The Importance of Courage on a Spiritual Path

Courage is a beautiful and exciting part of the journey of anyone on a spiritual path. But what is courage? “Courage does not mean fearlessness,” says Michael Gottlieb, founder of Royal Way Spiritual Center. “Courage means going into the unknown in spite of all the fears.” Yes, you might be scared, but you do it anyway. In order to discover your full potential and reach higher levels of consciousness, it is essential to practice courage and overcome fears.

Michael adds depth to the concept of courage by explaining its root meaning: “The original root of the word ‘courage’ is very beautiful. It means ‘of the heart.’ Hearts are courageous. The word ‘courage’ is truly beautiful: of the heart. And the best kind of courage, the most important courage, is the courage to go on dying to the past— not to collect it, not to accumulate it, not to cling to it. We all cling to the past, and because we cling to the past, we are unavailable to the present.”

Most fears are based upon past events that no longer exist and do not serve us well, yet we identify with them and cling to them. We keep these events, stories, concepts, and belief systems alive, allowing the past to define us and lowering our self-worth. Because the identification with these past events can be so strong, letting go of the past can feel difficult. You are discovering a new “you” in the process, and this new identity is uncertain, unknown. Courage is what motivates you to make this new discovery, this new experience of who you really are at your core. Overcoming fear and discovering your self-worth, value, and true essence is one of the great joys of life. And over time, as you continue to act courageously, you will become fearless. As Michael Gottlieb says, fearlessness is “the fragrance when courage has become absolute.”

The Only Real Courage

On one level, you can be courageous by the act of moving past physical or mental resistance. For example, perhaps in the past you never engaged in much physical activity and now want to run a marathon. Or maybe you’ve struggled with maintaining relationships and now you’ve decided to enter a new relationship. Or it’s possible you have a history of shyness and finally decided to give a presentation in front of a large crowd. Each of these new situations could cause uncertainty or nervousness or hesitation, but by moving forward anyway, you are being courageous.

These examples are all important steps toward growth and realizing your self-worth. But on a deeper level, Michael Gottlieb says that the only real courage is “to drop the known and to move into the unknown. And you do not do it only once. It has to be done every moment.” Instead of applying courage sporadically in your life, Michael suggests that courage can be present in every moment, with everything. It’s a deep inner shift that breaks identification with the past and allows you to experience yourself as new. It’s incredibly exciting.

Courage and the Present Moment

The state of being fearful is future-oriented. As the fragrance of fearlessness arises, we devote less time and energy to the past and future, and more time and energy toward the present moment. Experiencing the fulfillment of the present moment is one of the greatest rewards of a spiritual seeker. Not only is there inner fulfillment, but there is clarity, love, connection, power, and myriad other qualities that we all value in life.

Permanent Change

One of the most powerful aspects of Michael Gottlieb’s teaching on courage and

overcoming fear is that it leads to permanent change. How often do you make a significant change in your behavior, only to have it come back months, weeks, or even days later? Michael teaches that permanent change is only possible when we surrender our ego. “Yes, people make real changes,” he says, “but these changes are real on only one level … but not at the deepest level, not at the level that is behind the ego-mind.”

Michael continues by saying, “There is no transformation where the ego exists, and without transformation, change can change.” As Michael teaches, the most important way to make changes is to have the courage to die to the past. That way, you can be present. And when you’re totally present, there is no ego.

A Different Type of Hero

A courageous person is a hero. We often think of heroes as those who overcome fears and do impactful things outside of themselves, to help others, and that is certainly true. But what about someone who changes their own behavior, sheds layers of fear and pain and anger, and experiences the flowering of their authentic self-worth? Overcoming one’s deepest fears and connecting to your true self is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to one’s perseverance, discipline, and commitment to growth. It is, as Michael Gottlieb says, being “willing to give up the fictions of life … to be afraid without running from the fear.” Truly heroic.

Conclusion

So do you need courage to be on a spiritual path? Absolutely. But it’s something to embrace with joy, because the results of living a courageous life will open your eyes to your authentic self—to reality—which is sweeter than anything you could ever imagine.