The Synchronicity Between Internal Family Systems Therapy and The Key Spiritual Path of Pathlessness (Part I of II)
First, let me state that I am a long-time spiritual researcher and experimenter, but I am by no means a spiritual scholar. To that end, I will leave a more in-depth discussion on the ‘Pathless Path’ to your own research. I will only touch on it in a way that allows you to see the symbiotic relationship between the Pathless Path and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and how, working together, they can greatly accelerate our own evolution and awakening.
Simply put, the Pathless Path reveals that it’s about deeply listening in each moment and allowing a unique spiritual journey to unfold without following prescribed teachings or teachers. It's about accepting reality as it is and flowing with life, trusting that we are already where we need to be. This path emphasizes presence and authenticity above adherence to specific methods. It involves a deep, moment-to-moment listening for what feels right. It's about accepting reality and oneself fully, flowing with life without resistance, and recognizing the inherent originality of everyone’s journey.
This analogy might help: in the Progressive and Direct paths, there is a subject (self) and an object (God/Infinite). These two paths, then, are inherently like a rubber band that is drawn tight. The only way to allow self to truly know God is to pull the rubber band tighter and tighter to ‘strengthen the bond/understanding’ between the two. In these two paths, the seeker is constantly seeking the unknowable.
With the Pathless Path, there is no subject/object because we become aware through direct experience that there is only one, interconnected and flowing as One. The rubber band relaxes as we acknowledge our non-duality. As the sage/teacher Adyashanti states, “You fall into Grace.” Awakening then becomes the simple, conscious recognition of our true nature—what we have always been and always will be.
In a similar manner, within the IFS model, we recognize that we each do not operate with a unified mind, but a dynamic mind of multiple parts, each a separate and unique being. Buried beneath this clamoring family, often fighting and suppressing each other, lies the Self. Self is our infinite, ever-present Being. Self is always available, but never demanding. Self is just being. It is here that the Pathless Path and IFS converge.
In the next segment, I will cover in detail how IFS facilitates the conscious recognition of Self and slowly moves toward present awareness and being. It is a great tool to launch each of us onto the Pathless Path.
