By “Practical Spirituality” I mean practically applying spirituality in daily life. For example, one outcome of applying spirituality successfully would be to remain calmly engaged in activity even though unsettling events happen around me. I would then float upon a well of peace that springs from within myself regardless of the disturbances in the world.
In truth, this is a sliding scale. Remaining well-anchored to the peace within happens more on a spiritually better day and less during others. But, to have a spiritual shelter within that is just one calm breath away is like having a home to go back to when I am tired. Conversely, not having such a shelter within is like being mentally homeless in a chaotic world.
The Advanced Meditation Exercise (TAME): This meditation technique is an incredibly powerful way to keep the mind peaceful. It is prescribed in Bhagwad Gita, the primary book of Indian spiritual heritage. It derives its power by activating three key things in us: detachment, stillness, and transformation.
Why TAME meditation appears to work better than other techniques: TAME meditation appears to be more effective than other meditation techniques because it activates three essential elements of meditation: detachment, transformation, and stillness. Meditation needs all three.
Use Meditation to counter depression and stress: Modern approaches towards depression and stress are not working as they do not understand the mind that creates them. It’s time to rethink our approach.
TAME Meditation can block out pain: In my personal experience, TAME meditation technique can reduce and even block out pain. This works best for pain that is constant and predictable. And, Medical Science needs to pay attention.
What does it mean to be spiritual “Spiritual” and “spiritual advance” are words used frequently in my writing. In this article, I try to lay out a simple description of a “spiritual person” and what I mean by “spiritual advance”.
Float above reality …. to remain always happy: Use the TAME meditation technique to keep yourself emotionally detached from ups and downs of the daily grind. This can feel like physically floating above the world. Don’t get divorced from reality, but don’t get drowned by it either.
Why should I be more spiritual? Being more spiritual makes me happy everyday. It gives me a level of control over my mind that I did not earlier have. And, it gives me a more satisfied life.
Do we really understand the meaning of religion? According to ancient Indian spiritual texts, religion is being true to oneself. So, each of us must have the freedom to explore and decide for ourselves what our true self is.
Quality of Life depends upon our skill at remaining happy: In a fast-moving world that increases the frequency of setbacks we encounter and where mental health is increasingly a problem, people need to build skills that help them consciously remain happy.
The first step towards genuine happiness …. recognizing what it is not: Happiness does not come from fulfilling desires. Once we truly understand this, we have taken our first step towards happiness.
The World does not really understand Yoga: Yoga is primarily a mental exercise. Most people wrongly see it as a physical one and thereby miss out on the vast benefits it offers.
Scientific Spirituality: A scientific, experiment-based approach towards spiritualism and ancient Indian texts could serve us well.
All spiritualism through one meditation technique? Could one meditation-breathing technique replicate most of the things taught by Bhagwad Gita, the epitome of Indian spiritual heritage?
The most powerful story for spiritual advance: What does it take to keep advancing spiritually?
Why mindfulness is not enough: Mindfulness initiatives will miss their potential untill they addresses the inherent restlessness of the mind.
Spiritual Reflexes: I call a “mental reflex” the immediate mental reaction to any event in terms of thoughts and emotions. As a person strives to advance spiritually, this first reaction and its after-effects need to be replaced with what I would call a “spiritual reflex”.
The Copernicus Logic: Just as Copernicus’s revolutionary heliocentric theory was difficult to appreciate due to the enormity of its scope, Indian epics are not easy to fathom in one step. It’s probably better if one starts small and focuses on whether the practical guidelines on meditation, yoga, and work are personally beneficial and bring happiness.
Desire is the root-cause of all suffering: There is a toxic tendency within us to reflexively never be satisfied and always want something more. This prevents us from being happy. Spiritual techniques weaken this tendency and make us happier regardless of what is happening around us.
Controlling the mind: It is possible to acquire significant level of control over one’s mind and thereby lead happier lives. The approach may need to be radically different from what you might expect.
Controlling the mind – Article 2: Second in the series of articles on controlling the mind based on learnings from the Indian epic of Mahabharat. Here I cover the bad actors within the mind.
Controlling the mind – Article 3: Third in the series of articles on controlling the mind based on learnings from the Indian epic of Mahabharat. This post covers the good actors within the mind that make us more spiritual, at peace, and happy.
Mental Shelters: Each of us likely has “mental shelters” that we often take refuge in. In difficult time, these shelters might disappear and this loss may create distress. It helps to cultivate “spiritual shelters” as these are more resilient.
The Ultimate Wealth: It’s not based on money. The super-rich will find it almost impossible to acquire. So will the very poor. Rest of us have a chance if we work towards it.
Spiritual Advance can accelerate in a crisis: Spiritual advance happens in fits and starts. And, it can accelerate significantly during a crisis, if the person makes an effort.
What about God: Everyone appears to have a personal relationship with God. Even atheists appear to ignore or disbelieve Him with a passion. Does He have a role to play in a personal spiritual journey?
The Yogic-Breathing Pause: Practicing pranayama and meditation can improve the quality of our reactions and decisions.
Slowing down is essential for spiritual advance: a life full of hurry cannot possibly advance spiritually.
Right role models: We need roles models today that are different from the ones we have been seeing.
Let it be: Excessive stimulation of senses is detrimental to spiritual progress. Abstinence and moderation are pre-requisites for brining peace to the mind.
Chitt Vritti Nirodh: Yoga is not about performance of physical exercise or about physical fitness. Its objective is to bring absolute peace to the mind.
Where do you live? Here’s another way to look at your place of residence.