DIFFERENT people have different understandings of spirituality. Some see it as having a relationship with a spiritual being whom one may consider their creator, savior, redeemer, and so on. Some think of it in terms of communing with the universe, creation, or all of matter, of having some sort of synchronicity with invisible, supernatural, or unknown forces.
I like to think of it, simply, as having peace with myself.
So-called spiritual teachers and gurus have recommended many paths to better spirituality -- joining a religious body or church, prayer, meditation, fasting, yoga, studying scriptures. Some religious groups even attempt to “measure” one’s spirituality by checking attendance at services, percentage of tithes to one’s income, time spent studying doctrines, etc.
I have been there, done that, cried my heart out in repentance, danced my feet off in worship, studied the scriptures, prayed again and again in the quiet corner of my room, as well as joined with others in communal prayer.
None of those really gave me peace, at least, not the kind of peace that I have now.
But it was/is a personal journey. I do not claim to hold the 5 Steps to Enlightenment or 21 Days to a More Spiritual You that you can also achieve if you enroll in my course and pay the P1899 registration fee. Although if you want to send me money, I won’t stop you. Email me and I’ll give you my GCash number.
What I can do is just share my experience. If that is useful for you, then fine. If not, fine as well.
You see, I believe that people have perverted spirituality, theology, and so on. I believe that long ago there were people who sincerely sought the truth, had discussions with those like-minded, and recorded their reflections. Then other people came and instead of looking at these records as conjectures, pointers, guideposts or jump-off points, they made them into scriptures and systems -- to be followed to the letter or else. Instead of priests whose role is to guide each person into inner peace, they became enforcers of external practices that supposedly exhibit one’s piety.
In fact, one can even take courses in theology, get grades for it, and even an M.A. or a Ph.D. in it. That just goes to show that theology is no longer a search for truth but rather a system of preservation of beliefs.
So what did I do? Well, the very first step I took, which I believe was the key to it all, was letting go of all my beliefs -- yes everything that I held sacred or untouchable, I eventually let go, not because I despised them but I understood the zen parable of the empty cup: I cannot receive truth in its purity if there is still something left that I am not willing to let go.
Email me at andy@freethinking.me. View previous articles at www.freethinking.me.