| This is the second part of my review of The Sacred | | | | read when we learn. That defines the first two groups |
| Path by Jonathan Ellerby. In an earlier ezine article, I | | | | of Body-Centered and Mind-Centered Practices. Each |
| commented on Dr. Ellerby's belief that a spiritual | | | | of these practices is self-explanatory, yet Dr. Ellerby |
| practice is necessary for spiritual growth. He defines all | | | | provides excellent commentary on each. |
| of the possible practices from which to choose. | | | | The Heart-centered group includes those who react |
| Dr. Ellerby presents 12 Master Paths, or different types | | | | with emotion as a first response. Devotion, sacred |
| of spiritual practices. Each has an ancient past, and | | | | service, and a guru/teacher imply a relationship-based |
| while most are known to us in some form, his clear | | | | or heart-felt connection. |
| presentation and grouping of them is unique. Each is | | | | Again, none of this implies any judgment, just an |
| defined with specific personal examples from his life or | | | | understanding that we are all different. To be |
| that of acquaintances. | | | | successful, we want to find our greatest strength as |
| To assist our choices, Dr. Ellerby groups these twelve | | | | our fall-back position before trying others. |
| possible practices into four dimensions, according to | | | | The last group may be the hardest to define: aesthetic |
| "four spiritual personalities." All practices are equally | | | | practice, death practice, and a life path. These may |
| viable; the best one depends on the personality of the | | | | need a little more explanation than some of the earlier |
| individual. The four dimensions of personality types are: | | | | ones. Most of us don't decide on extreme fasting or a |
| Body-Centered Practices: ceremony and ritual, sacred | | | | hermit existence, yet many of our mystics choose this |
| movement, and music and sound | | | | path. |
| Mind-Centered Practices: prayer, meditation, and | | | | The death practice in this group is one that most of us |
| sacred study | | | | will have a chance to experience, especially as we |
| Heart-Centered Practices: devotion, sacred service, | | | | see our elderly parents pass on. Dr. Ellerby's advice is |
| and a guru or teacher | | | | not to fear death, since death is what makes us |
| Soul-Centered Practices: aesthetic practice, death | | | | human. "Death practice is about holding a space that's |
| practice, and a life path | | | | clear and holy for another person to do the work |
| The challenge is to define which of the four dimensions | | | | necessary in order to make The Great Transition" |
| best describes us, then choose the best practice within | | | | (205). What a positive view of our role in assisting a |
| that group. Remember, this does not preclude choosing | | | | person who is dying. |
| from other groups since most of us experiment with | | | | I like the Life Path, or third example of The |
| many, if not all, of the practices in our quest. We may | | | | Soul-Centered Approach. In some ways, this may be a |
| finally choose a variety of practices, but I believe that | | | | goal of each of us. "Each moment of life is a |
| most of us have a dominant group that is our main | | | | ceremony in fellowship with all others. Each moment is |
| connection to spirituality. Which one seems most | | | | sacred. That is the greatest path, and you're always |
| appropriate as you read through the four groups? | | | | on it" (215). Perhaps this is the path we all aim for. |
| Which of the practices seem most comfortable, or | | | | For our journey, Dr. Ellerby provides 12 possible Master |
| which one are you more willing to try? | | | | Paths that show us how to reclaim our connection to |
| Question your way of reacting to the world. Many of | | | | the Sacred. |
| us need some activity when we learn, or we need to | | | | |