As a result of my deepening interest in truthful ideas, quite a few of my friends feel I have gone off the deep end, and I have noticed a growing separation between us as I work more and more for my own spiritual freedom. It is not that I don't care for them, but rather I am becoming less concerned about the things that have always driven all of us. My fear is they will eventually want to have nothing to do with me. Is it normal for friendships to pass as people change their life and level? Is this what Christ meant when he said, "Let the dead bury their dead"?
Yes, quite often old friends will fall away as you work on changing your interior relationship and begin seeing more about this life and its true purpose. Think of the company that a caterpillar keeps and then, as it is transformed, how its new friends have wings and inhabit the sky. Letting go of those who want to remain earthbound is at least in part the true inner meaning of this passage of Christ's that you have cited.
How do we find others who are also searching for their true selves? At times the search causes us to leave former friends behind -- not because we are better, but because we are different.
Here is a highly encouraging thought: The study of Truth leads us to those relationships that are beneficial to the Truth we are studying. It could be said that as you grow in your love of Truth/God, your newly emerging nature is a law unto itself that naturally repels what is dissimilar to it and likewise attracts what is helpful, healthy, and loving. In short, while it is good to find others who are interested in the Truth as a part of our own free will, the search for others who are embracing their true nature is ultimately directed by our own wish for the Truth.
The more I understand about higher ideas, the more trouble I have leaving relationships with my friends and family alone. Neither they nor I understand some of the changes that are affecting them as a result of my inner work. It is an extremely confusing time for everyone in my life. Can you help me ease this effect?
The Truth asks us to give it its way in our lives. The relationships established before the dawning of any such light within us are naturally going to be put through necessary changes by the inclusion of this new understanding as it dawns within us. Try to understand that we live in a world of which we see only a tiny, tiny part. But even in those small glimpses of our physical reality can we see hints of the celestial one. What happens to the creatures living in any environment when that environment is changed? Some naturally stay, some must leave, and most importantly, as it concerns our work, new creatures are attracted. Continue with your work. Be willing to let the chips fall where they may with all of your relationships. Be kind, but above all, be true. The rest will take care of itself.
What is the best way to respond to people who inquire about the esoteric books I read (yours and others)? My experience in responding to these questions has not been very positive.
Your experience is something all of us have shared when it comes to trying to discuss higher matters with others that seem to want to know what we are up to. Try to stay awake in these kinds of encounters. Rely upon your intuition to tell you whether or not these people are sincerely interested in esoteric studies, or are just looking for something to occupy their time with by stealing yours. As a matter of fact, it is good work to refuse to give argumentative types what they are looking for... and if you'll do this, they will reveal the nature that engaged you. This is the best teacher of all. Plus, your refusal to fall into their world tells them a lot if they have eyes to see what you can do. If they can't see this, then there is nothing that could be said anyway. Let these people go, and continue with your wish to become a new human being.