My wife sat me down in a rare get together and asked me a simple question. What is your life goal?
My answer was not satisfying and has therefore prompted my consideration of more thought to the topic.
My answer was "to master myself" which up until 30secs after i said it, I had thought was a spiritually commendable answer. She shot that idea out of the sky with her next reply. "So...it's all about You!"
Now that woke me up like a cold shower. I really had nothing of value to say to that. I had deluded myself into believing that everyone around me was benefiting from that fact that my self development made me a better person, so I was the one people wanted to be around because of who I had become from that development. But this was clearly being communicated...that this was not enough. I was not fulfilling my other roles. Mainly...that of being a man. Nope, not a husband...that part was ok, at least so it appeared....but as a Maslow's heirachy of needs (food, shelter, protection and warm) provider. In this department...I was an absolute failure. Now interestingly enough, up until now down my pathway of spiritual unfoldment, I had seen myself as being virtuous via my non material focus and doing my best to stick to spiritual focuses, eliminating desires and mastering vices.
But now, a new turn of events was occurring. Now ordinarily my reaction would have been this: oh well, this is just the Universe shaping my life, if she leaves me then so be it. But, now I was seeing things differently. I live in the occident. It is my kama to be in the west and be submerged in Western Culture and focuses. It is my destiny to be where I am and to endure the values and offereings of the civilisation I am steeped in. It is indeed my duty to be a part of the group that makes up my current perspective of life and this includes my beautiful wife and includes helping her to achieve her goals where she is on the path. This life is about group service, not Ritchie. So here I am in a new direction, effectively starting again where I once was, but with a different motive...relating to the service of others. I am going to start with my wife and focus on that areas I am responsible for in terms of creating such as an income, a home, a new car etc.