HOW TO BEGIN A SPIRITUAL PATH
It is obvious, of course, to say that we are always and continually on a spiritual path whether we are aware of it or not, but I understand the person who says, “I don’t know how to start a spiritual life, path, or focus in my life.” Here are three of the most common childhood experiences that leave an emerging adult with that lost and late feeling. There are those who had no religious instruction of any kind in their childhood – no church, no formal prayer, no introduction to the Bible or other religious literature, and no mention of spirituality in the home. These people feel they have no center point from which to start. There are those who had a “vanilla” religious upbringing – went to church but didn’t get anything from it. They have a clue, but never found a Way. And finally, there are those who were overwhelmed with religiosity – where they were indoctrinated in such a controlling religion that they ended up rejecting all of it. They don’t know what to keep and what to toss. In this article, I explain how to begin a spiritual path.
Start With The Basics
Start easily, as you would if you were interested in any other area of interest, and don’t expect a massive Eureka! moment right away. Read about or take a course in comparative religions. It will help you discover what turns you on and sets you on fire with interest, what leaves you cold, and what you flatly reject. Visit as many religious services as you can. Read standard religious literature if you haven’t – like the Bible or Koran. Read various interpretations of that standard religious literature. Consider going way outside your comfort zone just to gather information. If standard Christianity has been your only experience of religion, try Moslem, Buddhism, Hinduism, or several of the less traditional Christian religions such as Mormon, Quaker, Jehovah Witness, Non Denominal, and religions practiced by people of a different race or culture than you.
Consider Alternative Practices
Consider alternative practices such as a meditation group. Read literature that is channeled, books that critique standard religions and religious literature, and accounts of modern day miracles and the lives of mystics and saints.
Soak up all that you learn without rejection or judgment. Then and only then can you begin to identify what seems to be the place on the path where you belong right now. Find what seems to connect. Then you can deepen your choices by expanding your spiritual relationships with others. You might find regularly attending a religious service feeds your soul. You might find that organized religion is not right for you, but engaging in something that stirs the Divine spark in you with intent and focus sets you on your path. Although a fair amount of solace and solitude tend to feed a spiritual path, most paths are enriched by connecting with other people in some kind of group. Find that group for yourself and immerse yourself in relationships. We grow more together, suffer and become joyful more, and come alive more in community.
My own experience came from an empty feeling having come from that vanilla upbringing I described. I began reading books that described other people’s experience in what was then called New Age spirituality. I also read the Bible cover to cover. When I decided I wanted to find a community, I visited 13 different churches – with, but the way, no positive results. I attended personal growth retreats and found a friend who was also a spiritual seeker with whom I talked daily about spiritual questions. Eventually I went back to college for a degree in pastoral counseling which introduced me to a whole array of world religions and fellow students from every background imaginable. I formed a group specifically to address the sharing of questions about the mystery of the Divine and about faith and practice.
Embrace A Creative Process
Consider your path not as a destination, but only as one step to begin. Just as things might seem to fall apart, you may find a crack that opens you up. Ignite your desire to learn more, embrace a creative process, let go of some parts of yourself that you have held on to for too long – you may have to do that over and over. Know that you may walk through many doors, hit many brick walls, stumble many times in order to find the time and space to ease into your own mystery. Begin simply, but begin.