In life, we attach less weight to the spiritual aspect than we do to other domains. We believe that we create our luck whereas there are several instances where our spiritual connection makes us come out on top or saves us from the evil. An invisible hand – for believers of different religions is quite common. They say their locus of control rests with some higher being in the sky.
How do you find out if you or someone you have become is spiritually mature? Look out for the following signs:
1. Your life is guided by a core set of principles and values
Our life is governed by a certain set of principles. Whatever we do is a direct result of what beliefs we have always held on to. A person who is not spiritually strong will always credit the successes to his own doings and failures, he will blame on others.
Such a person fails to realize there are always spiritual forces at work guiding or protecting them. Those are, on the other hand, spiritually strong inculcate in them the habits of love and compassion because they know they are being taken care of so why shouldn’t they care for others? If ever something bad occurs they tell themselves, “I am being taught a lesson here.”
2. You are slow to hold on to grudges and quick to forgive
If you hold on to old grudges or make it your objective to wish bad and intend to hurt the other person for the wrong they once did to you, you are making life difficult for yourself. As only a spiritually immature person would let themselves be consumed with hatred of the sort.
Many people come and go in our lives, and the bad ones are here to give us the taste of how low humanity can hit or how evil a person can get. Upon closer inspection, you will find that, although people are usually good, some past event has shaped them into the person they’ve become today.
So you learn to empathize and try letting go of the incident and speak a kind word to them. You are the first to forgive. This elevates your status in front of them, no matter how ill they thought of you in the first place. Life is wonderful and the spiritually strong understand this. They say gratitude and move on.
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
3. You care deeply for the poor, the marginalized, and the downtrodden
All the religions in the world tell us to care for the needy and the poor. Thus, the ones who are spiritually strong would find time out of their busy schedules to always help those in need. Often we tell ourselves we are too caught up in the race to make a living that we forget about the less fortunate, even if we had intentions of helping them.
I suggest you ask the same question to the spiritually strong who, just like us, also have jobs and families to tend to, and they will inform you how they are still able to manage time for the poor. As the famous saying goes, “It’s not about “having time. It’s about making time.”
4. You maintain your childlike sense of wonder
If you are a person who is spiritually strong then you will never give up the curious nature you had when you were only a child. It is common for people to give up on their sense of wonder as adult life begins to take over and they get burdened with responsibilities.
I am not criticizing anyone but see that is the difference. When you are spiritually connected, you rest your case with the authority up above after giving it your all. Meanwhile, he takes care of the matter, you enjoy life and have fun. No one likes to lead a mundane lifestyle, hence, they take every day as a gift.
5. You are wary of the dangers of excess yet you have an abundance mindset
At first the above can appear to be confusing, however, when you look closely you will see that being spiritual helps you maintain the balance between materialistic gains and spiritual pursuits. When they gather something, they do it without hoarding such as wealth.
Nonetheless, at the same time don’t indulge heavily in making money. When it comes to giving away such as charity, they do it with an abundance mindset, albeit they want to share and it is not just for show. The idea they stick by is the more they give, the more the blessings multiply.
“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” – Wayne Dyer
6. You defer pleasure
The idea that instant gratification from quick pleasure seeking sources is our right, is the mindset of morally bankrupt people. Those who are strong spiritually tend to defer this pleasure and realize that this does not bring happiness. On the contrary, it can bring more remorse and regret which can engulf a person.
It does not mean spiritually motivated people do not have the right to experience pleasure, It’s just that they feel if something is worth pleasure, it takes doing on their part rather than resorting to other means. If it is sex, they know the practice is confined to the institution of marriage and this has been instructed in almost all faiths.
In order for society to change, the change begins on an individual basis. Spiritually strong people take responsibility for what they’re doing in life. If it good, they take the credit humbly. If not, then they own up to it instead of running away. Always understand what you do now will have an effect later.
What do you do in order to spiritually humble yourself? Let us know in the comments below!
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com
Great post. Love the way you express. Just love it.