Turning Points
Pages from the mediators must read book:
"Active Meditation"
by Robert R. Leichtman,M.D. & Carl Japikse

Most people view problems as troublesome- something to avoid at all costs. And yet they are a natural phenomenon of life. The person who believes himself to be without problems is either asleep or self-deceived.

While no one would want to deliberately create problems for himself, it is nonetheless helpful to realize that many of our problems do serve worthwhile purposes. They motivate us to grow and become a better person. They give us experience in handling opposition and resistance with maturity. And in many cases, they are actually opportunities in disguise.

In fact, there is often a great deal of potential power in problems. A moment of crisis may be a turning point in our life, but if we manage it successfully the direction we turn will be for the better. At such times, our ability to gather resources, solicit the assistance of friends, and invoke the higher self ("essential self") may well be greater than at more "normal" times.

The key lies in how we respond to the problem.

If we habitually respond by seeking refuge in passive meditation, we will be completely unprepared to seize the opportunity of the turning point.

If we habitually respond by attacking the problem in the same mode which led to it in the first place, but more angrily and aggressively than before, the turning point will become so painful-or exhausting- that we cannot capitalize on it.

Yet if we habitually respond by seeking out the wise counsel and enlightened perspective of the higher self (essential self) in an Active Meditation, we will be able to see clearly the lessons being learned, the opportunities presented to us, and a reasonable solution to the problem.

This can be done in a series of questions the higher self (essential self) can answer. These questions should examine why and how the problem has developed, what we have contributed to it, the lessons we can learn from it, the deeper issues behind the outer symptoms, and the most effective way to resolve it.

Some people are hesitant to ask specific questions of the higher self (essential self). They believe they should merely contact the wisdom of the higher self and let it guide them whither it will. After all, they reason , the personality knows so little and the higher self (essential self) knows so much, why should the personality impose limits on the capacity of the higher self (essential self) to guide us? This attitude, however, is sadly out of harmony with the way communication between the higher self (essential self) and the personality occurs. It is the responsibility of the personality to initiate the request for assistance from the higher self (essential self) and to skillfully direct the guidance it receives. This is most successfully done by formulating penetrating questions which will invoke a response.

The meditative practice of waiting for the higher self (essential self) to guide us , instead of taking the initiative to request specific answers, often results in serious self-deception. The meditator spends years nibbling at the edges of problems, thinking he is struggling bravely to cope with major issues, when in fact he is not working with the heart of the problems at all- just the symptoms.

The higher self (essential self) is always striving to help the personality increase its responsibility- not decrease it. It will provide us with useful guidance and insight- but it still expects us to take this help and integrate it into our daily living. It expects us to make decisions and accept the consequences of them. It expects us to play an active role in working to resolve the problems we encounter. We should always know that we can turn to the higher self (essential self) to strengthen our courage and determination, but it is up to us to confront the issues and challenges ourself. This is the way in which we become a competent agent of the wisdom, love and power of the higher self (essential self).

There are 3 basic classifications of problems with which we must deal:
1. Personal Problems
2. Career Problems
3. Problems arising form creative activity.

The kind of questions to direct meditatively to the higher self (essential self) will vary somewhat for each of these categories. Each will therefore be examined in greater detail by itself.

1. Personal Problems Questions:
What are the patterns and trends which have lead to this problem?
What is the psychological climate in which this problem arose?
What is the real work to be done in solving this problem?
What is the real question posed by this problem?
What is the best possible solution?
What new qualities, forces, and talents do we need to cultivate in order to resolve this difficulty?
How best can we integrate these new qualities, forces, and talents into our self-expression?

2. Career Problems Questions:
What mental framework are we using to define and solve this problem?
In what kind of environment has this problem developed?
What trends are inherent in this problem?
what is the real problem to be solved?
Have we been asking the right question?
What practical steps can be taken to solve this problem?

3. Problems Arising From Creative Activity Questions:
What is the purpose of this creative activity?
What is the real need we are trying to serve?
What effect do we seek to create?
What resources of talent, time , raw materials, and opportunity are we able to draw on?
What is the psychological climate in which we are seeking to be creative?
How best can we honor the creative forces we are working with?

Now that you've read this, get the book to find out even more how to go about this in our meditations.