Spirituality: Toward Greater Consciousness

My family is worried about me lately. They think there is something wrong with me. The problem is that I have changed. Hence they try with all their might to undo the change. But they have scarcely succeeded.

You see, I was raised in a devout Christian family. Everything went well when I followed their beliefs and religious customs. But in recent years, they don’t see me going to church so often, following the religious canons with reverence, or praying as much as they want me to. This has made them anxious.

But I feel like I have grown spiritually. The truth is, after years of seeking, meditation, and experimentation, my perception of spirituality has changed drastically.

Now I think that we are bound by many misconceptions about spirituality. For instance, some see it as a shield that makes them immune to ill fate. Many follow its dogmas in the fear of hell or the hope of heaven or both. Others use prayer as a long list of requests, mostly material. Few expect miracles.

But I sought a more profound understanding of spirituality, one that transcended traditional beliefs and practices. This blog is the culmination of my realizations.

Redefining Spirituality

“Being spiritual has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness.”

The power of now, Eckhart Tolle.

I came across this quote by Tolle and felt that it captures the essence of spirituality perfectly. Belief systems and dogmas associated with religion were created millennia ago. Though they appear stupid to our present standards, they serve a purpose: disciplining lay people so that one day they would be ready to explore the higher consciousness. But unfortunately, people are so blinded by these dogmas and beliefs that they get stuck in them. They fail to achieve the deep, subjective spiritual experience they envisage.

Through my research, I discovered that many wise thinkers across various cultures have preferred the pursuit of higher consciousness above dogmas.

Notable Christian philosophers, including Friedrich Schleiermacher, Søren Kierkegaard, Rudolf Otto, and Paul Tillich call it God-consciousness or Christ Consciousness. They taught that the ultimate goal of a person is to elevate their consciousness to achieve ‘christ hood’.

Bhagavat Geeta, the ancient Indian philosophical text, also puts forward this idea. It preaches that there is a greater consciousness within us that bears witness to everything. The goal of the spiritual seeker is to get in touch with and be one with this universal consciousness and experience the ultimate joy.

Maharshi Aurobindo preached Integral Yoga, which emphasized integrating mind, body, and spirit with Divine Consciousness. Modern thinkers like Yual Novah Harrari, Abraham Maslow, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin also, in their own unique ways, tried to explain the higher states of consciousness

How to elevate the consciousness?

Love

Cultivating unconditional love is one method. Strive to be compassionate towards everything. Thus you will feel connected to the intricate web of the universe.

Mindfulness

Our minds, like restless monkeys, constantly chatter and distract us from the present moment. To achieve a higher level of consciousness, keep your focus fixed on the present. Do everything with full awareness. Wise men say that, with practice, you will start seeing the nature of reality.

Meditation

There are many methods of meditation. As all of them are effective, find the one that suits you. If you believe in a deity, unwavering focus on the diety is the most effective form of meditation.

Connecting with nature

The closer one lives to nature the closer she is to her true self. Walk barefoot in the grass, listen to the song of the birds, marvel at the grandeur of mountains, cherish the silence of the night.

Selfless service

Selfishness is a characteristic of a lesser being. Spiritually evolved souls understand that the whole universe including themselves are the manifestations of the ultimate truth. Hence they see no point in self-centeredness.

Move to the summit

“Remain true to yourself, but move ever upward toward greater consciousness and greater love! At the summit, you will find yourselves united with all those who, from every direction, have made the same ascent. For everything that rises must converge”

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Our misconceptions, contributed greatly by religious dogmas and canons, prevent us from leading a spiritual life. It is time to transcend them. Break away from the molds that confine us.

Our society and family will surely try to desuade us. But don’t let it stop you. Sidestep the notions of material prosperity, immunity to ill fate, heaven, and hell that cloud your spirituality. Rather, aim to connect with the absolute and elevate your consciousness.

Just as a mountaineer uses each rock as a stepping stone toward the summit, we should utilize belief systems as tools for spiritual growth, transcending them to reach higher states of consciousness. Only then can we reach the summit of self-realization.

Thank you for reading. Please post your comments below.