A Promise

A Promise is a Voluntary Spiritual Commitment. This commitment
can be either mental or verbal. A Mental Promise is usually made to
ourselves, while a Verbal Promise is usually made to someone else.

A Promise that is made to someone else can be as simple as
agreeing to be somewhere at a certain Time, or it can be as serious
as committing our allegiance.

Promises made to ourselves range all the way from "New Year's
Resolutions" to commitments for Personal and Spiritual Growth.

A Promise is an Oath, a Spiritual Commitment, a Bond (it is Binding).
A Promise is our "Badge Of Honor".

Whether we make a Promise cavalierly, or seriously, does not alter
the fact that a Promise is a Voluntary Spiritual Commitment. When
we make a Promise we create a Karmic Event.

Many ancient sects took this matter so seriously that they
refused to take any oaths. They did not want to risk committing
to something that circumstances might prevent them from honoring.
They understood that any unfulfilled Promise, or Oath, they
involved themselves in created a Karmic Debt which could impede
their Spiritual Journey. Even today there are sects in which it is
against their Spiritual Beliefs to take an oath of any kind.

Refusing to take an oath does not make a person weak. To the
contrary, it makes a person strong. This kind of person does not
deal in lies, deceptions or untruths.

When this person gives his, or her, Word on something it is their
"Bond", their "Knot"!

In addition to a Promise that is a Pure Voluntary Spiritual
Commitment, there are promises of deception and promises
made while under duress.

A promise that is made to "trick" someone else into giving us
something we want is not a Promise. It is a Deception. A Deception
is a Premeditated Lie and it brings the greatest Karmic Retribution.
Persons who deal in deceptions bring tragedy not only to
themselves but to those they associate with. The Spiritual Traveler
avoids these types of persons as they are Traveling upon an entirely
different Path than that of A True Seeker.

A promise, or oath, made under duress is an Involuntary
Commitment. Duress is when we are "forced" to agree to
something that is in violation of our Divine Nature, Personal
Beliefs or our Free Will. However, this does not alter the fact that
we have made a commitment of some degree (albeit under threat)
and that we may still have to face some sort of Karmic Consequence.

In the end, it is important to always realize that a Promise is, in fact,
a Spiritual Agreement. And just like any other agreement we involve
ourselves in, we must be prepared to either Honor it or face the
Karmic Consequence!

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

The Call To Adventure

"Still round the corner there may wait,
a new road or a secret gate."
- "The Hobbit", J.R.R. Tolkien

Tap...Tap...Tap...There's a knock on my door. I look out my
window and see a Stranger wearing the robes of a traveller.
He is standing on my doorstep and leaning on his walking stick.
He has all the features of an experienced traveller. Although
curious as to who this person is I decide to ignore the Stranger's
knock.
Tap...Tap...Tap...His knock is now louder. Who is this persistent
Vagabond that is so determined to disturb my peace and comfort?
I decide to answer the knock and send this Intruder on his way.
I open the door and face the Stranger. His face is a story of many
experiences and adventures. His piercing blue eyes project power,
determination and sincerity.
Before I can speak the Stranger takes command.
STRANGER: I have come a long way to find you.
SEEKER: I'm in the phone book. All you had to do is pick up
a telephone. (The Stranger's gaze does not waver and my attempt
at humor is met by his intense, steady gaze.)
STRANGER: There is a Great Task that must be accomplished
and it can only be entrusted to you.
SEEKER: Aren't you being a little dramatic? I'm sure that if
you knock on enough doors you will find someone else willing
to take on this "task". Now, if you don't mind, I'm going back
to my hot chocolate and my book.
STRANGER: ( His eye's unwavering and his voice stronger)
This is a task that can only be entrusted to YOU!
SEEKER: (Still wondering how to dislodge this Stranger from my
doorstep) What IS this "task" of which you speak? (Now I'm
beginning to sound a little like the Stranger.)
STRANGER: A Great Darkness approaches. Soon it will cover
your entire world. Should this happen, life as you know it will
no longer exist. You cannot allow this to happen. Only YOU can
defeat The Great Darkness!
SEEKER: Really! And just how do you expect me to accomplish
this task?
STRANGER: (Gently) You are more capable than you know.
You will find a way.
SEEKER: Will you accompany me throughout this task?
STRANGER: Only part way. I will show you the Path you
must follow. This Path is long and difficult. This Path leads to
your Great Task. Only by accomplishing your Great Task,
ALONE, can you save your world.
SEEKER: I don't know anything about saving worlds. Do you
have an instruction manual? What kind of help will I receive?
STRANGER: You will meet Guides along the way. They will
teach you everything you need to learn.
SEEKER: And they will accompany me to the end of my task?
STRANGER: No. They will instruct you. You must complete
your Great Task alone.
SEEKER: Can you guarantee that I Will succeed at this Great
Task?
STRANGER: No. You MAY fail.
SEEKER: What kinds of comforts will I have along this Path?
STRANGER: You will earn great new friendships and acquire
Sacred Wisdom.
SEEKER: Can you guarantee my safety?
STRANGER: No. You will experience much danger and meet
many enemies.
SEEKER: Will these enemies try to harm me?
STRANGER: Many will try to KILL you.
SEEKER: Let me see if I have this all straight. You are asking
me to go on this Great Task alone. I'm also expected to endure
great hardships. You can neither guarantee my success nor my
safety. This does not sound like a very good deal. What,
IF ANYTHING, can you guarantee me?
STRANGER: (With a flicker in his eyes and a soft smile)
I guarantee you The Adventure Of A Lifetime!
SEEKER: (After a lengthy, thoughtful pause)...I accept!

...NEXT: "The Call To Adventure Explained, Part 2"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2008