METAPHYSICAL COMPETITION

There are people like that. No matter what you say, they will always try to one-up you. Even if you have no intention whatever of trying to impress them or anyone else with what or who you know, such a person will inevitably say they know someone who is more famous than the person you know, and will brag about how much they've done lately on their spiritual path.

If you've got someone you're following, then the person they are following has to be smarter, more famous, and all-around superior to the one you are following. They won't say so, in so many words, but will imply that whenever they brag about what they have just learned.

Does this mean we have no right to speak about what we have learned? No, it doesn't, but there is a saying from the Tao Te Ching that is good to remember;

"He who knows does not speak; He who speaks does not know"

Even the Bible addresses the issue, noting that Jesus was rather displeased with the people who went about so loudly proclaiming their piety. Even Theodore Roosevelt can be applied here. His "Walk softly, but carry a big stick" is something worth remembering. Don't brag to others. Don't talk all the time about your accomplishments. Speak little of them, but keep working on your spiritual development.

You are not in a metaphysical race!

You are not attempting to achieve some enlightened, exalted position before someone else does. That won't make one single bit of difference to them or you. Proceed at the pace that is comfortable for you. Be gracious when help is offered, but realize that you will control your own pace of development.

You are not responsible for anyone else's metaphysical development!

Just as no one can be your savior, you can't be anyone else's. You can offer advice, information, and help, but if the person you offer it to just doesn't want to accept it, so be it. It may not be time for them to accept that help yet. They may have to proceed along a harder road than you. Not only does everyone proceed at their own pace, but they proceed along their spiritual paths in their own ways, and their ways may very well not be the same, or even remotely similar, to your way. Both ways are valid however, and that is something you should keep in mind.

You are not the be-all and end-all of metaphysical knowledge!

Just because you may have studied a spiritual path for years, gone to umpteen workshops, and know all sorts of different and fascinating people, this does not mean that you are any better than anyone else. Maybe you have learned more than they have, but maybe you had more to learn in the first place! A little humility along the metaphysical path is a good thing to have.