In one sense, we look on our lives as a constant “becoming.” We move from moment to moment, focused on those things coming up, whether it involves dressing for the morning, our next duty at work, an important meeting with a client, a trip across country, a holiday get-together, and so forth. There is a differential in time between the present and the events or activities we perceive coming in the near or distant future. We know it is just a matter of time for that gap to be bridged. It is simply the unfolding of life taking is course.

There is also a differential between what we are now and what we can become in terms of our own inner psychological framework and status. Here, we are not so eager to bridge this gap, as it requires us to change our nature. Actually, we are hardly even aware of the gap in the first place.

Yet, from one point of view, to fill the gap can be said to be the single reason we are here on earth. We each serve a purpose, which requires us to move from what we are to what we need to become. Not merely in terms of more success and achievement, but in terms of a greater consciousness and higher perspective. In addition, there is the perspective from the soul's point of view. It waits on us as well, and hopes we make the necessary effort to fill that gap. When we do, i.e. when we move higher in psychological and spiritual status, our soul -- i.e. our evolving soul -- becomes more satisfied in its appetite to acquire new knowledge in its journey of fulfillment through time. Or, to put it simply, when we grow by overcoming the differential between who we are and what we can become, our evolving soul within is nourished and grows as well. What can be more important in life than the fulfillment of our Truest Nature and Highest Self.

How then do we bridge the gap? We can be practical and note a series of key deficiencies that will help us overcome that psychological and spiritual differential. Very often the single key is a wanting attitude or two -- perhaps toward work, or others, or towards life itself. For example, one person persistently has problems with certain types of people, while maintaining an attitude of slovenliness and disorganization. Another person is egotistical, and does not readily take to be selfless and self-giving behavior. A third is reluctant to take up new opportunities, is persistently late, and is intolerant of new ideas. Each person in this way has a psychological differential between what he is now and what he can become. When that person overcomes the gap, that individual not only progresses rapidly, but so does his evolving soul within, thus serving an ultimate individual purpose.

There is another way to look at the results that come when we overcome the gap between who we are now and what we can become. Life suddenly and abundantly responds with good fortune. At that point where we overcome that wanting attitude, habit, belief, opinion, motive, etc., life immediately moves towards us with better conditions. E.g., when we overcome our distain for several individuals, we are suddenly offered a better paying job; or a six-month back pain suddenly disappears; or a love longed for now shows an interest from their side; a long-term conflict suddenly resolves itself; and so forth. It is a subtle phenomenon of life that occurs just beyond the normal bounds of our awareness. When we make the effort to overcome the gap between who we are and what we should become, life responds with such “instantaneous miraculousness” -- as the impossible suddenly becomes possible, overcoming traditional views of what is possible, and how space and time function. By bridging the gap, the infinite potentials of life replace the current finite that we are experiencing; and a potential future we could have attained over time moves into the present.

The first step then is to recognize that this differential exists. The second step is to list out the deficiencies between what we are what we can become. The third step is to make the attempt to overcome at least one or two of them. The fourth step is to be sincere in our efforts. The fifth step will be to experience the sudden good fortune that comes our way as a result of making this concerted psychological effort.

In addition to crossing the psychological chasm, we can also bridge the gap between our human selves and our spiritual selves. This is not for everyone, but for those who feel they are inwardly called to do so. One individual feels deeply that he must change from the ordinary propensity towards selfishness, and become selfless and more self-giving. That is a spiritual change. Another person feels compelled to create a deep sense of calm and stillness within so that he can far better meet the exigencies of life in the future. That can mature into the spiritual poise of “equality” -- where one is immune from the negative and positive intensities of life, which is a spiritual change as well. A third person wishes to move his center of consciousness inward from which he can look out on the world as “witness,” and thereby be more in tune with the environment. It is the spiritual experience of Oneness with the world and life.

Each individual can formulate his own custom “spiritual portfolio”, and aspire to bridge the gap between his current human functioning and that spiritual functioning. When he makes the effort to do so, not only will he be set firmly on the road to a radically different spirit-oriented existence, but life will respond with good fortune all around him, presenting the world as a Marvel, that he takes deep delight in. For example, one person aspired to bring the spiritual Force into his life. He then opened himself to that Power before engaging in activities, and found that nearly every time life would respond with sudden good fortune. In that way, he has begun to bridge not only the psychological between his current and his future nature, but the spiritual gap as well.

Additional Information: Overcoming Our Limitations, Life Response