Practical Spirituality: A Journey Toward Inner Awareness
Friends, today we embark on a series of writings on Practical Spirituality. My hope is to make even the seemingly dry and abstract subject of spirituality both engaging and relevant to your lives. As you may know, the term “spirituality” is derived from two words that signify knowledge of the soul and the Supreme or contemplation upon them. Simply put, spirituality is the knowledge or science that teaches us how to connect with the soul and, through it, progress toward realizing the Divine. In even simpler terms, spirituality is the path that guides us to discover and unite with God through the medium of the soul.
You might wonder why we are talking about spirituality but emphasizing practical spirituality. The reason is that while much has been said and written about spirituality for centuries, very few people take it seriously or embrace it in their daily lives. Over time, the profound nature of spirituality has been reduced to mere rituals and worship practices, losing its deeper essence.
While rituals like visiting places of worship, lighting incense, or singing hymns can be a starting point for spirituality, they often remain confined to the physical realm. True spirituality transcends these external acts and reaches the level of the soul. Most of us, however, remain stuck at the surface level, unable to connect with the deeper truths.
If we had truly embraced spirituality in its essence, perhaps centuries of foreign domination by Mughals and the British could have been avoided.
Let us not make this a matter of debate but instead reflect on why spirituality, with its depth and uniqueness, has remained distant from our lives. One major reason is the misconception that spirituality is an esoteric subject, accessible only to a select few or incompatible with family life. However, if this were true, why did our revered deities live with their families?
Over time, countless misconceptions have distanced us from spirituality, making it seem inaccessible. Moreover, while spiritual teachings are shared through stories and discourses, very few people explain how to integrate spirituality into our modern lives. Those who have attempted this have provided valuable insights, yet these teachings often fail to resonate because they lack practical relevance.
Spirituality, when approached practically, becomes a guide for transforming our chaotic lives into harmonious ones.
The Need for Practical Spirituality
We often hear that the modern generation cannot be taught or convinced about such topics. However, if spirituality is presented in a way that aligns with contemporary perspectives, the youth can embrace it with even greater faith and conviction. Unlike earlier generations, today’s youth do not accept mere stories or blind faith; they demand evidence and practical applicability.
While we continue to preach ideals like “believe in God,” “speak the truth,” or “do good deeds,” our own beliefs often waver in challenging situations. We fear speaking the truth and sometimes glorify wrong actions. This inconsistency, coupled with the influence of Western culture, has weakened our spiritual foundation.
So, how do we prove the relevance and power of spirituality?
The Essence of Spirituality
Our ancestors discovered through deep introspection that the body is mortal, destined to perish. However, they also realized the existence of a part of us—the soul—that is eternal and transcends physicality. The soul, while connected to the body during life, returns to the infinite upon the body’s death. With this realization, they began their search to understand the soul and the ultimate reality beyond it.
Modern science has recently discovered the God Particle, suggesting that all creation stems from an even subtler force. Similarly, our ancestors identified this eternal source long ago, naming it God. Remarkably, this discovery was made not through external tools but by exploring the depths of their own being.
Spirituality, therefore, is the science of transcending the physical and connecting with the infinite. It begins with the body, progresses through the soul, and culminates in the search for the Divine. Like modern science, spirituality has many branches—Tantra, rituals, hymns, meditation, and yoga, among others. Each path is valid and leads toward the infinite, though each has its own scope and limitations.
Understanding Practical Spirituality
To integrate spirituality into daily life, we must understand that external teachings and experiences are merely suggestions. True knowledge arises from within, as it is already latent in our subconscious mind. For instance, a teacher imparts the same lesson to all students, yet some excel, some perform averagely, and some fail. The difference lies in how each student processes and internalizes the knowledge.
Similarly, spirituality is not something external but an awakening of what already resides within us. Consider the discoveries of Newton or other scientists—did gravity not exist before Newton’s revelation? It always existed, but his focused contemplation brought it to light.
The same is true for spiritual knowledge. Great sages like Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Nanak shared profound wisdom that was not externally taught to them but emerged from their deep inner exploration.
Thus, practical spirituality involves cultivating this inner awareness and applying it to life. It is not enough to receive teachings; we must reflect upon them, analyze them, and allow them to become part of our consciousness.
In essence, practical spirituality transforms the theoretical into the experiential, guiding us toward peace, wisdom, and the realization of our infinite potential.
