Truth About Spiritual Journey
To start with, I never thought that someday I would be writing a blog on my spiritual journey. Till few years back, I was an Atheist. Many traumatic experiences in my life made me lose my faith in that higher intelligence, which runs the universe. I became bitter, complaining all the time, had less hope and was filled more with uncertainties and anxieties. Then, what brought me back to GOD?
Fate?
Destiny?
More Traumas?
Divine Conspiracies?
Well! All of that.
A few years back, I encountered Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism (expounded from the Lotus Sutra by Nichiren Daishonin, a Japanese priest living in the 12th Century AD [originally scripted by Gautama Buddha] ) through a friend and colleague. I was trying to find answers to a lot of existential questions.
The reason I joined Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is because it is a philosophy (a way of living life) and not a religion. Ever since I started practicing Buddhism, my faith and love for GOD have grown exponentially. I understood that I wasn’t being neglected. That every rejection, every hardship, every failure was a protection in disguise. It was a chance to become my better, brighter version and that my CREATOR loves me equally, dearly, like HE loves everybody else!
However, any spiritual journey is not meant to be easy. There are many uncomfortable truths about spirituality, you need to know before you embark on your own journey.
1.It brings you face to face with your biggest friend and foe- YOUR MIND! Most of the time, it is not anything or anybody from outside, but our mindset that prevents us from moving ahead in life. The more you grow in your spiritual journey, you will start understanding the way your mind has been playing tricks on you. But when used wisely, our mind is our best friend. Sometimes, mental skepticism is a result of past traumas, wrong conditioning over the years, our ego, fear, and jealousy. In the language of Nichiren Buddhism, we call this “Fundamental Darkness”.
“Be the master of your mind, don’t let your mind be your master.”
Talking about my own experience, every time I chanted ‘Nam Myoho Renge Kyo’(the main mantra chanted in Nichiren Buddhism), followed by taking inspired actions, I felt more empowered over my lower self.
In spirituality, it is also called confronting your shadow self. Truth to be spoken, it can get uncomfortable at times. But that’s when one needs to hold on the most. However, dark the tunnel may get, it is only when you crossover that you see the light!
2. Be prepared to become lonely, even if for a while, while walking down the spiritual path. Based on my personal experiences, as I started taking my spiritual practice more seriously, I lost many close contacts. Some of them claimed to be my well-wishers and friends, and I have known these people for years. But gradually, they started telling me their true intentions, showing me their real facades. I had no option but to put up boundaries where needed. It gets scary, lonely and overwhelming at times. But later, I understood there’s a higher power working in my favor, who wants me to see the truth in every person and situation.
In hindsight, every time I chanted, I also realized my own mistakes and said sorry to many people. Some of these apologies have been pending for a long time. One of the fundamental teachings of Nichiren Buddhism is that there is a Buddha-nature (Buddhahood) in every individual. We need to tap it through consistent study, practice and faith. These are said to be the three main pillars of Nichiren Buddhism. It’s about respecting the dignity of every human life.
I realized I can maintain boundaries with few people, yet wish them well and pray for them. Because if one develops an infinite state of boundless wisdom and compassion within; things, people and circumstances are certain to change from without and for the best. It’s also about creating an egalitarian view and coming to the realization that we are all but one!
3. Whatever do not serve you will move away. It also happens because, when you are in alignment with your higher self, you automatically stop investing time, energy on things that no longer serve your highest and long-term good.
We all want to take that leap of faith, but do not have a safe anchor to hold onto!
My spiritual practice gave me the courage to face my limitations, work on myself, my life, my career, to let go of relationships/friendships and even the career that was no longer serving me.
It gave me the courage to START OVER.
A new way of looking at life,
With a reinforced purpose of living,
During this time, I also had chance encounters with people, who put me back from the victim mentality into the survivor mode.
It is not easy! It was never easy. There are days I ask myself that even if I am on the right path?
For the past few years, I have found myself standing at the cliff (metaphorically speaking) thinking about taking that leap of faith but I was lacking in courage
Did I reach there yet?
Well not yet! Still many more miles to go, before I rest.
But finally, I did take that leap of faith and it made me realize that I had it in me all along. What matters is practicing courage every moment and day of life. Because we can only give our best at any point in time, as results or outcomes are not completely in our hands.
I did see many failures on the way and continue facing them now and then.
But this time, not with a complaining attitude. Because even when a lot of things are not working out for me, I know there is a higher power working with me, for me and never against me. Most of all , it is important to SURRENDER AND TRUST (after you have done the work). My spiritual journey taught me to hope against all odds and surrender.
As the saying goes:
“Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.”
― Albert Schweitzer
Lastly, keep the faith and continue walking your spiritual paths.
There is one famous quote from Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
“Winter always turns into Spring”
― Nichiren Daishonin
Till then prepare yourself well.
And like it is said in Nichiren Buddhism,
Chant “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” :)