God and the Spiritual Journey

Dr Scott Peck writes in Further Along the Road Less Travelled that “. . . we cannot get to God under our own power. We can get to God only with God pulling us up” (p. 106). Many, if not most, people, feel that they can direct their spiritual journey. “If only I attend that retreat.” “If only I do some meditation.” “If only I read books written by the mystics.” “If only I give bay’ah* to that shaykh.” The spiritual journey to God doesn’t depend on any of these things, but depends on God. After all, He is the director. One can meet all the spiritual guides, attend all the retreats, do meditation, and read all the books one wants and not make true progress. True progress comes when one submits to God’s will, when one becomes like clay being formed by the Creator, how He wills. As Dr Peck writes about the spiritual journey: “Be willing to be surprised by forces beyond your control, and realize that a major learning on the journey is the art of surrender” (p. 107).

May God grant us knowledge in the art of surrender in order to submit to being pulled up by Him. Aameen.  

 *Bay’ah - pledging allegiance. Bay’at (or bayt) is a tradition from the times of Prophet Muhammad (may God grant him blessings and peace). In Sufi terminology it refers to following the instructions of a spiritual guide.