The process- “Putting on the Mind of Christ”

In order to progress along “the path of spiritual progress”, or “spiritual formation”, Jim Marion, author of Putting on the Mind of Christ, shares this step by step pathway. This is not unlike the “eightfold path” taught by meditation masters of Buddhism or Hinduism, however, my tradition is to be an ever growing Christ follower. That is my path, my leading…but the wisdom of other masters, other than Christ, can be helpful.

1. First and foremost, in a humble, prayerful attitude, honestly and truthfully, I must allow the Holy Spirit to assist me in assessing where I am.

“Where I am” today is perfect for the lessons that the Holy Spirit wants me to learn. The Spirit is providing “mirrors”, that is, other people who reflect back to us our level of consciousness.

  • What is it that I fear?
  • What are my strengths?
  • What are the areas of my own life where I am weak?
  • What are my aptitudes?
  • What is the practice I am applying to growing my strengths and allowing the Spirit to decrease or eliminate my fears, and my weaknesses?

2. Am I listening to the still, small voice within?

This is the Holy Spirit, the Word of God. This is done by quieting the mind through meditation. This is to be carried out as a daily practice, seeking to comprehend what the Spirit is saying, seeking as best I know how to discern where the Spirit is leading.

3. The Work on myself must be thorough and focused. Jesus called it “shoulder to the plow”.(Luke 9:62) I must, in yoke with Him, go all out, day to day, for a life time.

4. Therefore, by His Spirit, I must be patient. God has a long view of us. Heaven cannot be changed overnight…and I cannot be changed overnight. Only the EGO works violently, wanting to push and shove, to hurry, to force. War is the ego at its extreme, the effort by violence to force things to go our way. Many of us are at a state of war within ourselves.

“The Spirit never works by force, but gently, quietly. Its movement within us is subtle and delicate. spirit flows and grows us from within, naturally, and gradually”-Bernadette Roberts

The spiritual practice is to do a little each day. Pray, Meditate, go to church, receive communion. Keep a daily journal. Keep track of your dreams. Go for a quiet walk. Each day.

5. Each of us must find a community of people* or ‘satsang’- composed of people who think as we do, who are as serious about the spiritual path as we are, and who can and will pray for us and support us.

(A satsang (originating from the Sanskrit words: sat = true, sanga = company) in Indian philosophy means in this context, keeping company with an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the truth. This typically involves listening to or reading scriptures, reflecting on, discussing and assimilating their meaning, meditating on the source of these words, and bringing their meaning into one’s daily life.)

This constitutes an integral practice of life:

  • Something for the body: Exercising daily. all parts of the body, with an eye to spiritual practice;
  • Something for the Emotions: A practice to develop the emotions(e.g psychotherapy, dream work, emotional release)…
  • Something for the mind—i.e. spiritual reading, journaling;
  • Something for the soul- meditation/quiet time.

I wrote all this down as a reminder to myself, as the new year approaches.

I sincerely hope that you are able to do these things as well, as you endeavor to live and work as a follower, in yoke with Yeshua (Jesus), the Master.

…and merry Christ-mass. May your day be one of celebration and joy.

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