Grit And The Spiritual Path

The TED talk below found its way into my in box at just the right time. This life of living as a yogi is challenging in this real contemporary world we live in. Daily meditation, yoga, and the insane constant monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and words can become a grind even to the most accomplished yogi. There’s this vision of peace, love, and happiness one holds and yet the world as it is is constantly right there in your face.

I get frustrated sometimes that the world doesn’t change quick enough. I get frustrated that as soon as I think I have it all figured out, I realize that I don’t anymore. I become impatient with myself when I cycle back again and again through trauma or pain that should long ago have been released. The process of peeling away the layers of illusion is never ending. Sometimes I want to quit, but once you’ve tasted the sweetness of the divine…well…your hosed. You can’t go backwards.

This video was a wonderful reminder that all will be revealed, realized, and more if I just stick to it. The word Ms. Duckworth uses is grit.  In a spiritual practice, grit is getting up every day and doing the necessary work on self to continue the process of unfolding for the ultimate attainment of transcendence.  It’s a long-term goal.

“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future day in day out…not just for the week…not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it is a marathon, not a sprint.” ~ Angela Lee Duckworth