I was recently asked this and I’m not sure we can “fall” off our spiritual path. The path may not be direct, it may meander, take detours and even seem to be obscure or hard to see, but we are always on our path. Every experience adds to our learning and mastery, and sometimes the most significant learning experiences occur when we seem to be wandering in the “wilderness.”

Different thoughts, codes and teachings offer varying descriptions of what the spiritual path looks like. Generally, though, it involves a silencing of the ego thoughts and responses to hear the promptings of the deeper, unseen truth. Thus the path consists mostly of controlling our thoughts. All the spiritual teachings, methods and strategies usually comprise of various ways to help us control our thoughts, but regardless of whether we choose to follow these or not, we are always able to control our thoughts if we choose.

If our spiritual “practice” - no matter its form - lapses, it is wise to remain in a state of acceptance of the way things are. Non-judgment is crucial. If we can accept things as they are, avoiding preconceived notions of how we think things should be, we align ourselves with the present moment, what Eckhart Tolle calls the “now,�” because it is only in the now that human/physical time intersects with the non-physical infinite. Thus non-judgment is the most receptive state for spiritual inspiration and revelation.

Eileen McBride
Eileen McBride is the author of Love Equals Power 2, a spiritual seeker and teacher. This article was published on May 22, 2019.