Spirituality is not some new age trend that emerged on a post-Covid TikTok for you page limited to daily affirmations, setting new moon intentions and tarot card readings. To lead a spiritual life requires more depth.
Yes, crystals are gorgeous, astrology is wildly intriguing (and scarily accurate), and smudging your home sometimes produces immediate results. If you are not knowledgeable on how to properly use these practices and why, you’re doing yourself and your journey a disservice.
Nine years ago, I found myself in a spiritual rabbit hole. Leading a spiritual life was a path that truly resonated with my soul.
I was attracted to the destination but struggled with the journey.
Your spirituality journey might be overwhelming if you are unsure of the starting point and what you are looking to get out of it. Below are some foundational concepts you should know if you want to lead a spiritual life.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is what connects us to any and all. It reminds us that we are a product of creation from something bigger than us. It has less to do with religion, and more about strengthening your connection with where you came from and what happens after our time here.
Have you wondered what the hell you’re doing here, why are you struggling, and what’s the point of it all?
Me too.
Though new age spirituality glamorizes the journey, understand that this path is not for the weak.
Just as in life, you will face discomfort, mistakes, tests, trials, but most importantly, growth. When it feels like the universe is testing you and you’re drowning in fear and doubt, spirituality is what can keep your head above water.
To Lead A Spiritual Life Starts With You
“If you want to change the world, start with yourself.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
This era that the world is in is quick to point fingers in the opposite direction. And it’s easy to get sucked into the mentality that today’s problems are someone else’s fault.
But what if it’s not them, what if it’s actually you? That can be a hard pill to swallow and a knockout to the ego.
You will need to become self aware and learn to hold yourself accountable if you are trying to live a spiritually healthy life. By looking within, you will recognize unhealthy patterns and traits, and actively work to make the change.
This is going to have quite the effect on how you treat the people around you, and could lead to a positive domino effect- thus changing the world.
Understand What Triggered Your Spiritual Awakening
Aside from growing up in a spiritual home, many times people looking to set out for their spiritual journey have been triggered by a life altering or significant event such as the ones listed below:
- Loss of a loved one
- Paranormal Event
- Near Death Experience
- Health Scares
- New Life Phase
- Divorce/ Separation/ Breakup
- Financial Setbacks
For me, my first awakening happened during my sophomore year of college. My circle of friends had a falling out and some took the semester off.
I felt isolated and like I didn’t fit in anywhere.
I worked and went to class full time just to keep the depressive thoughts from filling up my head, but when my grades starting dropping I couldn’t help but feeling like a failure.
At the time, I didn’t realize that this is what would trigger my first awakening and lead me on my spiritual path. Certain events are designed to show you how important it is to be connected with yourself. And more than likely, your first awakening will not be your last.
As you grow and expand your consciousness, you encounter more hurdles, but can receive more abundance if you are open to doing the work.
Your Ego Will Try To Hold You Back
Your ego is who you consciously (and sometimes subconsciously) think of yourself as. It’s the part of you that finds comfort in complacency, fears growth, and rejects change.
The traits and reactions that you created to survive your past experiences is the ego’s way of keeping you safe and in your comfort zone.
The ego will tell you just about anything to distract you or convince you that improving is not necessary, too hard, or scary. At the same time, your insecurities and fears will be projected onto others.
Spirituality cannot flourish in limited spaces.
Determine Your Ultimate Goal
To lead a spiritual life requires specific goals, or destinations.
While this can vary for many on the path, the ultimate goal of spirituality is to evolve holistically in each present moment to lead a more fulfilling life.
But know that no two journeys are the same. You possess a unique spiritual gift that is different from mine because we’ve had different upbringings from various backgrounds and have been molded with specific experiences.
When choosing your destination, think of what you crave most in life. Is it fulfillment? Peace? Happiness? Or maybe you’re looking to feel more connected to the world around you.
Choose what you need, then set your journey from there.
Lead A Spiritual Life With Benefits
You wouldn’t expect to have an Olympic medal if you’ve never trained a day in your life, right? True enlightenment does not happen overnight, and it could possibly take years. But practice makes perfect.
Spiritual practices incorporate a wide range of methods from various cultures, so you’re likely to find one suitable to your needs. The beauty is, you can adjust these practices to fit your lifestyle.
If you are looking to reap benefits like inner peace, living in the present, and improving your quality of life through connectedness, then you already see the value in spiritual practices. That’s just a few of the many reasons the collective is leaning towards a more holistic and spiritual lifestyle.
Now that you have a better idea of the foundations of spirituality, you can decide to lead a spiritual life if you believe that this path is for you!