6 Common Misconceptions About “Being Spiritual”
Nearly 10 years ago I was handed a book. This book wasn’t the Bible, a Quran, Bhagavad Gita or any other ancient spiritual script, but this book I was handed shifted my life more than any other.
This book was entitled, The Way To The Kingdom by Joseph Brenner. While the title and author meant little to me at the time, the words filling this book caused a massive spiritual shift.
This book spoke of things that aligned with what I felt to be true in my heart. It didn’t speak about a jealous God that ruled us and of whom we should be afraid. It didn’t speak about submitting to a person who was closer to “God” than you or I. It didn’t speak about these mysterious places, heaven and hell, that we spend so much time imagining.
Instead, this book helped me recognize the power within.
The power not just in me, but the Essence running through all. The divine order which holds the planets in space, empowers the plants to awake, and the same energy that provides us with a conscious mind with which to think and create.
This was my journey into spirituality.
*Important Disclaimer – Read with an open mind and open heart. Below is a perspective of life that may be a little different than yours. Don’t disregard it just because it is foreign, instead I invite you to read with peace of mind. If you are unwilling to open your mind to ideas that may challenge your beliefs, please go to this post.
Oh… So You Believe You’re God?
This was one of the first questions I’d get asked after telling someone I wasn’t religious, but I was spiritual.
So what do I mean about being spiritual?
What I uncovered was this… Within us all is an Essence, an Energy, one God if you will. This Essence is the One behind all things. It is the energy that allows atoms to exist, It is the space in which electrons pop in and out of existence. It is the space in which our entire universe sits, yet is the very Energy that is in each element that composes each planet in the countless galaxies that surround you and I.
This Essence is the One power that makes up the sun, the same Essence that fills the air. It is the same Life that makes up your cells. It is the ribosomes, mitochondria, the cellular membranes that are held together by molecules, atoms and energy.
It is the mind you use to think, for It is the very Essence that awakened you this morning. It is also the Essence that enables your neighbor to wave at you, our planet to spin and the trees to grow branches and shed leaves.
It is the One Essence. It is God. At the depths of all things It is Life Itself.
God must be everywhere present for life to exist. Therefore, I am not the Almighty God by myself, but I am apart of this Universal, omnipotent, omnipresent, Essence that is.
Aside from this common question many spiritual folks are asked, here are a few more of the common misconceptions regarding the term “being spiritual.”
*Please note: Just because one says they are religious or spiritual, does not mean they are an enlightened person. While there is but one Essence, we must not disregard the ignorant behaviors by even the most religious/spiritual individual. Look to one’s actions to see the character contained within.
6 Misconceptions About Being Spiritual
#1 – So You Think You Are God? – As mentioned above, I am apart of the One Essence or Life that creates it all. As are you, the person down the road, and the stars above. It is all connected.
#2 – You don’t believe in religions? – At the base of all religions a common theme rings through them all. They are:
- Do good to your fellow man and woman as well as this planet you are upon
- Honor the Essence that not only awakes you but awakens all.
I believe this part of all religions, from Christianity to Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism, Judaism and New Thought, to Buddhism and all the others. No one man or woman is any more holy than another. We are all awakened by the same Essence of Life.
#3 – You’re Not Scared of Going to Hell? – This is a hot topic for many people. I’ve actually lost friends over this question. Guess it was this answer that did it.
I don’t believe that the One Essence would create out of Itself a devil to torture other creators the One Essence created. Instead, I told my friends that while we are alive today, one man spends his days in heaven, while another person lives in hell, it doesn’t change the Essence within us, but is all what we tell ourselves.
Question: If God is everywhere present, wouldn’t God be in both heaven and hell?
#4 – Do You Study Religious Texts? – I enjoy reading all kinds of religious texts. Within all religions great wisdom is contained. This is especially true because as mentioned above, they are based on a similar foundation of compassion, respect and gratitude for all of life. I believe that we should be weary of the translations and the various ways humans use spiritual texts to keep others in fear, worry or in a submissive state.
I encourage everyone to open up spiritual texts from a religion other than their own. Doing so will help show the similarities we have with one another.
#5 – So You Believe In Woo-Woo? – No, I believe that we are all a piece of the Infinite. I find it interesting that the people who tell me that spirituality is woo-woo are quick to remind me of stories that fill their religious texts. I don’t subscribe to woo-woo but do believe that we are co-creating our experience through the Essence of life which we are. Specifically our thoughts, choices and actions. On top of that, we are each dwelling within a consciousness that is assisting in the creation of our world, our traditions, religions and all other things that fill our minds.
Wait, was that woo-woo?
#6 – How Do I Become More Spiritual? – The greatest thing about the spiritual path is that it is a journey inward. It is a path you must walk for yourself. It affects the way you speak with others, the thoughts you think about yourself, the work you share with the world and the connection you share with all. To become more spiritual I would recommend you begin with these things here:
Meditation and stillness. Gratitude and thanksgiving. Appreciation and compassion for all things. Let your conscious mind become aware of the thoughts that fill your mind and focus your time and energy toward being your best, uplifting others and being an overall beneficial presence on our planet.
Here are 5 more everyday activities you can do to strengthen your spiritual development:
I’d Like To Learn More Ways To Maximize My Day
Very Important Disclaimer For You
I greatly appreciate you spending some time reading the words above. I would like to remind you that this is my view and my perspective of what I believe to be true.
In no way am I attempting to condemn, ridicule, point fingers at, disrespect, dishonor, or speak viciously toward any religion.
I respect you and your spiritual path enough to understand that we all have different perspectives.
I do, however, feel it is very important to begin this interfaith conversation. With all the things that fill our news waves, it is a wonderful time for us to come together at a deeper level and embrace our similarities instead of highlighting our differences.
There are no similarities deeper than the Life we share which fills us all. Embracing this Essence, we understand that what we do unto another, we do unto ourselves.
Thought
When you hear someone tell you they’re spiritual, what comes to mind?
Leave your Comments below.
You are appreciated.
Peace
Happiness
Compassion
Respect
Jeffon Seely