Practical Spirituality and Doing the Inner Work !

Practical Spirituality is Doing the Inner Work !

I want to share with you something that is very close to me . If we feel and think that we want to do or progress in matters of the spirit , we have to invest some time and effort ! That is the way that nature is . 

Listening to any lenghty spiritual talks , satsangs or discussions are good and do help to bring our thoughts and feelings towards matters beyond our temporary ever changing life . However , I have to sress that all these are at best , pointers towards the real stuff . 

It's in the walking , working and putting those talks in practice that the reality will be experienced ! One of my Masters made it very clear to me , when he said that any amount of talking , reading or discussing is only helping or pointing towards the real work ! The real work is learning to sit still and go into the inner silence ! Nothing else will do ! All the external talking , readings create an atmosphere for the real stuff . I am cautious to use the word meditation as this is a loaded word .Meaning that we have our own ideas and concepts to what it means . 

Meditation or sitting still is going within to be aware of how our life and world is ! We become aware of the state of our mind . We realise how our thoughts and feelings are when alone . There is a never ending chattering going within ourselves about everything that you can think of . It's just amazing how busy we are even when alone ! The chain of thoughts are so expanded that whlie being in a room , our mind is all over the world and beyond !  The restless , stressed and worldly thoughts are just going on expanding just as our material world is . We call it progress ! Sitting quietly or still is seen as weird or Unproductive !!

All the rest of our external activities  make us very comfortable but , it can never bring that illusive peace and inner calm . When learning how to be still , we will see changes to the rest of our life and living . Our attitudes , lifestyles and behaviour will all start to change for the better . We become more relaxed , gentle , peaceful contented and start to have an inner glow about life !

It is so simple yet , our crafty mind will do all that it can to keep us away from sitting still !

Until we can bring ourselves to sitting still , we are just enjoying the outer warmth of the real within .

If I want to be a doctor , but , I just go on listening to great medical doctors or reading about their wonders and adventures , I am not going to ever be callled a doctor ! I can go on doing that for the rest of my life , yet I am just sitting outside the real work .

Read all the books on foods and recipes or see all the photos will not give the taste . Until you get down to cooking , only than you will be able to enjoy a good meal ! It's that simple .

It is logical and simple , yet , for some strange reason , we are struggling outside and unable to see the great advantage of doing the inner work .

We , being creatures of habit , can use that to gently and slowly , sit quietly for short spans in the begining. Even 5 minutes is a good start ! Within a month , I am sure you will be able to sit for perhaps 10-15 minutes . In a year , you can easily sit for 30 miutes !! Think of the benefits !

I think this is enough for today . In fact , it is sufficient ! 

Till we meet again . Enjoy . Be kind to yourself !

Amar.