Many of us naturally assume that a spiritual life is very hard work. This is not quite accurate. Rather, trying to have a spiritual life is very hard work indeed. Trying to pray, trying to mediate, trying to study scripture, trying to get healed, trying to act spiritually at all times--that can make anyone exhausted or miserable.
We assume that the hardest, most difficult path will always be the most fruitful in the end and that the more we bring suffering on ourselves, the more generously we will be rewarded. But if we listen the great saints and teachers of the world, we are struck by one common theme: They all speak of how gentle it can be. Jesus says, "Come unto me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . . My yoke is easy and my burden is light."