Definitions key to Actualisation

The key to better Understanding is better Language.

"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically.

We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another: unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations."

Anais Nin

We describe our lives and our spiritual and self-development paths as Journeys. A martial arts career is a journey, a professional career is a journey. Parenthood, marriage, even adulthood is a journey.

And in any journey there are shortcuts which cost us something valuable. There are scenic routes, there are places to become lost and places to become stuck.

In rock climbing, people sometimes tackle new ‘unopened’ routes, where no hooks have been mounted and no route has been mapped. They do this to ‘open’ a way for others.

The persons that follow are not robbed of the spirit of the challenge, or the effort of the climb nor the sense of attainment and elation one gets from such an experience. The opening of a route simply offers a removal of unnecessary risk: risk of becoming stuck, risk of wasting time and energy that could have been invested in other ways.

Joining a good Jiu Jitsu school can be like this. The journey from white belt to blue belt is arduous and demanding in the body, threshing of the ego and humbling in every way. And even so the quality and approach of instruction can make an enormous difference to the acceleration pathway a new player can enjoy, without being robbed of any of the merits of perseverance and dedication that lends meaning to a human life.

What sets Pilgrimage apart from other journeys? Author and blogger Lori Erickson writes about all the intersections of Spirituality and Travel in her books and her blog Spiritual Travels. Lori writes.

“The object of a pilgrimage is not rest and relaxation (though that may happen), but rather spiritual growth. It often begins with questions: Who am I? What is my purpose in life? What do I need to hear? What can draw me closer to Meaning? What do I need to heal my wounds?

A pilgrim differs from other kinds of travelers. While those on ordinary journeys typically seek comfort and convenience, pilgrims often endure hardship willingly, for the difficulties can become a way of tempering and strengthening their soul.”

We each have to walk our own path, and we each need to step into our own place of power and purpose. There are no right ways or only ways, but there are better and worse ways. 

What we actually want is not short cuts, but we want Certainty, Motivation and Self-Belief. (When you don’t know the way, discipline and pluck we discover are not the be-all and end-all solutions they are sold as.)

Self-Belief is something we earn along the way. Motivation comes when we bieve we have something of meaning to pursue, when we feel it is within our means to pursue it, and we have some certainty of the way.

The missing piece is Certainty. If actualisation is the effort to close the distance between where and who we are today, to the version of ourselves are are aiming to be, then acceleration is the adjusting of pace and vector to optimise that journey, without compromising on our sense of Meaning or our Integrity.

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I offer these definitions to advance that understanding for you:

Acceleration

The intention and requisite investment to shorten the path of Actualisation without compromising Essence or Alignment.

Actualisation

The dynamic process of bringing one's Essence into tangible reality, guided by Authenticity and Alignment. Making the the potential, actual, without compromising one's core nature or Integrity.

Alignment

The degrees of congruence of inner Reality with outer Reality, and with the vector of Love over Fear.

Authenticity

The degree to which one is true to their own desire, in defiance of external influence, expressed as being.

Consent

The investment of Will that underwrites participation in a Container, where one assumes full ownership of their own investment, cost and outcome.

Discernment

The degree to which Observation and Action reflect an accurate Perception and Understanding.

The ability to appreciate Essence.

Essence

The fundamental nature of what is, by which its uniqueness and also its relation to everything else, may be known.

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When we are clear on our purpose and clear in our Understanding of our place in this world, our life goes from being an arduous journey in exile, to a epic pilgrimage of daring adventure and great meaning.