Spirituality, religion, self-realization, and all such practices in pursuit of [fill in the blank]. We are wise to pause once in a while to question, “Why pursue these?”

We don’t always know why.

Maybe we’re trying to be spiritual because we think we should be.

Maybe we’re religious because that’s what our parents expected.

Maybe we’re into self-realization because a guru said it was a good thing to seek.

And so on.

A fish seeking water is not far off from such pursuits. That’s the irony of it.

All practices and disciplines speak about love and oneness at the core. Do you need to be anything first to practice or embody these things?

Do you need to wear robes? Attend church on Sunday? Observe rites and rituals?

Yes, of course, if you feel very strongly about these things.

And, also, no. They are not necessary to put into practice the core tenets of spirituality, self-realization, and religion. In some cases, they can be obstacles because of the identification of one way as being better than the other.

This time we occupy is asking us to move beyond old-world associations. Those associations are doing us more harm than good now, and we are in need of new ones and understandings of what binds us together as humans, as well as to the greater whole we live in.

We focus far too much on our minute differences.

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing!

We just quarrel, mostly unnecessarily, as to the way to go about achieving what we want. That is to say, peace, security, and inward meaning/fulfillment.

Understand you are already That, as so many have said before. You are already the thing you seek. You just don’t know it or, perhaps, you do. Still, reserve some space in your heart for this truth. It will grow on you.

Practice love, now. Practice oneness, now. Nothing is stopping you. You don’t have to wait for enlightenment, and, in fact, those who are blessed with the experience don’t really seek it out. It’s a gift given.

You have enough. More than enough to make a meaningful change in your life and the lives of others. An outside savior is not required. It’s you. Right here and now.

Grace helps, that’s for certain. At the end of the day, though, we end up saving ourselves.

Suggested Use
- Have pen and paper ready.
- Read this passage once.
- Then, reread it a little more slowly. Pause. Reflect.
- Journal any connections or intentions that come to you.
- Come back a few days later and read again.
- Repeat two or three more times.

There is no correct answer. Only take what resonates. Kindly share this post if you feel another could benefit.

ॐ शान्तिः