It feels good to believe we have a halo around our heads, but if others do not see this spirituality reflected in our actions, we ought to reassess our sense of greatness, which may be a self-serving illusion. However, this self-assessment is brutal, as our cognitive intelligence resists change and clings to comforting illusions.
Observing Kaveri’s life in my early thirties with deep empathy was a blessing. It awakened me before I could become like her. It urged me to use her life as a mirror to reflect on mine, and I continue to do so.
We can begin our spiritual journey only from where we are, not from a preferred illusion.
This journey is not about gaining fame, followers, labels or ego-boosting achievements.
Instead, it focuses on uncovering our true selves by peeling away the “onion-like” layers that don’t represent our true selves.
As we doubt, question and challenge our illusion of being spiritual, we become increasingly aware of our spiritual slumber. This awareness of our shadow self carries seeds of transformation. For example, recognising arrogance nurtures humility and acknowledging unkindness fosters kindness. In contrast, holding on to the illusion that we are pursuing a spiritual life allows our unconscious mind to find the perfect opportunity to indulge in the forbidden; it knows we are looking elsewhere.
Nurturing the illusion of spiritual superiority is a slippery slope, blurring our ability to recognise the extent of suffering we may inflict upon ourselves and others in the shadow of the light we think we are progressing towards.
Narcissistic tyrants and terrorists often share these traits: a conviction in the superiority of their beliefs and a sense of being the chosen one. They feign omniscience and infallibility, refusing to admit mistakes or consider alternatives.
One vital aspect of authentic spirituality is not to do to others what we wouldn’t like to be done to ourselves. For example, if you aren’t prepared to get killed so that others could eat you, consider examining, rather than justifying, your habit of eating meat.
A thought of a fresh, nutritious apple remains just that – a thought! Likewise, discussing lofty spiritual theories doesn’t change our reality. Stemming from unconscious habits, our responses often defy our knowledge, ideals or professed values. Therefore, spiritual ideas and ideals are worthless unless we turn them into unconscious habits through practice.
Change comes not from knowing but from recognising the gaps between what we know and what we do while working to bridge these through self-observation. It gets precipitated when our current situation’s pain outweighs the change effort’s discomfort.
Sculptors step back repeatedly to gain an overview of their work, returning continually to make corrections until the statue closely resembles their vision. Similarly, we are both a work in progress and its sculptor. Our mission is to constantly observe and painstakingly remove all that isn’t our true or spiritual self until we embody our “Buddha” nature.
Anil Bhatnagar is a corporate trainer, spiritual coach, and the author of Success 24 x 7, among several other books. He can be reached at [email protected]
