Spirituality assumes that we exist in this world yet are not of it. Many of our difficulties stem from a misunderstanding of our identity: we are spiritual beings having human experiences, not human beings having spiritual experiences. Theoretically, this principle is difficult to realise. We can go to hundreds of talks and read thousands of books, but none of this will help us until we commit to a spiritual practise.
The ladder of connections is the simplest method to understand spiritual practise. We can make three types of connections at any given time:
- Outside of ourselves- We spend the majority of our time engaging and communicating with the rest of the world. It is called vital, but it can lead us astray if we lack inner guidance. Believing that other people’s lives are far better than ours, and living a life out of balance are all signs that we have placed an inappropriate value on happiness outside of ourselves.
- Inside ourselves- Many people seek tranquilly within themselves, outside their daily life. People who are battling with life, attempting to improve themselves in order to overcome the outward world, interested about their inner world, and occasionally a few seekers of the truth are the types of people who will embark on the trip within.
- Above ourselves- The lack of progressor direction can annoy those just voyaging within. They may have the sensation of being on a ship travelling at 60 knots per hour without a compass. Re-establishing a pure relationship with God, or something greater than ourselves, is what connecting above ourselves entails. God is one, and diverse civilizations identify him in different ways.
There are various ways to connect to God that cross religious and sectarian boundaries, just as there are different ways to arrive to our destination. Many people engage in prayer, a simple but powerful practise of self-realization. I pray, but meditation is my favoured technique of spiritual development.
Mantra meditation is one of the numerous styles of meditation that I practise. I spend some time each day singing mantras or God’s name, which help people overcome anxiety and panic attacks. Modern research recognises the enormous benefits of meditation, which include stress relief, a sense of purpose, and the ability to become more creative, among other things. The longer-term effect is that meditation takes us places. It radically changes our personalities, cultivates our best traits, and helps us to practise self-realization. Meditation helps us to become the finest version of ourselves. However, it takes time, and you must remain patient during the process. Because in the end, it’s all worth it.
Actually, it is our minds that make mediation difficult. The mind is supposed to be like a restless monkey, leaping from one thought to the next. Just because you say so does not make it quiet. It must be controlled, which can only be accomplished by practising daily for 10-15 minutes and gradually training your mind.
People who meditate develop the practise of showing genuine gratitude and compassion to everything, which benefits them in all interactions.
Small, daily rituals can provide comfort, help you develop better living habits, and guide you on your spiritual path, such as-
- Begin each day with a 15-minute prayer or meditation.
- Every day, listening to devotional music and hymns helps to calm the mind and increase vitality.
- Read books that will nurture your soul or assist you on your spiritual path.
- Become a member of a spiritual group or take spiritual awakening classes that will lift up your soul.
- Be patient and dedicated to discovering your path.
The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
