post #5 - spirituality, irony and radical honesty

We’ve mentioned previously that according to Judaism, external indicators of success are not truly indicative of reality. Indeed, it might be quite the opposite: those struggling could be the ones, who in an inner map of truth, are bringing the most light to the world. 

Judaism is thus a radically honest system. It is so honest, in fact, that most of us must work all our lives to reach its gold standards. Spirituality is the difficult work of shedding layer after layer of ego-centered frameworks of reality. We must fight externality with an inner truth — to combat superficiality with a deeper compass of morality. We must be completely honest with our intentions, our inner worlds, our hearts: for G-d sees all.  

Growth, ironically, which implies expansion is primarily inwards.