The common pathways to enlightenment offer a set of unique tools with the same ultimate goal: full awakening. Yet any technique, strategy, practice or experience will have its limitations. Take a closer look at the various spiritual yogas, including: service, devotion, inquiry, energy practices, and mysticism, to understand their benefits, as well as their potential pitfalls, so that you can travel with eyes wide open on your own path.
During the awakening process, which has many stages, it may be surprising to find in yourself and others that some of the worst tendencies become dominant. And because developmental work and shadow work are not necessarily required to wake up, awakened ones may not have matured in all areas.
The ego is very clever and turns itself into many forms as a distraction from authentic awakening. This results in various forms of ego-based spirituality, including spiritual materialism, bypassing, mastery and elitism. The spiritual ego can arise before and after liberation, and will continue its efforts to trap you. Ultimately, limiting identities, beliefs and practices must be discarded in order to be free.
There are four main obstacles to liberation. Willingness and trust are the keys to overcoming the problems, distractions, and traps the ego will manifest to block your way. Learn how to move beyond your comfort zone by pushing through negative thoughts and emotions in order to become more alive, more fluid, more free.
