Recently I’ve been hearing people talk about how spiritual growth is not painless.
This, I think, is a very good thing to be pointed out, a very good thing to be reminded of, a very good thing to consider somewhat regularly.
The topic puts me in mind of certain other observations.
One, that to walk a path of or toward wisdom is painful and difficult, yet it being still more painful and difficult not to walk such a path.
Another, that truly adopting and internalizing a philosophical-spiritual perspective in life, inescapably, implies and brings about radical upheaval of one’s present way of living.
More generally, we all know, at least when we pause to consider it, that healing – whether physical or otherwise – often feels worse before it feels better.
Even Epicurus, whose end goal was in large part the avoidance of as much painful experience as possible, advised that one intentionally choose a painful experience, whenever doing so would avert a more painful experience later.
Let us recall such principles at regular intervals, or when we anticipate or have experienced pain and difficulty.
Besides writing, SeekerFive creates visual art and designs under his Leaf Town brand for tech accessories and decor. His current emphases are unique cases for your iPhone or Android phone.
Some can be seen on Instagram @leaftowndesigns (https://www.instagram.com/leaftowndesigns).
All available can be seen at https://society6.com/leaftown.
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