Creating a Balance Between Spiritual Consciousness and Our Busy Lives

Once we realize that it is possible to contact the bliss of soul-consciousness, it is natural that we might want to experience this as much as possible. Some may think that this requires them to withdraw from the world and devote themselves exclusively to spiritual practice. But as the world becomes more and more hectic, many of us simply don’t have the time to do this. How then, can we fulfill the demands of modern life and still cultivate spiritual awareness?

To achieve this, we must somehow create a balance between these two seemingly contradictory forces. Some do it by taking a few moments from their day to meditate or pray. Others, too busy to even do that, silently repeat a prayer, mantra, or affirmation in the midst of their tasks.

There are those who think that this latter approach lacks spiritual power, because it requires doing two things at once – the material and the spiritual. But if we find the right balance, these two realities can enhance each other – for even a few moments of heartfelt devotion can transform our lives, and give infinite inspiration to the material challenges we need to meet. Then we can embody the spiritual while keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground.

The spiritual path is not an “all or nothing” endeavor. It isn’t like an “on-off” switch which turns “on” when you are doing your spiritual practice or “off” when engaged in the world. Thoughts of the Divine are much more powerful than you may realize – even if experienced in the midst your busy day. A few moments of prayer can dispel an ocean of darkness.
This is one of the greatest of all spiritual lessons – that awakening is not obtained through extreme measures, but through the love within our hearts. No matter what circumstances we are in we can offer our love to the Divine – whether in sacred sanctuary or hard at work.

The Dangers of Extreme Thinking

One of the pitfalls that seekers fall into on their journey of awakening is extreme thinking. Although extreme thinking is a psychological flaw, many seekers are drawn to it. This is because it seems to provide quick and easy answers to some of their most difficult spiritual questions.

A Band-Aid for Our Fears

Spirituality addresses issues that can evoke the most fundamental angst. What is the meaning of existence? How do I cope with suffering? What happens when I die? A lack of answers to these questions can create a profound sense of unease.

For this reason, some people are attracted to dogmas that seem to alleviate their doubts. They may be drawn to black and white thinking, or even fanaticism in their quest for awakening. This is the seductive promise of extreme thinking – even though in the long run it can do us terrible harm.

Considering things in stark terms requires a lot less psychic energy than exploring the subtle nuances of truth. This assures it an ever-popular position in our collective beliefs.
Taking Austerity too Far For many, especially those who have taken monastic vows, austerity is an important part of their spiritual practice. It serves to simplify their lives so they can focus on realization and their love for the Divine.

And yet some seekers become over-zealous in their austerity. For them, it becomes a form of thinking in extremis, or even fanaticism that can sabotage their spiritual progress.
But where is the fine line between healthy asceticism and taking it too far? This can only be determined by listening to one’s heart.

Some people are so desperate to know the Divine that they lose this balance. They grab onto the erroneous idea that the severity of their practice has merit in and of its own, and believe that realization can only be accomplished by the harshest and direst measures. They proclaim that spirituality and physicality are conflicting realities and you must choose between the two. They believe that you must let the material languish in order to succeed spiritually – or conversely, if you want to be materially successful, you must let the spiritual go. In their minds the material and the spiritual are mutually exclusive, and never the twain shall meet.

The Balanced Path

The following story is about how a famous seeker fell into this quagmire of fanatical thinking. It is about the life of Buddha. I share it not to convince people to become a Buddhists, but because it is a wonderful example of how he moved beyond extreme thinking to a more balanced approach.

During the early years of his search for truth, Buddha engaged in some of the most radical practices imaginable. Finally, he fasted until he was just skin and bones and it seemed his life was coming to an end.

One day, he was sitting by a river, disconsolate that he was not making the spiritual progress he yearned for. Then he noticed a small boat drifting towards him with the current. In it was a man tuning a sitar. The musician was giving great attention not to make the strings too tight, nor too loose. To produce the most harmonious sounds the strings needed to be in perfect balance.

Then, Buddha had a revelation: “Enlightenment is not accomplished by extreme measures – but rather through balance and equanimity. Material desires and the body shouldn’t be seen as the enemy of the spiritual. Rather, seek the perfect equilibrium between the spiritual and material life. Take care of your physical needs while at the same time striving to be ever more present in your awareness. Cultivate deep mindfulness in your inner life, while being kind and compassionate to all beings.” This is how Buddha discovered the teaching of the “middle path.”

Extreme thinking doesn’t always involve taking austerity to level that Buddha did in the years when he was taking things to extremes. More often it appears as narrow mindedness – or a perfectionist attitude that causes us to give up on prayer simply because we don’t instantly get the results we were looking for.

But the spiritual is with us all the time, inextricably woven in our lives. The Divine comes to us through blessings – and those mysterious moments of grace that sometimes appear even in the midst of our restless thoughts.

Thoughts of the Divine are like delicate seeds planted in the inner garden of your mind. If you tend them lovingly and with patience, they will flourish into magnificent blooms.