Deepening Spiritual Awareness
Behind all apparent phenomena, there lies a deeper dimension that has been referred to or described using a variety of different terms, including essence, soul, God, higher Self, oneness, unity, Being, sacred, spiritual, Divine, deeper, transpersonal, and transcendent, among others. Whatever words one chooses to describe this seemingly primary realm of reality, it is this dimension that calls to us, that we seek to remember. Every experience in life provides an opportunity to become aware of those unconscious mental and emotional patterns that keep us from realizing this sacred realm, not only out there in our lives, but, perhaps most importantly, within ourselves, for once we have identified and embraced this dimension as part of our very Being, it is natural to recognize this underlying, unitive thread in all there is.
Two important ways to deepen and intensify one's spiritual awareness is through spiritual practice and self-inquiry. Through the practices of meditation, contemplative prayer, and self-study one can alleviate the suffering that often results when the mind becomes attached to or contracted around such painful states as fear, sadness, greed, jealousy, anger, guilt, and longing, forgetful of one's soul that lies outside of time and space, eternal and unchanged by the constant pushes and pulls of this world.
By practicing stillness, one slowly quiets the general "noise" of the mind and develops a watchful, peaceful inner presence or Witness that calmly observes, without reaction, not only the contents of one's own mind, but the reactions of other minds as well as, in general, the events of the world. Regarding self-inquiry, spiritual counseling is a means by which individuals can first recognize and then reduce the momentum of their unconscious patterns and inclinations, those barriers that mask or cover one's loving presence. Exploring this inner territory with a spiritually committed and sensitive counselor can also assist in the process of spiritual awakening by guiding the individual to what the Bible refers to as "the still, small voice (I Kings 19:12)."
Without the awareness that comes from such practices, however, our unconscious habits become even stronger and eventually manifest themselves as behaviors that harm oneself and others. It is only when our increased self-awareness provides a space around and, thereby, freedom from these habitual ways of reacting, are we more able to recognize that deeper sacred place. Non-attachment helps us to be present in the moment thereby bringing an awareness that enables us to be one with life. Uncovered and, thereby, revealed in this way, spirit shows itself as confidence, fearlessness, peace of mind, joy, compassion, and inspiration, often manifesting spontaneously as creative energy. These words reflect a particular experience. What would it be like to be someone who manifests all of these attributes with everyone and everything, all of the time, no matter what happens?
In the words of Jack Kornfield (from A path with heart: A guide through the perils and promises of spiritual life, 1993, New York: Bantam Books):
As our development of self grows and our heart becomes less entangled., we begin to discover a deeper truth about the self. We do not have to improve ourselves, we just have to let go of what blocks our heart. When our heart is free from the contractions of fear, anger, grasping, and confusion, the spiritual qualities we have tried to cultivate manifest in us naturally. They are our true nature, and they spontaneously shine in our consciousness whenever we let go of the rigid structures of our identity.
Beneath our struggles and beyond any desire to develop self, we can discover our [true self], an inherent fearlessness and connectedness, integrity, and belonging. Like groundwater these essential qualities are our true nature, manifesting whenever we are able to let go of our limited sense of ourselves, our unworthiness, our deficiency, and our longing. The experience of our true self is luminous, sacred, and transforming. The peace and perfection of our true nature is one of the great mystical reflections of consciousness described beautifully in a hundred traditions (pp. 209-211).
In exploring the nature of the Divine and how this reality manifests in our day-to-day lives, we offer the following list of suggested attributes of a spiritual way of being:
| - love | - peacefulness | - practice |
| - grace | - gratitude | - selflessness |
| - integrity | - devotion | - confidence |
| - wisdom | - discernment | - trust |
| - joyfulness | - compassion | - humility |
| - generosity | - fearlessness | - awareness |
- letting go (acceptance-surrender
to the Divine)
- seeing harmony in all apparent opposites
- living in the here-and-now (beginner's mind)
- silence-stillness (to hear the Voice within)
- being aware of the connectedness of all that is
- not being attached to the fruits of our actions
- seeking truth (that which doesn't change)
- being with that which evokes the sacred
- power of one's presence (being a Light)
- being in the world and not of it
- embracing all of life including the pain
- child-like wonder
- inspired enthusiasm (passion and spontaneity)
- selfless service
- follow your heart
- releasing old patterns
- being non-reactive (responding vs. reacting)
-knowing when to speak and act (sensitive to timing)