Spirituality
I think that most of us are like those students. We already have a sense of this mysterious and defining dimension that makes us special before we ask questions about the meaning of spirituality. How many times have we turned away from depression, hopelessness, irrational dependencies, destructive anger and a bloated ego by paying attention to our spiritual inner voice telling us to open our eyes. In those moments we intuitively saw the ways that our world could be. Instead of wallowing in depression, we chose joy. Instead of hanging on to our irrational dependencies, we focused on our freedom. Instead of fueling our destructive anger, we did a hundred and eighty-degree turn to solve our problems creatively. Instead of feeding our hate, we embraced love. When psychologically backed up against the wall, we drew on our spiritual powers that rescued us from the brink of self-destruction.
For many reasons, like inattentiveness and just being too busy, our spiritual awareness fades into the shadows of our well-honed routines. Our efficiency and effectiveness assuring the satisfaction of our basic needs can cut two ways. Although they contribute to a comfortable and complacent life, they can also rob us of the passion, joy and creativity of the spiritual life. Our contentment with the present moment can shroud our sense of the ‘more’.
Sooner or later distressing events interrupt our placid life – a loved one dies; we lose a job; a deal goes sour; a close relationship crumbles; or, just plain boredom overwhelms us. On the heels of such crises the spiritual dimension comes roaring out of the shadows and proclaims, “There must be more to life than contentment!” At that moment we know that it’s time for our busy egos to tone down its compulsive activities; it’s time to listen to our intuition alerting us to the ‘more’. Nature, the expanding universe, the spirit world of our ancestors, a personal God, or, all of these could be the ‘more’.
Opening the door to our spiritual life is like coming home after a busy day at work. We take off our business clothes, dress down, relax, and talk with our loved ones. When we come home spiritually, we leave our worries behind and begin a conversation with the Source of our life. It’s still the same world that we have been living in, but now we see it differently through our spiritual eyes. We also see ourselves clearly, fully and authentically beyond the labels, the titles and the roles that we have picked up along the way. In our spiritual home we can honestly say, “I am a dynamo of energy. I am really free. I can become what I see. I am connected to the Source of life and everyone in the universe”. Then, our tough-minded reason asks, “What will I do with all this spiritual energy?”
The Vision Circles Program works on the hypothesis that we are spiritual beings meant to participate more intensely and creatively in this world, not to escape it. The spiritual world is a state of mind through which we see ourselves and each other authentically and through which we act genuinely. The following example shows you how to use the OSCAR method to think about your own sense of spirituality. I have not linked religious feelings, beliefs, rituals, or doctrines with an awareness of one’s spirituality, although the spiritual and religious dimensions are intimately intertwined. But, you can easily incorporate your religious faith within the Vision Circles Program.
Circle One: What am I saying to myself about spirituality?
” I believe that I am more interested in spiritual things than material ones. Like …it’s the intention and feeling behind the gift that I value more than the thing. In difficult times I call on God to help me. I feel closer to God in nature. I don’t seem to be doing much to develop my spiritual tendencies, but, then, I don’t know much about growing spiritually. If spirituality is a big part of who I am, then, maybe I ought to find out more about it.”
Circle Two: What am I feeling, thinking and doing about spirituality?
Feeling – I feel hopeful and peaceful when I think about myself as spiritual.
Thinking – I believe that being spiritual is important to me. I identify being spiritual with simple experiences,like the feeling I have in a good friendship. My thinking is not clear about growing spiritually.
Behaviors – Sometimes I pray and ask for guidance. Sometimes I’ll spend time alone with nature.
Circle Three: What spiritual ideals am I in touch with?
When I’m spiritually aware, I’m in touch with being a better me, more genuine, more generous, and more creative. I just want to be a better me and to contribute to the people around me.
Circle Four: What tendencies do I experience most when I am aware of myself as a spiritual being?
When I’m spiritually aware my vision about who I am becomes a little clearer. I feel free from all kinds of pressure. I feel open to change and ready to follow my ideals. But, I’m confused about how to do this. I need to find ways to order and control my life spiritually.
What are the positives and the negatives in each circle in Step One? What do I need to eliminate, strengthen and/or add?
Circle One: My self talk
On the plus side my self-talk keeps me in touch with my spiritual dimension. On the minus side my self-talk leaves me at a dead-end. It’s like saying to myself, “I’m spiritual, so what? What’s practical value of being spiritual?” I need to find out more about growing spiritually.
Circle Two: My feelings, thoughts and behaviors regarding spirituality
My feelings – I have positive feelings of hope and peace, but they come and go.
My thinking – My thinking regarding spirituality is positive, but on the minus side I’m not clear about what spirituality means to me. I need to do more reflecting and reading.
My behaviors – My behaviors are positive , but on the minus side I really don’t know what to do to strengthen my spiritual life. I need to discover practical ways to live consistently as a spiritual person.
Circle Three: My spiritual ideals
I’m in touch with the ideals of generosity and genuineness that keep me focused on my spiritual dimension. I’m sure that with more attention and reflection I’ll discover more ideals arising from my spiritual awareness.
Circle Four: My irrational, rational and more than rational tendencies
I’m in touch with my vision of myself as a spiritual person. I need to deepen my understanding of myself as a spiritually religious person. I need to stay in touch with my spiritual freedom, so that I can freely and genuinely commit myself to the Source of my life. I need to change the order of my life, so that in my career, my family, my marriage, and social life I am creating in my actions the spiritual and religious ideals that are important to me.
What are the practical ways that well help me connect my actions to my spiritual ideals?
(Note: In Step One we observed our thoughts, emotions and behaviors related to our spiritual development. In Step Two we identified the negatives that we need to eliminate and the positives that we need to strengthen or add. Step One and Step Two prepare us to focus on the vision of our ideals in Step Three. After having completed the exercises of Steps One and Two we are ready to discover the practical ways of living spiritually.)
Asking questions:
Q: What does it mean to live spiritually?
Exercise: I will think of a time when I felt most like myself. In a certain relationship I felt free, connected, united, and out of my ego. Then, there was a time when I was wrapped up in my work. I was creating reality according to what I had in my mind. In those moments I was satisfying my basic needs, but I was doing much more than that. I was realizing my ideals.
Q: How can I strengthen and effectively use my spiritual powers of reflection, intuition, freedom and creativity?
Reflection: Some things that I can reflect on in a quiet moment are: the beauty of nature while I’m at the seashore; the immensity of the universe while gazing at the stars; the joy of holding a newborn; the excellence of human works of art; the generous love of so many people serving others; the mystery of birth and death; the exemplary lives of people that lived spiritually and productively.
Intuition: I can visualize myself and feel myself being part of the power and beauty of nature. I can listen to the Source of Life within me. I can open my mind to the eternity that I am in.
Freedom: I will choose to bind myself to the ultimate reality of my life. Who or what will I choose? Love of God, love of success, love of me, love of family, love of power and prestige, etc.
Creativity: I can translate my ideals of generosity, genuineness, love, and excellence into concrete actions with my family, in my business and in my social life.
Q: What resources will help me discover the ways to think, feel and behave spiritually?
A: Consult the spiritual masters. Search out the literature about spiritual and religious development. The more ideas the better.
Using analogies to discover the practical ways of living spiritually.
Developing as a spiritual human being is like:
– developing as an artist: know and contemplate the great works of art; meditate on my deep feelings of beauty, truth, integrity; discover my style; discover the techniques that fit my style; find a good teacher; practice, practice,practice
– developing as an athlete: study the game to know its history and fine points; stay focused on the rhythm of the game; assess my weaknesses and strengths; develop drills to improve; get a good coach; practice, practice, practice
(Any analogy about transforming ideals into creative actions will help us discover practical ways of spiritually transforming our world.)
Brainstorming
Practical ideas that will help me grow spiritually:
-meditate each day for ten minutes by paying attention to my connection to nature, God and other human beings.
– meditate on what my ideals of love, genuineness and generosity mean to me in my family and career.
– stay focused by using something such as, a picture, an icon or some symbol to remind me to pay attention to my ideals.
– pay attention to what is positive in people.
– involve my family in dialogue about what is important to them.
– search for a spiritual coach such as, a minister, priest, rabbi or psychologist knowledgeable about spiritual life.
– search for a discussion group on spiritual development.
– schedule an annual retreat.
– be patient and forgiving with the negative tendencies of myself and other people.
– practice, practice, practice.
Choose the practical ideas in Step Three that best fit my situation. Plan a time and place to execute the following:
- I will meditate on my spiritual ideals for five minutes at the beginning of each day.
- I will meditate on my connection to God and human beings for five minutes in the middle of the day.
- I will read each day for at least fifteen minutes from a book on spiritual development.
- I will search for a discussion group on spirituality.
At the end of a month I will assess my self-talk about my spiritual life. I will assess the results of the above plan in Step Four. I will explore other practical ways to strengthen my spiritual awareness.
Do I experience a greater sense of joy and happiness?
Do I experience a greater sense of security and confidence?
Do I experience a greater sense of purpose?
Do I experience a greater sense of enlightenment?
Do I experience a greater sense of harmony within myself and with others?
Do I experience a greater sense of mental and emotional strength?
Do I experience a greater sense of wonder and reverence for life?