Do we control our Spiritual development?

Question

Namaste

Peace and Love

Answer 1

Yes, we can choose to pursue it or not.

I have developed simple nonsectarian, universal spiritual practices based on my experience and background with various religious and spiritual paths. For me, the purpose of any spiritual practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness, and to develop wonder, gratitude, and awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe.

Here are the simple techniques that I have developed. For both chanting and silent meditation practice, your specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.

Way of Oneness Chanting Practice

Being more musically inclined, I created a nonsectarian alternative to the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (or mantra) to a visual object (often a scroll, picture or statue). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form of meditation which is discussed below.

You are more than welcome to use this chanting practice if you think you may find it possibly useful. While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra (which is a phrase which is repeated as a focusing device has "magical power", it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.

I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." as the chanting and meditation mantra which is appropriate for nonsectarian, universal spirituality in the Way of Oneness. This phrase is a reframing and translation of the Hindu term "satchitananda" (which means pure being, pure consciousness, and pure bliss) and is another way of referring to the interdependent forces of the Universe or the universal divine (or Brahman or God or Goddess or Dharmakaya or whatever label you prefer).

I use two forms: "Be One. Be Peace." for those who prefer a four syllable "mantra" or more often I recommend "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace." for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable "mantra". As in drumming, people who like to chant are attracted to the rhythm and they find it an easy way to center themselves and become mindful.

The specific chanting practice method that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace" in a position of reverence (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to a picture or photograph of the planet Earth which is a wonderful visual representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe. Just chant this phrase loudly or softly in a comfortable pace until you are satisfied.

Silent Meditation Practice in the Way of Oneness

Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid
of doubts and fears that you've lived with all your life.

There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has "non-spiritual" benefits. Here are two easy techniques:

Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

"Mantra" technique (choose a personal "calm" word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation – I use the nonsectarian "Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.") - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally "hear" your "calm" word or phrase in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.

Conclusion

That is all there is to these very simple but beneficial silent
meditation and chanting techniques. Many people think that
something "mystical" should happen during meditation or chanting. Most often "nothing" happens and "nothing" should be expected.

I hope these are helpful!

Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.

Namaste,

Dave

Answer 2

Yes, a person believe it or not, can let their spirituality be limited. It is a human thing to do actually for humans for the most part, due to their arrogance (I say that in a nice way) won't let anything have complete control. It is this way when a person first discovers their spirituality but if they allow it then eventually control is given over to their spirituality.

Answer 3

In the sense that ultimately, we do make the choice of which direction our Spiritual development is going to take, yes.

As far as controlling the rate of development, well, there are things that you can do to help with that, but I do think that there are people who are just naturally more tuned in than others, therefore spiritual development for those people is probably going to be more accelerated than it would be in someone who isn't neccessarily as naturally predisposed to(or who has been trained to reject) this kind of evolution.

I liked this question. Thanks for the opportunity to think :-)

Peace and Love to you.

Answer 4

If we choose to control it - we do. Some - like me for the first 17 years of my life - allow their parents to control it. Then for the next 25 years or so - I chose NOT to control or develop it. And then I took control - and began to learn.

We definitely have control of our Spiritual development if we choose to take it. But then - life is all about our choices - isn't it?

Namaste!!

Answer 5

No, "control" is an illusion. That "we" is an illusion. The time implied in "development" is an illusion. All that's happening here is an illusion arising out of what You are and nobody and nothing is controlling it.

The destiny of the individual you think you are is to realize the illusory nature of control, and surrender the struggle; to realize the illusory nature of time and notice that nothing needs to change; to realize the illusory nature of the individual and release that identity. That's what 'spiritual development' is all about.

Answer 6

I don't think "control" is a good word for this kind of thing, since spiritual growth comes from your last words.."Peace and Love."

The experts in this field also use the word "surrender," and that is more like letting go than it is to control. Be still and know that "I Am" God is a good phrase too.

Answer 7

We can but most people don't want to put in that kind of effort. They'd rather sit on their butts in a pew every Sunday and let someone read to them and they think they're so spiritual. Spiritual development takes action - it is something that must be sought after and only occurs during experiencing life.

Answer 8

We always control our spiritual development. Frequenly we just don't know we're doing it. Spiritual development isn't one dimensional. It includes a lot of false starts and wrong turns. In fact, false starts and wrong turns comprise most of what spiritual development is all about.

Answer 9

If you were uncertain, had a sense of lack, that you knew nothing of who/what you actually are (though in truth we all know), you would feel a need to control, because you still have that egoic need to discover and at once block your own discovery.

In other words, there is no need to control. Just be. I would want to control something I did not understand, but if I remain as created, beneath illusory physical life, then I literally am already everything as far as "God" is concerned. All That Is knows what you are, IS what you are...perfect freedom.

Answer 10

It's our ego that gets in the way of Naturalness and ego that decides to practice, sometimes for the wrong reasons. The ego gets a bad press, basicly it is only our capacity to 'get a hold on' reality, to get a 'handle' on it. Ok, there is frequently distortion, and confusion between our ego (interpretation of reality) and reality itself. But the ego can learn to surrender.

Having said that, our true Nature is always there and it is Natural for it to express itself, the Sun (or the moon) is always shining behind the clouds, and will emerge Naturally.

Problem with the ego is it likes to struggle with the clouds rather than just letting the weather be as it is.

Answer 11

Yes. The Holy Spirit is our spiritual developer. He is a perfect gentleman and He would not force us to do anything if we do not willingly agree.