A few years ago someone I knew was promoting himself as a spiritual coach. Inadvertently the word that he typed on his profile was ‘spiritual couching’ instead of spiritual coaching. Its funny how these ‘Freudian slips’ can be very revealing. Something deep from our unconscious knows how to communicate and express itself through meaningful coincidences even through mistypes and miscommunication.
Yes, we all need to reflect on this – all thanks to my acquaintance who made this slip and taught us a valuable lesson. Are we in the danger of becoming ‘spiritual couches’ who are passive livers than active spiritualists? Do we misunderstand and misinterpret much of our ‘spiritual’ new age gurus’ teachings are many of these teachings true in the first place? Read on to know what all ‘is’ and is not being spiritual in this ‘new age’ world.
Myth: Being Effortless = Being Lazy.
Truth: Relax, receive and effortlessly attract, these new age principles do not mean we should be ‘couch potatoes’ just sitting and waiting for the apple to drop right into our mouth. Yes we receive the fruits of our karma effortlessly when the time is ‘ripe’ but hey – don’t forget to sow the seeds and water them. When the fruit is ripe it will fall down on its own, for sure. But go and prepare your soil first, get your tools out, dig and delve, sow and grow, nourish, be patient – it takes effort. Some karma is required for us so invest into your life and surely the returns will flow back to you. All the ‘effortless’ things you have received in the present life are your past life fruits ripening up now. Being ready to receive has helped. New age spirituality helps you be more ‘ready’ and receive your fruits, but do not mistake this receptivity state for being lazy and dull.
Myth: The Universe is Within = We should be self centered/ selfish.
Truth: The definition of within needs to change. Who are you? Know thyself. The Universe is within means expand your consciousness – you are not just your limited lower self, your body, your material possessions, your limited mind. Make your mind more unlimited and see how everything in the universe is part of your Self. The universe is within this greater ‘Self’ not in your narrow and contrived notions of your selfishness. To be selfish is to love only your limited self or your lower self. To be self loving is quite a different approach. It means to love everything and everyone including yourself. It means being aware that love is not something very limited that can be either given to yourself or to others, but an endless energy flowing to all in ever increasing amounts. Be generous and expand yourself- reach out and love everything and everyone as part of you.
Myth: The Secret and Law of Attraction = Pursue Material Goals All The Time
Truth: So you have read all these new age books and they seem to tell you that the universe exists to serve your lower needs of food, sex, shopping, diamonds, fashion and beauty? Just tell me one thing. Do you ever meditate and is there any substitute to your inner peace? Can any amount of food, sex, glamour and money buy you peace? No, you do not exist merely to accumulate and gather material comforts. Having money and things is simply not a state of true abundance. Being spiritual is all about being aware of your spirit nature, your real self, at all times. There will actually come a point when you will no longer ‘hunger’ for anything, ‘crave’ for anything, be ‘needy’ for anything. Being content is possible – make that you.
Myth: Being Positive = Thinking Positive (Doing good is secondary)
Truth: There is so much hype created around positive thinking that the worst of criminals have been projecting themselves as spiritual people. Some ‘spiritual’ people actually believed that they could get away with anything and everything by just thinking positive and imagining all kind of good things happening to them right now even while indulging in negative activities on the side. The truth is you simply cannot delete or cancel out your negativity just through superficial thoughts. Being positive right now is a great thing and this includes positive actions. You need to transform all over – mind, body and soul. You need to start doing only positive things else it will be very difficult for your inner or unconscious mind to believe that you are a good person and you deserve good. Our unconscious mind is way beyond our conscious thoughts and affirmations. We have to change the way we live into something phenomenally positive in order to be truly positive.
Myth: Joy and Bliss = Drunkenness
Truth: Being in a state of spiritual bliss is very different from the ‘trance’ you induce through drunken dancing, substance abuse and lewd sexual performances. ‘New-agers’ reveling in pagan rituals that focus on excessive enjoyment do feel great for the short run but the effects wear off. A real ritual should empower you and shift your consciousness so deeply that you never need any drugs, alcohol and sexuality to stimulate yourself ‘spiritually’. Real paganism is about being in tune with nature through our inner meditative state, not just an external but an inner connection that is expressed outwards in such beautiful ways that even a child can feel safe in your rituals. Truly children require no drugs to dance, play and be merry – so why should we? Be in tune with you inner child and give yourself only those things you know are good for the child within. Be in a natural state of deep inner bliss.
There are many more such insights I would love to share with you in my next book – stay tuned into my author page on amazon.
Blessed Be!
Swati Prakash
