The Tools We Use to Reach Enlightenment from the Dark, Dank Depths of our Own Ignorance – Step 3

Written by

“We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.” — Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) esteemed U.S.,
poet / author

~~~

What tools have you used to reach greater spiritual enlightenment in your own journey, lately?

What happens when we decide to try something new instead of judging it right away?

~~~

New Divide – Linkin Park (4:27)

Maya Angelou Brief Bio (6:13)

Zen Bamboo Japanese Water Nature Meditation (5:10)

Today’s SFZ invites us to move beyond stubborn ignorance and embrace new possibilities. Herbert Spencer’s warning about “contempt prior to investigation” shows how judgment without experience blocks learning. Spiritual thinkers and psychologists agree: growth begins when we become curious rather than critical. Carl Jung emphasized openness to experience as vital for individuation, the process of becoming whole. When we reject ideas without testing them, we stay stuck in old patterns.

The recovery literature stresses willingness as the true foundation of spiritual change. In The Basic Text, willingness—not religious belief—is the key to transformation. William James, a psychologist and philosopher, argued that “faith is the readiness to act as if something is true” even before we fully believe it. This mirrors the approach in Step 3: try before you deny.

Maya Angelou reminds us how ignorance isolates us. We falsely believe we can survive alone—as individuals, races, or genders. But modern psychologists like Brené Brown show that connection is essential for emotional health. Ignorance cuts us off from others. Willingness reconnects us.

This step is not about blind belief. It is about courage to explore a new path. Choosing to trust something beyond ourselves requires humility. As spiritual teacher Pema Chödrön says, “The most fundamental aggression to ourselves is to remain ignorant.” We grow by letting go of control and trying something different.

Mobile Recovery Spiritual Solutions You can Count ON!

Comments

9 responses to “The Tools We Use to Reach Enlightenment from the Dark, Dank Depths of our Own Ignorance – Step 3”

June 19, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

I always tend to reiterate my viewpoints on any endeavor I might be foregoing that may not be the wisest, and sometimes it takes me further than my previous attempts at making something better for me. Living in the moment, and saying empowering words are thoughtful, plus I gain more strength in these ways.

Reply
June 17, 2025

Eli🌱

Part of trying something new is continuing not to judge it. It’s easy to decide something won’t work, try it, and judge it for not working even though it’s my own conviction holding me back. A new idea or process often needs to be seen through, explored from beginning to end, before I can figure its usefulness to myself.

Reply
June 17, 2025

E-Dawg

One of my spiritual tools is meditation. I was taught two different ways to meditate the first was emptying every thought in my head and focusing on nothing. The second is emptying every thought in my head and then focusing on God and letting him steer my mind and that has given me a deeper connection with him… as I sit there all these spiritual tools come floating by like mindfulness, compassion and love and any positive element which I then put together in a jigsaw puzzle in my mind…

Reply
June 17, 2025

Sabrina J

When I am open to trying something new, I grow. I become a person that is more enriched with life. Compasion, empathy and understanding grow and I have a better sense of what life may be like that is new and different from before. It does not mean that I have to continue that path if it is not agreeable to me, it does mean that I now have stepped into a larger world.

I thank my Higher Power for every experience and celebrate every opportunity to grow for truly I become a better person.

Reply
June 21, 2018

Tony O.

Enlightenment. I do seek to understand myself. I have this odd quark where I try to imagine coding emotions or experiences into a program. I break down moments of interaction and analyze my actions and emotions and notice. I don’t have to try to feel. I don’t have to concentrate on so many things going on but I know what to do. Looking at how I work and watching how modern technology mimics these traits I learn more about me. As a programmer i suppose the inner workings of a personality program involves statitcal averages. I would like an artificial intelligence that is relatable like an average person. Defining that in code is such a complex process. im not sure how to expain it.
But coming up with words of my own understanding does make me think of how im made.
I am the product of my parents. We as people merely mimic what we have been exposed to. But. Huge But. We have free will.
What does free will mean to an allergy?

Reply
September 21, 2012

johnny

reading, also .. keeps everything in perspective…

Reply
September 21, 2012

Adam

I’m trying to do some volunteer work with LA bicycle coalition. Bicycle ridership is good for people’s health and environment so it makes me feel good. When I get frustrated by others I’m finding more ways to short circuit those feelings and think more positive thoughts. I don’t meditate but spending quiet time just thinking positive thoughts and clearing my head seems to help me. This morning time reading and responding to the SFZ helps.

Reply
June 21, 2012

JB jr.

I’m doing lots of volunteer stuff and helping communities that really make me feel I’m making a difference. Freely giving is really rewarding.

Reply
June 21, 2012

easy does it

Reading. Meditating on what ive read keeps that door open!!

Reply