Fifth Stage:

“The Metanoia”of The Seven Stages

               © by Lynne Forrest

The Fifth Stage is when we truly begin to direct our attention towards the symbolic life. This is when we are given opportunities to work with our substance through the inner path. We begin to awaken to our intuitive selves. Only after much vain striving in the attempt to fill that aching void within us do we finally direct our gaze inwards. I call that moment of turn around the metanoia. A wonderful illustration of this stage of the journey is Michelangelo’s depiction in the Sistine Chapel of man stretching for God and God reaching back with their fingertips touching. This is a wonderful metaphor, symbolizing that moment in our lives when we have finally turned our attention and longing towards the Divine. The wonder is that Divine Source also wills contact with us!. It is not just an empty reaching-out on the part of mankind . . . but a mutual longing for connection.

This stage of the journey presupposes an ongoing process of clearing away the mental and emotional blocks that obstruct clear communion with Source. Connection with Higher Purpose comes only through an open heart. Usually by the time we have arrived at this stage we have suffered much loss and heartbreak . . . a necessary part of being“ cracked open” so that something bigger can begin to flow through us.

Through our daily struggles we learn how to combine the passion from our lower self with the wisdom of our higher mind. This combined energy is the stuff of compassion, a necessary ingredient for service and right-relationship, with ourselves, as well as others.

Our tribulations serve to sharpen our yearning for something other than what we’ve previously known, thus serving to turn us from the outer world to the inner. Having achieved a fully integrated ego, we now begin the process of refining it into a vessel of service. This is done by paying attention to our dreams, images and inner knowing or intuitive self. In these ways we build the bridge between our ego and Higher Self.

Next Page: Sixth Stage: Crucifixion


*This is a condensed introduction to the stages of our life journey contained in“The Seven Stages of Our Spiritual Journey Home” written by Lynne Forrest. Be on the lookout for the book in completion sometime over the next year.

 

Lynne has been in private practice for twenty years. She is a seasoned professional who today works primarily with motivated individuals towards acquiring a philosophy of life that not only increases their ability to deal with everyday problems but deepens their spiritual understanding. Rather than disease or dysfunction, Lynne sees issues and problems as the soul’s invitation to transform. Lynne draws on years of experience in dealing with all kinds of addiction and problematic family dynamics, having used a blend of modalities along with psycho-spiritual principles to promote problem solving skills, better communication and elevated self esteem.