Spiritual growth.
What comes to mind when you hear the word spiritual?
I was talking to a friend recently, who said he is anti-spiritual.
He can’t fathom why do these young people wearing saffron clothes go to pilgrimage, to religious gurus (modern babas), in search of god and soul, while snorting drugs in the night.
All this, while they haven’t lived much of life yet or fulfilled their family duties and responsibilities?
Do you also have a similar image coming to your mind, when you think of spirituality?
Someone wearing simple clothes, visiting religious places, bathing in holy Ganga, perpetually calm and smiling, on a quest of finding the meaning of life?
Someone who’s left the material pleasures, ambition in life and the drive to earn money?
I agree some people in the name of spirituality do this and even judge others.
But I beg to differ if that’s true spirituality is!!
I don’t claim to be an expert in this field, though being on my own healing and spiritual journey for the last 20 years, I can share a few things with my own personal experience and the experience of many of my clients.
What is spirituality is not about being religious or following certain rituals, rather it’s about being light in your being, becoming more kind and loving and less judgemental towards yourself and others?
In my experience, the more spiritual you are, the less seriously you take life. You are more fun-loving, jovial and light-hearted in your being.
The word spiritual comes from ‘Spirit’ and we all can feel an energy, a spirit moving through us. So naturally we all are spiritual beings with a spirit, a body, a heart and mind, right?
We all have an ‘innate desire to Know the ‘self’.
As humans, we all have an innate desire to understand who we are, and our place in this infinite expansive universe. Also we want to experience a connection with this universe / source / higher power, whatever you like to call this energy, spirit of life.
Let’s begin with this question:-
- What if your relationships, work, and the roles you play are the very ground for this inner journey?
In my view, the quest is deeply personal and we all need to find our own answers. Though some guides can help us on this journey and facilitate the healing on the way; but we have to walk the path ourselves.
One thing is for sure that it isn’t about being constantly happy or becoming perfect.
We have to face our own thoughts, patterns, demons, and darkness, and to accept all of ourselves.
At the end of the day, we all want to be do some good and be at peace with ourselves and life, right?
Let’s explore if spirituality can support us in our quest to know ourselves and be the human that we desire to become.
Here’s few simple inquiries to ponder upon:
- What if spirituality is about living life with an open, and light heart?
- What if it’s about accepting ourselves rather than becoming an ideal perfect version of you?
- What could be more spiritual than being fully present to our lives, right where we are?
- What if it’s about embracing your full human experience, not suppressing or bypassing parts of you?
- What if it’s about fulfilling all our responsibilities and living in relationships, to our best capacities, while becoming more kind and compassionate as a human being?
We could be amidst a huge mess. May be our relationships are falling apart, may be the business is crumbling and we’re not making ends meet.
How many of us stop the blame, take responsibility, and actually dive deeper to heal ourselves. So we can live our life, work and relationships with ease and kindness towards self and others.
Now that’s spirituality!
If you’ve ever thought, “I shouldn’t feel this way if I am spiritual,” you’re not alone.
Many people think that being spiritual means rising above our human experience and we start to look down upon those who indulge into worldly pleasure or are too emotional.
But here’s the thing, human beings are emotional beings! Your emotions aren’t a problem to fix. You are not failing when you’re feeling like a mess emotionally.
They are messages, signals, sometimes even sacred invitations. Anger, sadness, fear, frustration, all are part of your human landscape. Ignoring them, judging them, suppressing them with substances doesn’t make you spiritual. It just makes you more disconnected with yourself.
It’s not about Bypassing emotions and becoming someone who’s always positive and composed.
– Read ‘about Mental bypassing’ and ‘Spiritual bypassing’ here.
It’s about being someone who is real, aware, and fully alive, even in the messiest, most uncomfortable moments – that’s spiritual!
True spirituality means allowing all parts of you to be seen, even the ones you’d rather hide.
Real Growth Begins with Self-Acceptance. When you stop judging yourself for being human, for getting triggered, for feeling low, for breaking down; you begin the real spiritual work, deep acceptance of self.
And paradoxically, as you accept more of yourself, you start to grow naturally and accept others too.
You become a kinder and more loving person. Towards yourself, others and life generally.
Now, that’s spiritual growth!
Spirituality in Everyday Life
****It isn’t just about going on retreats, yoga mats, or meditation cushions.
It’s about:
#The tough conversations with your partner.
#Questioning everything you’ve ever believed about yourself, life and society.
#It’s about slowing down and feeling more of you in the morning when you wake up overwhelmed.
#About truly forgiving yourself and your relationships, for making mistakes.
#Taking that pause and deep breath before you react and choosing grace over reaction.
It’s in the small, quiet choices you make, to be present, to stay kind and raise your voice for justice for someone else.
There’s no one path to spiritual growth!
You can follow any path of self-inquiry, self-healing and self-reflection. It all leads to deep connection to the source within.
There are may diverse practices, like prayer, meditation, yoga, mindfulness, breath work, somatic healing, art, spending time in nature, or engaging with spiritual teachings or communities, that can help you in spiritual growth.
Having a guide or coach on this path surely makes this overwhelming journey much more easier and joyful than being on this path alone. My coaches and mentors have played a huge role in my personal and professional growth in this journey.
Are you ready to explore your own path?
And If you’re looking to dive deeper into authentic spiritual growth, not the performative kind, but the kind that transforms how you live and love in relationships and life then I invite you to explore my coaching offerings and retreats.
Let’s walk on this path together. Email me at coachsalonisingh@gmail.com to connect.
Listen to my podcast about Practical spirituality for busy professionals here
Read my latest blog on What is Conscious Living
Much Love
Saloni