the sky above.

The surface is where we swim, buffeted by the waves, fighting for life. We try to understand the depths below, why the waves come, how to control them, what all dangers lurk down there.

Understanding the ocean has its limits -- it is too deep and vast and interconnected to other oceans. It is best to simply ride the waves, float at the surface and deal with other floating things. Live in the present moment. For that, just a little knowledge of the water is enough.

Let's turn our back to the mind's ocean and just float. The sky is very beautiful above.

Four stages of spiritual growth

The ordinary person is in a stage of "unconcious incompetence". He is emotionally inept and very reactive. But he is not aware that it is so and feels he is the best of the lot.

With some learning and growth comes the stage of "concious incompetence". He awakens to the understanding that he is a servant to his emotions and that this is not the way to be; but he still does not know how to equip his mind and handle emotions better.

Then comes the seeker or the spiritual practitioner, in a stage of "concious competence". He has formulated the way to act as per principles and is trying not to let his feelings overtake right living, through abhyasa and knowledge.

And finally is the enlightened one, who can afford not to be careful about his reactions any more, since they have been programmed into right conduct. Like a professional car driver, he is now in "unconcious competence".