Same old, same old. As if it were the very first time. But why?

Omitting to seek after God, and creation, and things similar to these, seek for Him from (out of) thyself, and learn who it is that absolutely appropriates (unto Himself) all things in thee, and says, "My God my mind, my understanding, my soul, my body." And learn whence are sorrow, and joy, and love, and hatred, and involuntary wakefulness, and involuntary drowsiness, and involuntary anger, and involuntary affection; and if you accurately investigate these (points), you will discover (God) Himself, unity and plurality, in thyself, according to that tittle, and that He finds the outlet (for Deity) to be from thyself.



-- Al-Mun'im (Monoimos)

c. 1st century CE


The same message has been uttered for millenia it seems. But here's Art T. with why the message doesn't, um, reach a larger audience....:)

Spiritual action is like tacking into the wind … more work than sailing in the direction the wind's blowing. Another way of putting it is that it's contra-ego. The decision-making mechanism is programmed for species survival. The individual isn't going to survive, but few people get around to admitting that to themselves … and most of the ones who do try to find some way to resolve themselves to that. Few have the good fortune to see that there may be another possibility. Why do those few procrastinate? Not ready to give up distractions, and a belief in their inability to accomplish.