A guide for spiritual growth

“Perpetrators of fear and prejudice have created a world in which money matters more than love, anger counts for more than compassion, arrogance is applauded, ignorance is acclaimed and wisdom entirely undervalued.”

Jonathan Cainer

Humans are spiritual beings. This has always been the case, long before any religion. Spirituality has helped us thrive. But in the last few thousand years we have increasingly come to worship at the altar of thought, materialism, science, money and our individual selves. This has achieved exponential growth and development but has also come at a huge cost. I believe much of the pain we see now can be explained by the loss of our spiritual foundation.

Does that mean ‘make churches great again?’ Not necessarily. That is a problem for religious organisations to solve. Spirituality is deeply personal; it is as unique as we are. It is shaped by our ancestry, culture, place, education, access, lived experience, and interests. I sometimes lean towards Celtic, Nordic and mystical Christian spirituality, while Indigenous people follow teachings that are hundreds of thousands of years old. Teachings passed down orally through endless generations, instead of captured in books. Both of us might follow the practices of various spiritual philosophies from Asia, or modern spiritual teachers. Science is now a common pathway to spirituality, and we have every spiritual and philosophical teaching that ever existed at our fingertips. How wonderful to live in a time where our spiritual growth is the ultimate ‘Choose your own adventure’ book.

Spiritual teachings vary widely across traditions and cultures, and they encompass a wide range of philosophies and beliefs. But the (genuine) teachings all share a common goal. They help us develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. All spiritual teachings guide us towards inner peace, self-awareness, and connection with something greater than our individual selves.

While diverse, they often share common themes:

Connection with something bigger: Spiritual teachings emphasise a deep, personal connection with a higher power, divine source, nature or universal consciousness. This connection is seen as fundamental to understanding one's purpose and existence.

Inner growth and transformation: Central to spiritual teachings is the idea of inner growth and transformation. Practices such as healthy living, meditation, prayer, and mindfulness are often recommended to cultivate awareness, peace of mind, and personal development.

Ethical living: Many spiritual teachings promote ethical principles such as compassion, forgiveness, honesty, and non-violence. These values guide relationships with others and the world, fostering harmony and social responsibility.

Unity and interconnectedness: Spiritual teachings often emphasise the interconnectedness of all beings and the universe. This perspective encourages a sense of unity beyond individual differences, promoting empathy and cooperation.

Purpose and meaning: Understanding one's purpose and finding meaning in life are recurring themes. Spiritual teachings encourage individuals to seek deeper truths about existence and their role in the world.

Acceptance and letting go: Practices often include acceptance of the present moment and letting go of attachments and ego-driven desires. This fosters inner peace and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Service and contribution: Many spiritual teachings emphasise the importance of service to others and making a positive impact in the world. Acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness are seen as expressions of spiritual growth.

Seeking truth and wisdom: Spiritual teachings encourage seekers to question, explore, and seek truth beyond superficial appearances. This involves introspection, study of sacred texts, and guidance from spiritual mentors or teachers.

These things have also been shown to improve our health, happiness, and quality of life. I invite you to reflect on these themes and discover what they mean to you. Do you need to ‘believe’ anything to be able to embody these themes in your life? Where can you build practices that develop your own spiritual foundation, or lead to spiritual growth? Where can you build practices that help create a more beautiful world?

Most importantly - how can we make the most of our incredible advances and combine that with the wisdom we have collected throughout humanity? What might our systems look like if they were all grounded in these foundational spiritual teachings? Could it contribute to our evolution? To our survival?

“In oneself lies the whole world. And if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open. Except yourself.”

Jiddu Krishnamurti