Happiness

Is Life Testing Me?

By cjliu | February 19, 2020

CJ Liu interviews Jeff Cox author of “Instructions for Spiritual Living.” Jeff is known for his connection with Paul Brunton (PB), who introduced Ramana Maharishi to the West. While many spiritual teachers (Mooji, Gangaji) were influenced by Paul Brunton’s writings, he’s still relatively unknown. Jeff Cox, who is previous book publisher and affiliated with The Paul Brunton Philosophic Foundation, has complied PB’s writing.

The book includes all the things Jeff wish he had known when he started on his path as a young adult. The book covers many areas such as: the goal of meditation, intuition, emotional purification, the nature of enlightenment. CJ and Jeff focus on tests/probations during this interview. Part of the spiritual path is transcending our personality even when challenged by tests. However, sometimes people do a spiritual bypass when faced by a spiritual test. When they do this, Jeff shares how they miss a powerful transformation. Jeff shares the ideas of a spiritual experience and the many forms it may come in. Empowerment, insights, glimpse, and grace, which are all words for describing a spiritual experience.

While most enjoy talking about pleasant spiritual experiences where they may glimpse a new reality, we don’t often talk about times when we feel doubt, fear, self judgment. These are revelatory times and equally important. These glimpses are spot lights showing us where we are out of alignment. When we are graced with these challenges or tests, we don’t often stabilize in the new place where spirit is directing us due to our habits and routines. These routines keep us grounded to the past versus to the present moment.

CJ talks about her recent mild concussion as a potential way of thinking about a test. CJ re-frames this from an annoyance to a spiritual glimpse. During her concussion she has not been able to multitask or have the same cognitive recall. Through their conversation, Paul and CJ discuss how her obsession with intellect and achievement were areas out of alignment. Jeff shares a moving story of the importance of not what we do (our resume), but who we are being as a way to share this spiritual wisdom.