Spiritual Growth

As children, we are molded to the likeness of our parents, caregivers. We learn what they teach because we look up to them as the ultimate role models and of course, They would never steer us in the wrong direction. We learn how to dress, how to speak, what’s good and what’s not. In my case, I adored my grandfather and I hung on his every word. Everything he said, to me was truth! From my grandfather, I learned responsibility, discipline, and love. I learned about baseball and history. I even learned politics. I attribute my love for education to him.

My grandfather also left indelible marks on my personality. I would never say they were all positive, because they weren’t. For the most part, my value system came from him and my grandmother. It has made me the woman I am today and I think I’m pretty awesome!

Spiritual Values

On the other side of my personae, my right-brain, I am creative. I am intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective. I am also very spiritual. That comes from my grandmother. She, although a fighter, put everything in the hands of God. She insisted in a Catholic education for her kids and for me. And I received, what I believe to be, the best education money could buy.

We did not always agree on everything. In fact, and I have mentioned this before, she did not appreciate some of the things I was being taught in Religion in high school. In college, I also questioned my Catholicism and it hurt her deeply. I questioned many of the Church’s practices and beliefs. After college, I also had a negative experience with a priest that really sent me away for a very long time.

Back in college, I went looking for other ways to find God. I joined small sects that sprung on campus and little groups that swore to be the answer. I believed that the only way to show my faith was in following a group or an established religion.

Spiritual Again

I did not understand it then. It took a long time to understand what it meant to be a spiritual person. There was a period in my life that was very dark. It was the darkest that I had ever experienced. From it, I surfaced and surged, 90%, a better person. I say 90% because I do not believe that we are ever 100% the best me we can be!

I went back to the Catholic Church and practiced with vigor its commandments. I was present for the sacrament of communion every Sunday and always asked for forgiveness whenever I faltered. However, this commitment was short-lived and I found myself missing mass more and more often.

I read books, no devoured books that tried to explain to me why I could not be spiritual. I thought I was lazy: I don’t want to go to church on Sundays… I don’t like today’s priest… I have nothing appropriate to wear… I tried every excuse in the book and felt guilty as hell for not doing the most basic thing: going to church.

Spiritual?

What I was struggling with should not have been a struggle at all. It took time for me to understand that being spiritual is not about going to church, or a different church. I was looking in the wrong place. I should have been looking inward and I would have seen that I was a spiritual person all along!

One of the basic things that show if a person is spiritual or not is their awareness that we are all the same. We all have the same right to exist! Black, White, Yellow, Blue, we are all the same and therefore without judgment, we should be able to say this and act this without a second thought. It must be so ingrained and internalized that there shouldn’t be a question about it. Our actions should display common sense when it comes to this basic truth.

I know very few who meet this! I am in awe of their awareness about themselves and our World. But even those who are highly developed may still falter. And, I think it relates back to our upbringing and the values that were ingrained. Our caregivers helped instill their values. But, what happens when the role model’s values are not too positive to begin with, or not positive at all.

Spiritual Common Sense

Without getting into the subject of racism, it would take more than this post to discuss, our parents may have inadvertently passed on the race issue. (Or, maybe purposely as in the case of white supremacy and the like.) Our parents may have struggled with racism themselves and be working on their own issues. Am I a racist? I have Black friends? How many Poles does it take to change a bulb? The Chinese cannot drive? Oh, he is Spanish. That’s why he carries a knife!

A spiritual person has the common sense to know that these are not inclusive statements, even if in jest. They are aware and look to enhance and better their consciousness. They know we all have a right to exist! And, if they have their prejudices, they work on their shortcomings with intent to better their spiritual growth. They are on a path to enlightenment! Their common sense says these shortcomings must be dealt with if they are to be a part of making this a better World.

Spiritual vs. Personal

All of the things mentioned here about spirituality are all part of bettering yourself. So, with spiritual growth there will be personal growth, and I believe vice versa. Even if our plan is not to give up everything and move to Nepal, becoming more spiritual is a way of transcending and living a good, ethical life.

I found out that I have been a spiritual person all my life! Highly intuitive and caring for the fair treatment of everyone, I found myself in trouble a lot. I cannot see injustices happen and look the other way. Being spiritual does not mean going to church every Sunday or practicing yoga.

Being spiritual is a state of awareness of what is around us and acceptance. It is about loving yourself and your neighbor! Picture yourself in communion with Nature, taking care of our World, treating everyone equally, acting from your heart and not your intellect. That is spirituality and we can all attain it.

So, what do you think?