Choosing a Spiritual Path

A woman deciding between going up two staircases

Most people feel some sort of connection to the great beyond in way that creates the
need to express this sensation. Finding where you fit in with regards to expressing your
spiritual side comes easy for some people while it is a lifelong pursuit for others.
The first thing you can examine is what spirituality means to you as part of your life. Is it
a casual thing that you turn to in tense moments or ponder in relaxed states of mind Is
it something that if you would embrace with a few hours a wee! de"otion if you could
find #ust the right place and people with whom to interact
$e"els of Commitment
%hich of these best suit you&
Casual
I lo"e a good tal! about what the meaning of life might be and want to !now what
other people's ideas of what the uni"erse holds beyond what I can experience with my
fi"e senses. (ut I don't want anyone telling me what to do and if I made a commitment to
go to a church ser"ice and something else came up in"ol"ing my friends or family) I
would cancel my plans for enlightenment to li"e in the here and now.
Interested
I'm searching for something to answer some of my *uestions about ha"ing a purpose
in life. If those *uestions were e"er answered in a way that opened up the possibilities) I
would certainly commit to learning more along that path. A few hours of wee! of study)
especially if it in"ol"ed other people with the same "alues see!ing the same goals)
would be an exciting way to add meaning to my life. I might hesitate about ma!ing any
radical changes in my life or de"oting all my free time as well. I can see ma!ing a
donation to a good cause but there are limits to what should be expected from one
person.
Committed
I am relie"ed to ha"e found the way. So many people are confused) lonely and lost.
The chaos of the world) though) was explained to me in a way that made so much sense
that I felt an instant peace. My daily life must include my spiritual side interwo"en with
this world. My social life centers around the people who ha"e also accepted the truth I
ha"e come to accept. There are certain special days to be mar!ed by performing rituals
proscribed in the lore of my faith. I understand that my commitment re*uires a regular
financial donation. It is the least I can do for in exchange for all the peace that this
spiritual enlightenment has brought me.
Con"inced
It is not enough to belie"e and study. I had to lea"e my world behind as the spiritual
path I went down was a transformation of who I was. My old life is gone and I ha"e
de"oted e"ery part of my being to li"ing my belief in action. I li"e with other people who
are #ust as committed to this spiritual belief. My goal is to spread the word so that others
might be sa"ed. All of my relationships are predicated on these beliefs and stated goals.
Material things li!e money are only useful if they are going to ser"e the purpose of
enlightening all of humanity to follow this specific spiritual path.
Inherent +alues
%hile there are many specific religions) the spiritual path that is right for you will reflect
what you need to ma!e you complete. ,ifferent people ha"e different needs that
influence their choices. %hich of these sound most li!e you
Cultural Connection
I grew up in my faith and had many memories associated with worshipping together
with my family. As a young adult I strayed a bit) *uestioned my faith) but returned
because it was of great comfort and all of the answers I was see!ing had already been
answered for me as a child.
The See!er
I wanted to satisfy my spiritual thirst and found that my curiosity for what was behind
this a particular belief was what was dri"ing me. It is hard to stay with a particular belief
when I ha"e grasped the core messages that it has to offer. I integrate what I learn and
follow my heart on new pursuits. And yet when I begin to follow a study of a new way of
loo!ing at the hereafter) I do not feel disloyal to any of the pre"ious spiritual paths on
which you may ha"e found me in the past.
(uilding (oundaries
My belief system is based on achie"ing the spiritual peace that can only come in
submitting my ego to a way of beha"ing. I am accountable to the rules and teachings of
my faith. There are certain things in life that other faiths might not ha"e a problem with
but I will ne"er go there because in abstaining from some earthly pleasures in life) I grow
closer to the true meaning of my understanding of the di"ine.
Congregation
Spirituality to me is) first and foremost) belonging to something that is greater than
myself. To see the same group of people and to be a part of their extended family
reinforces being part of a uni"ersal family beyond our material existence. %hile I could
ta!e a class or #oin a club) our congregation has a great social networ! and there are
plenty of acti"ities to entertain me and !eep me busy.
Consciousness -le"ation
My need for spiritual growth re*uires me to expand who I am and how that relates to
my en"ironment. Meditation and prayer allow me to connect to the uni"erse without
committing to an ideology. .nderstanding the basics of astrology allows me to see how
my personality responds to the uni"erse as well as to cope with times of planetary
tension. /nowing the Tarot gi"es me the opportunity to describe my role in the constant
change that defines the uni"erse as well as to accept those destinies that I cannot
change.
.nderstand your le"el of commitment and your spiritual pursuit as a reflection of your
"alues. 0nce you !now yourself and are aware of how expansi"e an approach you are
willing to ta!e) following a spiritual path will be easier because you will ha"e a clearer
aim as you choose the one that suits those needs of ours that stretch beyond the
material world.
/--1C0M