In our last three articles we discussed the first three paths of creation centered spirituality: Via Positiva; Via Negativa; and Via Creativa.
In this article we will discuss the path, Via Transformativa.
These four paths can easily be understood through the examination of the concept of the resurrection put forth in several myths and forms of spirituality.
Via Positiva is when one is at rest on earth, or in heaven, Via Negativa is when one descends, slowly, into the painful underworld, letting go of all of the misconceptions and false beliefs that can be so easily learn during lifetimes of positivity, if one is not careful.
Via Creativa happens when one has let go of the negative painful events that happen in life and is cleansed.
This causes one to become more clear about the way the world actually works and to expand ones sense of reality.
This could be understood as the return to the positive, in biblical terms one could understand it as Jesus' return before he ascended.
He told Mary in the garden not to hold onto him, because he had not yet ascended to the Father.
At that point he had experience the Via Creativa experiences.
Via Transformativa was like the ascension.
During Via Transformativa one is changed and transformed to such a state that one is no longer the same type of creature, one has become a new creation.
Via Transformativa can take place any time and in specific aspects of our lives.
In one area of understanding we can be enlightened and transformed, while in other areas, ones in which we have not gone through the whole process, we are still at the basest level.
The ultimate Via Transformativa that takes place in every area, is what is known as enlightenment.
Many people think of enlightenment as taking place in one big leap.
When we hear about it we often hear about a miraculous occurrence where the person is meditating, praying, doing something, and then suddenly with a snap, they feel connected to the universe.
This, I think, is a very accurate portrayal of enlightenment.
But much work goes on behind the scenes before this happens.
It can be compared to the overnight success who has actually been struggling for ten or twenty years behind the scene to learn his craft.
When he is discovered people think that it was instantaneous.
In actually it has been a long time coming, and he has worked very hard for it.
The same is true when it comes to enlightenment and Via Transformativa is a big part of it.
After one continues to have Via Transformativa moments in ones life repeatedly, and grows mentally and spiritually by going through this process of creation spirituality over and over in many areas of her life, sooner or later something happens.
After she has gone through this process so many times, and in so many areas, she finally gets it and there is a click.
This click is enlightenment.
She has learned how the process works.
She has learned all the rules.
She has come to a recognition after going through this cycle repeatedly.
That recognition is that there are, in actuality, not really four paths, there is only one.
The one path is transformation.
The other three are only steps that are part of the fourth path.
When one realizes that all things are working for the transformation of the self in order to expands ones thoughts, feelings and experience and to awaken one to ones actual identity--one becomes free of the cycle, because one no longer gives in to the thoughts and feelings in the process that makes it painful.
One comes to one of the major parts of Via Transformativa and remains there.
That part is celebration.
Celebration comes as we realize that the whole universe is working and growing, becoming something that we cannot begin to understand, and that we, as part of the universe and part of God, are becoming our all knowing, complete selves, with every turn of the cycle.
This celebration leads us to the desire to transform the world.
This celebration leads us outside of ourselves and inside of ourselves.
Outside of the confines set up by our personalities and the socialized identities that we have created as a result of living in our bodies on earth, inside ourselves as we realize that we are the world and that we are the universe.
We cannot go outside of ourselves, because we are one with everything.
This is easy to say, but the realization comes slowly.
Via Transformativa, enough times, provides the opportunity for this realization.
It provides the opportunity, then, to walk in love and truth, and to do justice in the world because we are actually not doing something out there, we are doing something within.
As we heal the stranger we heal ourselves.
As we change structures of injustice we are changing the structures of ourselves.
As we embrace the stranger we are embracing ourselves, for in truth, all is one.
All is one.
As you are engaged in your regular spiritual practice, your exercise program, or just living life, please take the time to notice this process going on inside.
Look for the signs that you are entering one path or the other, and use your spiritual practice to create smooth transitions.
You will someday realize that there is only one cycle and process, and your maladaptive thoughts and ideas will fall like leaves from a tree.
All that will be left then is you and the ground of your being from which you draw sustenance and the strength to produce new leaves and fruit.
And then, you will be whole.