Walk it with care
Not long ago, I was in meeting where people were sharing stories about themselves and I heard a young man say, “At this point in my spiritual path….”
I’ve heard the expression many times, but it got me to thinking. When people speak of their spiritual path, what exactly are they speaking of?
When I think of a spiritual path, I think of a journey someone has taken.
I find I’m asking people about their spiritual path more often these days, the information they relay is much more interesting and telling than generic topics like what they do for a living, what they studied in school or the boring (I mean common)topics of sports and weather.
Spirituality can be considered a taboo (you know, one of those topics you don’t ask people about), but I think it’s only taboo to the close minded. Or, those who are not prepared to accept someone elses’ spiritual path or want to to persuade or attempt to change the mind of another. There are no taboos when you are free from an agenda.
The following is an example of a spiritual path which seems to be more or less a common one. I’ve heard the same or a similar stories recounted a number of times.
Usually begins as a young person being raised within some type of spirituality or religious belief. Early on they develop along the spiritual path they are conditioned to. Sometimes, this spiritual path is a long narrow trail that never deviates or forks in any direction. It suits the individual who doesn’t question just follows.
Yet, many, as maturing young people with minds and bodies that leave the nest and enter the world separate from their spiritual upbringing. They test the spiritual waters still tugged by the ingrained nature of their rearing.
Nonetheless, many do begin to question. Others may not begin their questioning period until later in life but it inevitably happens. Often, questioning of your spirituality is bounced off of an event of some kind; having a child, experiencing an illness, losing someone close, marriage or divorce. Who knows, only the individual.
If questioning turns into serious questioning, more times than not, it leads to rebellion. Rebellion is great until the person understands that rebellion is disdain or anger which doesn’t make a lot of progress on it’s own. It simply fuels to need to distance from your former beliefs.
It’s a good time to pause and ask some questions.
This is where a definite fork appears in the path. Seems like some take the left instead of the right others take the right instead of the left (no political connection here). The point being that a person’s rebellion can result in leaving spirituality behind completely, allowing it to wither and decay like the leaves that fall to the ground prior to winter. Or, they can allow the rebellion to soften and begin to lead them toward their own spiritual way.
Seek and ye shall find, finding a place to ‘hang their proverbial spiritual hat.’
Wherever it leads and whatever it looks like from there is up to the spiritual seeker. Real answers to questions and the fulfillment of expectations happen. Deciding that you really want a spiritual base that resonates and speaks to you. Spirituality should lead to a more complete, peaceful, meaningful existence.
You decide you’re not turning back, you’re turning inward, outward and forward.
Then, you find a place to call home. And then, you find a place to be. You learn and listen and feel your way to a path that is spiritually pleasing. It gives you peace of mind, support and comfort. Isn’t that the expectation and the answer to the questions you were asking of spirituality? And guess what, you get to decide it all on your own.
This is just one example of a spiritual path that I am intimately familiar. Yours may resemble in parts or be altogether different. Either way your spiritual path is exactly that, yours. Walk it with care.
