| There are 5 principle ways to evolve spiritually, | | | | more enjoyable- hygiene, dancing, sport, intimacy, |
| and they are all equally as important as each | | | | hiking, and so on. For some people, living in the |
| other. Each person will have natural preferences | | | | body is too painful, so they escape with spiritual |
| to one or two, but all of them contribute to our | | | | or religious addiction, or any other methods of |
| spiritual journey towards happiness and peace. | | | | denying their body. This could involve over- eating, |
| The first way to grow is through the heart. The | | | | alcohol, anorexia, living in the head, (over-analysing, |
| heart is the control centre of our emotions and | | | | catastrophising, depression or anger are a few |
| spiritual growth happens when we learn to | | | | examples) or body hatred. For these people, |
| forgive, love, and truly accept ourselves and | | | | becoming grounded and learning to live in and |
| those around us. The greatest teacher for all | | | | through the body is the spiritual growth that will |
| these lessons is relationships, both romantic and | | | | enable them to start on a different path. |
| family relationships. These are the people that we | | | | The fourth way to grow is through the mind. This |
| let close, and they push our buttons, and in doing | | | | is all about understanding with the mind and |
| so, give us the gift of seeing where we are most | | | | expanding the mind to encompass vast concepts |
| intolerant, selfish, and angry for example. | | | | like "Who am I?", "What is Truth?", "What is |
| The longest journey is the 7" journey from the | | | | Death?" |
| head to the heart. We live almost entirely in the | | | | Studying different philosophies and pondering the |
| head in the west, and I have watched many | | | | big questions in life, and finding new ways to look |
| people struggle with the concept of living from | | | | at yourself and the world are great ways to find |
| the heart- myself included. As you get to know | | | | out who you are and what you hold true. |
| and accept yourself and continue to work on | | | | Meditating and going within is also a good way to |
| your issues, you begin to be able to accept | | | | find yourself - it is amazing how much you can |
| yourself and thus begins the journey into the | | | | learn about yourself in a moment of silence. |
| heart. All the parts of you that you reject are the | | | | Meditation is a spiritual practice that can take |
| parts that keep you from living in the heart. | | | | some time to master but it does become easier |
| The second way to grow is through prayer and | | | | as you learn to switch off the busy mind, and the |
| devotion. Religion is the traditional way to practice | | | | benefits to your health and well-being can be |
| devotion. Service is commonly encouraged in | | | | incredible. |
| many of the worlds' religions. Thinking about how | | | | The fifth way to grow is the way of creativity. |
| you can be of service in the world is a very | | | | This section offers the most excitement on a |
| effective antidote to self, as not only are you | | | | spiritual journey- chanting, drumming, singing, ritual, |
| rendering service to another, it usually boosts | | | | ceremony, artwork, and many different forms of |
| your self- esteem at the same time. | | | | creating. This is probably the one that attracts |
| There has been a shift away from religion in | | | | most people at the beginning of their journey. |
| some parts of secular society, and a growing | | | | Here is where you can try lots of different |
| number of people have found meditation and | | | | activities, and meet lots of people who are also |
| other spiritual practices to replace the church. I | | | | searching for some answers. Many people stay |
| think that tuning into something greater than | | | | here and are drawn to the excitement. However, |
| yourself (universal consciousness, for example) as | | | | some people experience this stage as a solitary |
| a daily practice, will allow you to connect with the | | | | time, and draw and sing on their own. |
| deepest parts of your being. This ritual can really | | | | For some, this is a very personal stage that they |
| enable you to open your heart and mind and can | | | | do not choose to live out in front of others as |
| contribute to your spiritual evolution. | | | | they find their expression through whatever |
| The third way to grow is through the body. "My | | | | medium suits them. Whichever way you choose |
| body is a temple" is a common phrase, but in | | | | to grow, be aware of the other forms that are |
| actual fact, the body is the way that we | | | | also a necessary part of the journey. Becoming |
| experience this spiritual lifetime. I am a spiritual | | | | spiritual is a profound lifestyle choice and each |
| being in a human body. Healthy food and good | | | | journey will be different to anyone else's. |
| exercise like Yoga and Chi Gung, and other | | | | Spiritual Growth is an extremely personal journey, |
| eastern practices will strengthen your body and | | | | and one that needs time, and patience, courage |
| keep you from illness. | | | | and honesty. |
| Other activities make this experience of the body | | | | |