Practicalizing Spirituality

Vulnerability: Is It a Sign of Strength or Weakness? In her book ‘Daring Greatly,’ professor Brené Brown shares that vulnerability and courage go hand in hand. She suggests that it is by being vulnerable that we forge the way for the blossoming of authenticity. Sharing your personal challenges with others, expressing your emotions in public, and even apologizing when you regret your actions are all examples of vulnerability. Vulnerability becomes a weakness if we believe that exposing ourselves is a weakness; however, it becomes a strength if we understand that the deeper understanding and connection that becomes inspired through vulnerability is helpful to our self-realization and growth.  Definition and Paradox of Vulnerability Vulnerability is generally defined as a willingness to share one’s deeply held thoughts and emotions, to risk being emotionally hurt, or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen. Yet it is also seen as the pathway to greater connection and growth. Is there, th...

As we start down the spiritual path and start to experience calm and peace within ourselves, often our thoughts rush forward to “how can I explain this to others?” and “wouldn’t it be great if my children could also understand, experience, and live their lives in a “spiritual manner?” Seek Not to Disturb Others At one level, the answer to these questions, as summarized in some Bhagawad Gita verses, is that our primary focus needs to be on our own spiritual growth. na buddhi-bhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karma-saṅginām joṣhayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācharan The wise should not create discord in the intellects of ignorant people, who are attached to fruitive actions, by inducing them to stop work. Rather, by performing their duties in an enlightened manner, they should inspire the ignorant also to do their prescribed duties. (BG 3.26) prakṛiter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu tān akṛitsna-vido mandān kṛitsna-vin na vichālayet Those who are deluded by the operation of the guṇas bec...

CREATIVITY IS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE What are some moments in your life where human endeavor has left you awestruck? Maybe visiting an elaborately designed temple is one such moment for you - the intricately carved stone sculptures and statues, or the prowess of the temple architects in achieving the impossible feet of building a temple on a mountain. It can leave us feeling uplifted and motivated because the inspiration for such human action feels like a labor of love, love for the divine. 'We are spiritual beings having a human experience.' Many of us resonate with this profound thought from French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Spiritual Psychology is also founded on the principle that we are already Spiritual Beings and not just human beings striving to be spiritual. Living in this material world though, we forget our reality.  Creative pursuits are ways by which we can reconnect to our true nature. Art, drawing, painting, photography, creative writing, poetry, singi...

OUR 'IF-THEN' ACTION PREDICAMENT   We perform action to achieve a specific outcome. If we achieve that outcome, we are happy; if we don’t achieve the outcome, we are disappointed.   Over a long period of many such cycles, our happiness becomes contingent upon the outcome. We believe that we will be happy only if the outcome takes place -- the ‘If-then’ Model of happiness. ‘If’ my children listen to me, ‘then’ I will be happy; ‘if’ I can attain that promotion ‘then’ I will be happy; ‘if’ I lose the last 10 lbs., ‘then’ I will be happy. Many of us live with this, ‘if-then’ kind of operating model in our heads.   A good experience can make us temporarily happy, but it reduces to a normal personal baseline of happiness as time passes. In 1971, two psychologists, Brickman and Campbell, coined the term ‘hedonic treadmill’, to explain this experience, the gist of which is that people tend to return to their baseline level of happiness, regardless of the positive or negative expe...