The incessant craving for remaining in ecstatic spiritual experiences that oftentimes afflicts the unwary adept can open the door to extreme states of spiritual distress. After the grand phenomenal and kaleidoscopic episodes have subsided, the self-absorbed soul will naturally find itself becoming embittered for its apparent loss. Accompanied with this collapse of grandiosity, the resulting void produces tension that is mired in incessant modes of irritability—so much so that after a while, it becomes nearly impossible for others to remain in any form of association with such a soiled mind.
Having experienced former states of bliss acquired through a myriad forms such as prayer, meditation, or even a drug-induced euphoria, the adept can indeed crave for continual and perpetual recurrences of these transitory states—much like an addict kicking and screaming for their next fix. If the adept doesn’t indulge oneself in these passing fancies, then one is not at risk for this spiritual distress. The act of grasping, as the Buddha would say, is the critical component in all of this since it is the very cognitive mechanism that leads to perpetual becoming which ignites the germ or seed within the Alaya-vijnana (Storehouse consciousness) that will only induce unending corporal confinement within the realm of samsara. This imperfection can be overcome the moment the toured soul surrenders to the dark principle of the Unborn Mind.
There are those who are inflicted with a different kind of spiritual malaise altogether—they incessantly scrutinize others with an aggressive and condescending tone that possesses them to perceive mere apparent transgressions. These self-made avatars perpetually elevate themselves to positions of supreme spiritual mastership, but in reality are masters of no position. All of this is quite the opposite of humility and gentleness of spirit.
Then there are others who, witnessing their own imperfections, choose to beat-up on themselves on the brink of self-effacement and masochism. This lack of patience with oneself is a false-humility—fully expecting to become a Bodhisattva in a day! There are many big plans here and hopes of high achievements, yet these false expectations only result in bitter defeat and disharmony. The greater their resolutions, the greater their fall into spiritual perdition and hopelessness; where is the patience here to await for the Unborn Spirit to reveal what they truly need on a day by day, moment to moment basis? They incessantly fall into an endless array of forgetfulness, neglecting to Recollect the ongoing need for purification within the Luminous Darkness of the Unborn.
Where are you in all this, dear reader? We can all learn from this instruction—including this writer.
This is a very pure, and honest, post. I applaud.