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I try to be "enlightened" but it doesn't work

Q. Here it is the end of the year, and my resolution was to meditate so I could be more enlightened and have better spirituality. I do devote time to meditate and I feel it has helped me and improved my life. But I still find myself living in chaotic situations. Bad things still happen to me and I wonder if I am not on the right path. What's wrong with me?

A: Congratulations on following your resolution to meditate often. Meditation has been shown to change the brain electrical energy through neurological testing and scans, so it certainly is very beneficial to a person.

Just because you are on a spiritual path does not make you immune to chaos in your life. There are several books about dealing with this, and their topic is "the ox herder parables". The Zen or Buddhist enlightenment process includes "disappearing" (or going to the monastic life) but then "reappearing", and coming back to live in the world. People sometimes think bad things happen to them because they are not on the right path, but the fact is, everything in life is a learning experience, and the "bad" is there so you can use your strengths to work through it, and learn.

Enlightenment is a never ending process. And it's a lot easier to be in a monastic, solitude situation, but that's not the real world. You have to be in the real world to apply your wisdom and knowledge, and be open to what happens to you.

There is nothing wrong with you. There is a great deal right with you! In fact, you may need to change your path sometimes. Life is all about change. Keep doing what you are doing. If you need a mentor, take a workshop, meet some people also on paths, get referrals, get support. Then you are on your own again. But you keep on.

Best to you, and write again to let me know how it's going.

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