Life on the spiritual path can be divided into three major
periods: the first a very pleasant one, the second not quite
so comfortable, and the third not only pleasant but satisfying.
The first stage is pleasant because our thoughts are centered
primarily on changing conditions of evil, error, discord, and
inharmony into more harmonious conditions, and as many of
us have discovered, some of these changes do take place...
...The second stage is probably the longest period, and the most
difficult one. This is because in the second stage we are living
in two worlds. We have glimpsed something of the nature of
Reality, and something of the unreal nature of the phenomenal
world, gradually leading us to a state of consciousness where
we do not quickly run for an aspirin the moment we have a
cold, or immediately consult a doctor when something more
serious develops. We have little or no fear about these disturbing
conditions...
...Once we get past the second stage, which may be anywhere
from our second to twenty-second year of study, we begin to
enjoy life because now we are so completely removed from the
hates and fears of this world and from any doubts of the principles
we may have had that we can live this double life without any
reaction to ourselves...
...As a matter of fact, much more is demanded of us in
this third stage because others begin to seek us out for help,
but every problem that is brought to us is just another opportunity
for the living of the consciousness that we have attained, and at
this stage of consciousness it does not strike us as a problem."
-- Joel Goldsmith, "Realization of Oneness"
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