“Sometimes we change almost by accident. We can’t help it. Sometimes just by opening up, just by actively intending to sink deeper into your existence, things that no longer fit in your life begin to fall away. Naturally. Softly. Almost noticeably. Nothing is resisted; instead, everything is allowed. In this resting place, spirituality becomes less about doing and more about being.” Sera Beak
Many of us are on a spiritual path. We are deep thinkers on a mission to discover who we truly are and why we are here. We want to wake up and embody the truths we discover so we can change our life for the better, forever.
But when your spiritual path doesn’t involve kissing the feet of a Guru/God, or abiding by the “Ten Commandments” or adhering to an “Eightfold Path”, what ‘exactly’ do you mean when you say you are on a spiritual path? What is your “personal daily requirement” for being authentic about your spiritual work? And what are you actually committing yourself to when you are “walking the walk” of transformation + liberation?
Grab a journal. Light a candle. Create some sacred space. And reflect. You might be surprised with your answers.
And remember, feel free to share your insights in the comments below.
Susana, I so completely resonate with every word in this post and am grateful for these insightful questions. When I say I am on a spiritual path I mean that I am consistently aware of being part of something larger than myself and feeling connected to everyone and everything around me.
Although I have been reading spiritual books for many years, my spiritual path is really about “being in the now” and connecting with and accepting my aliveness as it appears in the present moment. I don’t have a “personal daily requirement” per se. Instead, I choose to facilitate and participate in activities that allow me to: show up and be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, tell the truth without blame or judgment, and be open to outcome without being attached to outcome (Angeles Arrien). When I “walk the walk of transformation”, I am committing myself to various awareness and presencing practices and activities: morning pages, “here-and-now” groups, Enneagram work, Family Constellations, energy work, breathwork, qi gong. Attending guided meditations and dharma talks at my local buddhist temple have also been useful to me in welcoming the “now.” Formal meditation and yoga have not yet become a regular part of my practice, but I am holding these as possibilities. I think *any* activity I engage in can be authentic spiritual work … if I am holding that intention. Thanks for this thoughtful post. I would love to hear what inspired this post and what emerged for you when you journaled about these questions.
What prompted the post: hearing people say they are spiritual usually attached with “I’m not religious, I’m not a buddhist, I’m not this or that, BUT I AM SPIRITUAL” Which got me thinking, what does that really mean??
As for your answers…I swear you took them right out of my mouth. You are divine miss Laurie! So deeply grateful for your ‘meeting’ you. xoxo
Wonderful!! I have my own unique brand of spirituality that is quite eclectic. It’s funny when people sometimes suggest to me that I find one base spiritual school to then build upon I have to gently ask “Why??” Why do I need to limit myself in that way?” I understand the value of a tried and tested path but each person comes to their own awakening in their own unique series of choices and experience- how can one path every completely fit one person? I find that whittling down a huge assortment of teachings to find the bare bones provides me with a very stable core of practice. For instance applying the scientific terms to shamanistic work it all is basically saying the same exact thing just using different labels. Great work here! You’ve caught yourself an interested reader :) Be Well~ Brandi Harrigan of The Positivity Crusade
There is no right way or wrong way. Just your way. <3 xx
I can identify a lot with what both you and Laurie said. I don’t have the luxury of lighting of really meditating on these great questions at the moment, but wanted to give my 2 cents anyways!
An important part of my spiritual path is being present and continually taking steps toward really feeling, licking, smelling and embracing each moment. As, I’ve mentioned I’m a yoga teacher as well and am an albeit loose practitioner of the eight-fold path. But, now, more than ever, I truly believe their are many paths to transformation. I had the opportunity to attend an exhibit inspired by the Dalai Lama last night at my local museum. It was fantastic! One thing that struck me was a poster that said it’s been said the Dalai Lama knows 80,000 tools for transformation, and that they all could lead someone to enlightenment. So, it doesn’t matter so much what the vehicle is, as long as you are on your way to getting to the destination. However, with that said I do believe some form of discipline is necessary for spiritual growth. I have a history of heavy sampling, but now feel called to commit to one particular vehicle.
Getting high on the spiritual sweets! I’ve definitely been there. Nowdays, I’m convinced that authentic transformation is definitely about getting a little uncomfortable + exploring the things we’ve been running from. xx
I am one who, when asked about my religious views, replies with : I am spiritual, not religious.” To me this means I have found my own connection to a larger energy than me, my own connection with All That Is. Not what some religion has dictated IT should be or is. And a direct way you can experience this higher power is through meditation.. There are more advanced methods of meditation now, as the old traditional methods took too long. Because in meditation, you are getting out of the way. It is altering your state of consciousness, so you can get in touch with yourself and also, enter worlds beyond the physical. In other words, beyond time and space. You move out of your mind and into your soul and spirit. From there, you can tap into your Higher Consciousness and form your own, honest relationship with spirituality.
Not what some group or written words says it should or should not be. Not what I think it is, but have “experienced” it to be.
Being in the moment can begin to take you there, nature can take you there.
Meditation, and truly understanding the process, just takes you deeper.
It becomes the bridge between the physical world and the spiritual world. I meditate and connect everyday with my inner self and Higher Self. After awhile, your life becomes like a walking meditation. You always have that connection to your inner self, no matter what is going on. You don’t have to remember affirmations, you are the affirmation.
Wonderful questions and blog Susana.
Love this Pat! Meditation has been instrumental in my spiritual practice. Would love to hear what meditation techniques you use. And yes, ‘you are the affirmation’. Just as Jim Carey says in his chats for Eckhart Tolle, “i am the superbowl”!!
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