i believe that like anything else... a lot of it is the law of association. Want to be a musician or a sports jock?....
U need to associate with such people...see what they do... what they practice... be influenced by their aura... their vibration. So i have spent many years around spiritual people... around saints.. i have spent many years watching what they do. I practice many things they practice. It helps. It rubs off a bit.
That is one important reason I had this idea about this forum. It is time to give back what I have gotten. You'll have some of these experiences Jeff. It will happen. There are many initiations we go thru in life. Developing the right attitude towards practice and life is essential. I have found that this preparation continues for me. I see how I have changed as a spiritual being. This is the most important thing to recognize. To look back and see that you are a different person. You have such a different response to lifes drama and other people's actions.
I see that happening in you Jeff. It is nice to see that progress. That self evaluation. That ability to be receptive to others. That subtle humility that recognizes we have so far to yet go and we want to be receptive. We want to listen. Because we know that each moment is one more chance for our enlightenment and a truer understanding.
Well, from some of the reports I have read from many people, some of the experiences I could do without. So hopefully only the best will rub off. Maybe I will get thru just one day and will be able to say, that battle was completely, concisely, perfectly won.
i could not agree with u more SI. Sorry if some of my experiences effect u adversely. Perhaps your strong points will influence my weaker ones!