The path of Devotion is in the West the most suspected and misunderstood among spiritual paths. It is first misunderstood because we usually think that devotion is a sign of weakness and credulity. Actually it is by no means the case. We can even say that it is all the contrary. The devotee rightly considers that his ego is the last obstacle which prevents his self, his consciousness, from awakening. He also knows that mind is tricky and cunning and that he has only a tiny chance of victory over him.

This is the reason why the sincere spiritual seeker may have to follow the path of Devotion. In this case it is a willing and perfectly lucid attitude which consists in choosing that one's ego will be at the service of one's consciousness. However, to arrive and let his divine dimension emerge, the devotee decides to leave it up to someone else.

He chooses a master to whom he surrenders - his ego surrenders - so as to be guided to the revelation of his self. Devotion implies a deep attitude of humility as well as the desire to serve the others and an unfailing confidence in one's master. So the devotee sees the master as the reflection of his own divine dimension, that he one day will be able to reveal perfectly too.

In the West our educational and cultural values which foster the ego are against devotion which encourages surrender. The fear of being manipulated and exploited explains for many people their refusal to follow this path. But the main obstacle is to give up the power of decision of one's ego to surrender at the feet of the master. This attitude is considered as humiliating and a sign of weakness. Thus the western man gives priority to the choice of "sovereignty" even if it makes his ego stronger...

Amedee