The Definition of Spirituality
Spirituality is the notion of devoting trust to a divine monkey in the sky who overlooks every critical aspect of your life. Sin, and you shall go to hell. Unless of course you confess to an authorized member of the community. It is also of extreme importance to denounce every other systemic belief that differs from your inherited faith. This will improve your chances of reaching heaven significantly.
Truthfully, religion and spirituality are not synonymous. Not even close. Unlike religion, spirituality has no boundaries. There are no Gods to worship and no written principles to follow.
The ‘Rules’ & The Reality
Spirituality has no guidelines; it is merely the act of conscious decision-making, usually revolving around a greater good.
You may consider robbing a bank to achieve a higher state of consciousness. It is delusional, but one could argue that the strength and will power cultivated to do so will inherently manifest into all aspects of life. Along with a prison sentence or whatever.
A spiritual journey is as much of a roller coaster as any other anxiety paradigm, just in an entirely different amusement park. It is the road of self-discovery. The cost of living spiritually illustrates three blatant realities: isolation, confusion, and excessive morality. The rewards: a life of meaning and purpose.
The mind-expanding properties of consciousness are not as glorified as they may be deemed. In the pursuit for greater awareness, what is lost in bliss and elation is bound to awareness itself.
It happens in the most gradual of ways, whereby an augmented awareness may yield new fables of judgment to people, ideas, and lifestyles that were once supposed enjoyable. The negatives of life begin to appear awfully evident. Food that was once assumed ‘yummy’ is now toxic, and old habits are now unfulfilling.
A Day In The Life
Admittedly, I am a spiritual person. An average day for me consists of 4 a.m. wake-ups, eight hours of meditation, three out-of-body experiences, nine years of fasting, and a visit to the Taj Mahal. At least that’s what my friends think when I tell them I am spiritual.
In reality, I blend in quite well with society. While my beliefs may differ from the vast majority, I am in line with social norms and seek no judgment based on what others believe. Excluding the dream-catcher hanging from the rear-view mirror of my car, my ‘mystical dogmas’ are invisible to the external world (damn, my secret is out).
An interesting comparison can be made between a drug-addict and a spiritual-addict; the difference lays not in the drug itself, but where it is found. As a self-proclaimed aficionado of Zen-like practices (mediation in particular), my fix for tranquility lays never more than a 20-minute travel into the trenches of my own mind.
Yes I do mediate, and yes I do fast. But this has no significance as to what spirituality actually requires. My definition of spirituality is the consistent pursuit of improvement and exploration in self-awareness, self-esteem, and morality.
For a spiritual enthusiast, it can be difficult to find and connect with others who resonate with equivalent scalar values. In the matrix of materialism and jealousy, not many concern themselves with a moral compass.
This lack of connection permeates loneliness and isolation, for it seems implausible to fit in. Interestingly, the stronger connection to one’s self yields a greater dissonance to society. I have found that those who search for connection the most ensure the greatest difficulty finding it.
It is undeniable that everyone faces struggles beyond recognition. We are not taught in school how to cope with stress, anxiety, the death of a loved one, or fear of rejection – these are experienced first hand, and can lead one through misery and sorrow if not handled accordingly.
In times of despair, spirituality can mend a crucial support system to preserve faith and trust in yourself. When gratitude is sought, abundance is reaped.
The ethereal qualities of spiritual beliefs enforce a state of mind that is not externally conditioned. When internally fulfilled, there is a diminished need to prove your worth, and an elevated confidence to embrace discomfort once again.
Evidently, a day in the life of a spiritual person is a day in the life of us all.