Indeed, many on the spiritual path delve into what Ram Dass calls spiritual materialism. The notion is that people become obsessed with learning new methodologies, using new technologies and climbing higher and higher up the so-called 'spiritual ladder'.
"Oh yes, I'm a very spiritual person. I hate war, I never eat meat, I protest against the government, and I love animals and nature"
In the above example, which is very common among new age spirituality, there are many imbalances and attachments. One cannot judge the 'level' of their (or anyone else's) spirituality, as the viewpoint is entirely biased and subjective.
In essense, there are many, many facets of the distortion that is distraction (with regard to service to others). Some more obvious than others. It is simple...
We are here to choose; fear or love. From there we make choices that are best aligned with that choice. To be of service to others, we do not need to be a charity worker, throw money at the homeless, work as a healer or work as a teacher. We only need to act from the heart, in any - all - situations, and we can do that as a business owner, a cleaner, an artist, a father, a sister or an athlete.
And I agree; one finds their true path far easier from inner guidance, albeit the higher self, spirit guides or guardians. Te best way to discover it? Follow your passion. It will take you through many discoveries of the inner self through exploration of the unknown.
Edit: To add, balancing is of great importance, which is omitted from many new age, and other, teachings. Ra's words here are absolutely invaluable, a gift to humanity. We owe much to L/L Research for allowing this intellectual (leading to spiritual) enlightenment.
"Oh yes, I'm a very spiritual person. I hate war, I never eat meat, I protest against the government, and I love animals and nature"
In the above example, which is very common among new age spirituality, there are many imbalances and attachments. One cannot judge the 'level' of their (or anyone else's) spirituality, as the viewpoint is entirely biased and subjective.
In essense, there are many, many facets of the distortion that is distraction (with regard to service to others). Some more obvious than others. It is simple...
We are here to choose; fear or love. From there we make choices that are best aligned with that choice. To be of service to others, we do not need to be a charity worker, throw money at the homeless, work as a healer or work as a teacher. We only need to act from the heart, in any - all - situations, and we can do that as a business owner, a cleaner, an artist, a father, a sister or an athlete.
And I agree; one finds their true path far easier from inner guidance, albeit the higher self, spirit guides or guardians. Te best way to discover it? Follow your passion. It will take you through many discoveries of the inner self through exploration of the unknown.
Edit: To add, balancing is of great importance, which is omitted from many new age, and other, teachings. Ra's words here are absolutely invaluable, a gift to humanity. We owe much to L/L Research for allowing this intellectual (leading to spiritual) enlightenment.