There are fixed laws that run the universe. These laws govern the sun, moon, tides, weather, and the cells of our body. No human being has ever altered these laws. They are the gears of the cosmos that were set in motion at the beginning and will continue infinitely. There are also spiritual laws that underlie the universe. These laws are based on the Law of Love.

Obstacles stand in our way. But what is our way? We can go the way of the fakir and live into our body. We can go the way of the monk and nun who live out of deep emotion, or we can go the way of the yogi and live from our mind. But there is a fourth way — the way of the rogue who not only lives out of the body, mind, and emotions, but out of a fourth component: our soul applied to our daily life. These ideas were presented by spiritual teacher George Gurdjieff (1877-1949). Gurdjieff, whose teachings are called The Fourth Way knew that relatively few of us would choose the way of the rogue. And the few who do are able to transcend the limitations of the ego. Amazingly, Gurdjieff’s teachings are consistent with those of Jesus.

Obstacles face us every day. One of the most powerful is our inner critic. The inner critic tears us down, deflates, criticizes, undermines, and discourages us. Its three biggest plans of attack are to shame us, anger us, and to instill fear.

The word obstacle comes from the Latin root “ob” which means “in front of” and the Latin root “stare” which means “to stand.” So, the word obstacle means “to stand in front of” and thereby “to block,” “thwart,” or “hinder the progress of.”

A life without obstacles is a life without a chance to grow. Whatever our heart’s desire, if an obstacle stands in our way, we have to work harder to overcome it. Therein lies the value of obstacles ... the hard work of overcoming them builds wisdom in our soul.

When I was working toward a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, I wondered how I would master the courses in higher mathematics and statistics. I had trouble with Algebra in high school, so I did not know how I would ever pass the higher math courses facing me now. This was a huge obstacle in fulfilling my dream of becoming a psychologist.

Confucius wrote, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; There is a Zen proverb from ancient Chinese wisdom: “You cannot see your reflection in running water, only in still water.”

Once again, nature becomes a metaphor for life itself. When water is disturbed, it cannot reflect. In the same way, when the mind is unsettled, it cannot reflect. third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” (In Lunyu, Confucius, c. 206 B.C.)

Confucius wrote, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” (In Lunyu, Confucius, c. 206 B.C.)

Sometimes, spiritual reflection opens the door to transformation and healing. The following spiritual practice offers a set of questions that can guide this process. It is based on Gestalt Psychology, Jungian Psychology, Core Transformation, Embodiment, the Enneagram’s Centers of Intelligence and soul qualities, Neurolinguistic Programming, and Rational Emotive Therapy.

Think of when you have sat around a campfire or on a porch, talking for hours with dear friends. The group may reflect on a common experience or other sides of this wonderful and challenging life. What a gift are those informal times of reflection shared with others. However, group reflection can have an intentionally spiritual focus.

Some spiritual reflection can take the shape of reverie, a state of pleasant daydreaming during our waking hours. Reverie carries dream-like qualities, such as being lost in thought when time seems suspended. The operative word in the definition of reverie is “pleasant.” It is a gentle, uplifting state of consciousness because the mind, heart, and body experience something positive.

Spiritual reflection is a type of learning. It illuminates truths we once knew but forgot, or truths we are only beginning to realize. Spiritual reflection has a vital intention— to increase our soul’s beautiful qualities and purpose. It does this by raising awareness of the world, who we are, and who others are. Being conscious of these activates our purpose and informs our state of being. Spiritual reflection is quite different from replaying and entertaining memories. It is a spiritual exercise that teaches us various aspects of life that we may not realize or know about. Only by spiritually reflecting upon a person, conversation, or circumstance, is the teaching revealed.

It isn't easy to enter spiritual reflection when we are inundated with the story of “Me.” It seems that throughout our waking lives, we are constantly hypnotized by the fascinating movie, "Me.”

Three years ago at this time, I came across a prayer for prosperity in The Daily Word, a devotional of daily prayers published by Unity. I was impressed by how it expresses true prosperity, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Let me share that prayer with you today. 

There are many different kinds of prosperity. But all kinds can be reduced to one essential property: a thriving life. Many rich and famous people embody the condition of being prosperous. Take Elon Musk who thrives in business and is arguably the richest man on the planet. Take Taylor Swift who thrives with talent, riches and mega-fame. And take the leading people in your community— the ones voted into office, or who own businesses and corporations. They thrive as leaders with much life force, material resources, and recognition. These are truly prosperous people. 

When I was in eighth grade, my science project was on the theory of audiotropism, also called phonotropism, which is the effect of sound on the growth of plants. I planted three pans of soil with winter rye grass. One pan was exposed to rock and roll music (WABB on my little transistor radio) for two hours daily. Another pan was exposed to slow music (WALA) for two hours daily. The third pan of grass had no exposure to music at all.

I am not a Trekkie, but I recall Mr. Spock’s Vulcan motto: “Live long and prosper.”

What a wonderful line from someone who supposedly repressed his emotions. As a Vulcan, Mr. Spock lived from logic and made decisions based on rational thought. Yet being only half Vulcan, he still had access to feelings, even if he did not outwardly express them.

There are many professional titles for those who guide us in our financial welfare: wealth manager, financial planner, investment advisor. Whether our fiduciary is a banker, a registered financial advisor, or a trained financial planner, we trust them to help guide our economic futures. Their responsibility is to ensure that we make wise decisions with our resources to prosper rather than decline economically.