We are searching for the “right” method, knowledge, teacher, guru, assuming when we find “it” then we will be on the “right” path. All these seem natural and rational.
However, what I continue to confirm through my own life experience, feelings, and intuition is that everyone has their own path. As we take ownership of our expressions, our decisions and their consequences, we take ownership of our lives. This does not necessarily mean rejecting the information and support we receive from outside. On the contrary, as we take the responsibility of transforming the knowledge we obtain, the awareness we gain, and the support we receive on the way into our experience, we have the opportunity to live freely. Thus we’re on the path.
I would like to share an excerpt from Liber Novus on this topic:
(Liber Primus, page 231)
Believe me: It is no teaching and no instruction that I give you. On what basis should I presume to teach you? I give you news of the way of this man, but not of your own way. My path is not your path therefore I can not teach you. The way is within us, but not in Gods, nor in teachings, nor in laws. Within us is the way, the truth, and the life.
Woe betide those who live by way of examples! Life is not with them. If you live according to an example, you thus live the life of that example, but who should live your own life if not yourself? So live yourselves.
The signposts have fallen, unblazed trails lie before us. Do not be greedy to gobble up the fruits of foreign fields. Do you not know that you yourselves are the fertile acre which bears everything that avails you?
Yet who today knows this? Who knows the way to the eternally fruitful climes ofthe soul? You seek the way through mere appearances, you study books and give ear to all kinds of opinion. What good is all that?
There is only one way and that is your way.
You seek the path? I warn you away from my own. It can also be the wrong way for you.
May each go his own way.
I will be no savior, no lawgiver, no master teacher unto you. You are no longer little children.
Giving laws, wanting improvements, making things easier, has all become wrong and evil. May each one seek out his own way. The way leads to mutual love in community. Men will come to see and feel the similarity and commonality of their ways.
Laws and teachings held in common compel people to solitude, so that they may escape the pressure of undesirable contact, but solitude makes people hostile and venomous.
Therefore give people dignity and let each of them stand apart, so that each may find his own fellowship and love it.
Power stands against power, contempt against contempt, love against love. Give humanity dignity, and trust that life willfind the better way.
The one eye of the Godhead is blind, the one.ear of the Godhead is deaf, the order of its being is crossed by chaos. So be patient with the crippledness of the world and do not overvalue its consummate beauty.”
