Confusion between Attachment and Desire: Often, the distinction between Attachment and Desire becomes blurred, a phenomenon sometimes perpetuated by religious teachings. It’s important to recognize that Desire is a fundamental motivational force, encouraging us to explore and engage with life. However, it is equally crucial not to become overly Attached to these desires, to avoid repetitive and unfulfilling pursuits.
Motivation: Entering the realm of spirituality requires genuine motivation, beyond following trends. I commonly encounter persons eager to embark on a spiritual journey without a deep understanding of their motivations! As a spiritual mentor, it is disappointing when potential students lack a clear reason for their interest, and sometimes it is necessary to decline their request for guidance. It’s like in any other endeavor we consider to engage in, if a strong motivation lacks it’s a recipe for failure.
Expectations: too many (and bad) spiritual books and too many Holly/Bollywood movies with spiritual topics do hurt. They set unrealistic expectations, and these portrayals can lead to disillusionment when those ambitious goals are not quickly achieved, resulting in people abandoning their spiritual pursuits.
Patience: Patience is intimately connected to managing expectations. True progress in any spiritual journey demands consistent effort and dedication. The belief that significant changes can occur without sufficient commitment is a misconception.
Thinking only the Soul matters while the Body is secondary: A common misconception in spiritual circles is prioritizing the soul while neglecting the body. This belief, often rooted in religious teachings, can lead to a harmful dichotomy between body and soul, fostering a sense of separation rather than unity. The body vibration supports soul growth, the later can’t progress without it.
Being poor is a quality of a true spiritual: The notion that poverty equates to spirituality is a misconception, likely rooted in religious teachings for manipulative reasons. Considering Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, individuals struggling with basic survival—such as securing food, water, and shelter—are very unlikely to have the peace or mental space necessary for deep spiritual reflection or meditation.
Procrastination: Procrastination in meditation is often tied to a lack of motivation. Students may continually defer their practice, prioritizing other immediate needs or interests over their spiritual practice.
Truth always with Me and my group: I found that many spirituals hold an unwavering belief in the superiority of their chosen spiritual path, the ONE AND ONLY that can lead anyone to enlightenment, whether it involves yoga, qi-gong, or another discipline. This conviction can foster a sense of separation and lower their vibrational energy, as they dismiss other spiritual practices as ineffective.
Lack of spiritual discernment: I have encountered numerous spirituals who remain committed to a religion or spiritual school that no longer serves their growth. This often stems from a deep-seated loyalty or faith in the practice and a lack of spiritual discernment, despite a clear absence of results.
Choose a master based solely on reputation rather than by what he feels: this belongs again with spiritual discernment and lack of trust in oneself. In this case the spiritual instead of checking with his soul and intuition if a specific master suits him or not, takes after his reputation. For example, a novice might not benefit from advanced teachings meant for more experienced practitioners, regardless of the master’s expertise.
Thinks that any sign of awareness is full-blown enlightenment: I noticed that there is a tendency to mistake any moment of awareness for complete enlightenment. While many may experience brief spiritual insights, true enlightenment requires ongoing, dedicated practice; there are very few exceptions to this rule and in very specific circumstances. Assuming that some understanding of spiritual concepts equates to mastery is a significant misjudgment.
Humbleness is a secondary concept for most spirituals: Generally, I noticed some spirituals don’t understand exactly what it means and miss it with the humility as portrayed in various religions, which can be detrimental. True Humbleness is crucial for spiritual progress and is an effective means of ego reduction, which boosts one’s spiritual growth.
Contempt for the Masculine aspect and glorification of the Feminine aspect: It’s essential to acknowledge that both the masculine and feminine aspects in us have their strengths and weaknesses. Historically, the dominance of the negative side of the masculine aspect has led to significant challenges, like wars, famine, and destruction, and in reaction there has been an idealization of the Feminine aspect. However, to foster a truly unified approach to Creation it is crucial to integrate and respect both aspects. Remembering that both have potential downsides is key to achieving balance and avoiding the pitfalls of past societal structures.
Spiritual Bypassing: In the spiritual world, there is a phenomenon known as spiritual bypassing, a tendency to use spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid facing and dealing with painful emotions and unresolved issues. While the pursuit of spiritual growth and enlightenment is often seen as a positive and transformative journey, there is a darker side to it that is often overlooked. Spiritual bypassing is a defense mechanism that allows individuals to escape from the discomfort of facing their inner demons and unresolved traumas.