What is spiritual development? I like the broad definition of the word "spiritual" given in the Ageless Wisdom: That which is our personal next step in our evolutionary development and which embodies the vision lying beyond our present point of attainment and which urges us on toward a further goal.

What might be very spiritual for me because it’s my next step in development, may not be so spiritual for you--perhaps because you’ve already achieved my goal and yours is further on.

Spirituality to me includes both vertical and horizontal aspects. It includes a vertical connection to my soul or higher self, which is part of the transcendent reality-- whatever name we want to call it-- the Universe, God the Creator, etc.—as well as a connection to the earth and the kingdoms of nature. To me, the earth and all of life is sacred, and my connection to the earth keeps my spirituality grounded.

But I also see spirituality as my horizontal relationships to other people, family, friends, co-workers, and to humanity as a whole. This is where we all find the greatest challenges in embodying our spiritual beliefs. If I think I’m being spiritual because I do a lot of prayer or meditation, but I don’t treat people or nature very well, then my spirituality is very shallow. I’ve found that both vertical and horizontal dimensions need to be in balance for true spiritual development.

There are some simple, but powerful keys to spiritual development that I’ve learned through my study and practice of the Ageless Wisdom (which is the essential teachings of the world’s religions, East and West.) Although we hear a lot about the importance of love and compassion in spiritual development, I’ve found that there are some important first steps--keys that help me become more loving towards myself and all others.

KEY #1: FOCUS ON PURPOSE AND MISSION

The first important key to spiritual development is to keep a strong focus on my spiritual purpose in life and on my intention in every situation. I’ve spent a lot of time meditating on my life purpose, asking, "What is my soul’s unique mission? What do I have to give the world?"

This is like sounding a clear note on an inner level. This inner note helps everything line up around it through the law of resonance. It mysteriously draws people and resources that are in resonance to help me carry out my purpose. When I’m in alignment with my purpose, I’m much more joyful. And I’m also more in tune with a higher purpose or plan—whether you call it God’s plan or the evolutionary plan for humanity.

Why does having a clear purpose become so powerful? The new quantum science provides some insights through research on the impact of invisible "fields" on human activities. Scientists are finding that matter is affected by "non-local causes"--elementary particles are affected by connections that exist unseen across time and space. Creating a clear purpose or mission broadcasts a coherent field of intention, and this is turn affects your own (as well as other people’s) thoughts and actions. This results in the unexpected synchronicities that bring wonderful possibilities into our lives.

When there is a clear purpose and mission in an organization, there is tremendous coherence and energy--things seem to happen almost effortlessly and magically. In fact, focusing on mission and vision is one of the latest hot trends in management. Clear purpose and unified commitment produce the most productive, creative and high energy organizations. And having a clear mission personally, in alignment with our soul’s purpose, makes us more effective and productive in our own life.

For example, I’ve discovered that a key part of my soul’s purpose is to educate people about spiritual approaches to leadership, business and politics. Hence, I’ve written a book on this theme, founded a center for visionary leadership, and organized conferences on spirituality at work. I feel very creative and excited about my work, because its aligned with my deeper purpose.

When I honestly examine my intentions and motives for doing something (during a regular evening review), it helps me eliminate things which aren’t in alignment with my purpose. My intention helps me focus my attention. This acts as a powerful sorting system on all the information that comes in to my awareness and all the possible activities I could choose to engage in.

For example, I’ve found there are many interesting things going on in Washington that I enjoy doing. But if I don’t focus on my intention, my attention (and time and money) gets captured by a million diversions. They may not be bad in themselves, but they divert my energy from something more important and fulfilling that I want to accomplish.

Honest examination of my motives also helps me to purify them, so they are more positive and loving, rather than selfish or harmful to others. This is an incredibly difficult but powerful discipline.

KEY #2: DEVELOP DETACHMENT FROM REACTIONS AND DESIRES

A second key to spiritual growth is detachment. This is a major theme in the Ageless Wisdom-- developing detachment from physical and emotional desires and mental reactions. It’s called "the stance of the observer"—just observing or noticing what’s going on, without having an opinion about it, an emotional reaction, or a desire for something

I’m practicing detachment from all those attractive consumer items I see stimulating my desires every day through advertising—the latest CD or some cool clothes. Do they really bring me happiness anyway?

I’m also learning to develop greater detachment from my problems by viewing them from a different perspective—adopting either a wider perspective or a narrower one. For example, I remember picking up a newspaper when I was very sick in the hospital, recovering from a major operation. I saw a bigger picture--horrible genocide going on in another part of the world, and I realized that many other people had far worse problems than me—it put things in perspective.

Going outside to look at the stars on a clear night can also help me put things in perspective—my little world and little problems pale by comparison to the vastness of space and countless worlds in the universe.

I found it can also be helpful in developing detachment to focus on the smaller picture—to focus on details, instead of over-generalizations. For example, I’ve noticed that it’s often small disagreements on tiny, unimportant things that I’m fighting with someone about—not major things.

Also useful is to look for the positive qualities in someone I’m having problems with—no one is 100% negative! As the Agni Yoga teachings suggest, "Behold as if under a magnifying glass the good, and belittle the signs of evil tenfold, lest thou remain as before."

KEY #3: LOOK FOR THE LESSONS IN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS

A third key to spiritual growth is being willing to see everything that happens as a possible growth opportunity—offering important lessons. I’ve found that viewing a difficult or negative experience in this way helps take the sting out. It makes it a useful experience, rather than something to feel victimized about, blaming myself or others.

The Bible says that "as we sow, so shall we reap." In the East this is called the Law of Karma or the Law of Cause and Effect. The purpose of karma is not to punish us for some past misdeed, as many may think, but rather to educate us so we’ll make changes. The purpose of karma is to teach us something, to help us evolve spiritually. We are responsible for the consequences of our actions. So we can ask ourselves, "What am I learning from this?’"

I’ve found that even as small a thing as stubbing my toe or breaking a plate can be an educational experience. If I stop and reflect on what I was just thinking or feeling, most of the time I’ll find that I was into some worry or anger or negative thought. I was out of harmony with the flow of life. The stubbed toe or broken plate can be a great teacher.

If I persist in negative thoughts or feelings and they become obsessive, I might end up with a more serious problem, like an illness or major accident. Then I have to ask myself much deeper questions about my life.

Even an enemy can be an important teacher—a terrific opportunity for learning to develop patience and tolerance. He or she can be seen as a messenger bringing new information. Our enemies can thus strengthen us through their challenges. Native American warriors would never say that their enemy defeated them, but rather that their own inner weakness left them unprotected.

The Ageless Wisdom teaches that energy follows thought. "With our thoughts we make the world," as the Buddha taught. So it’s best to create more positive thoughts about other people and things, rather than to draw more negativity to us.

An important method for transforming our negative karma is forgiveness of self and others. This is one of the most potent ways that the law of grace works.

 KEY #4: DEVELOPING SOUL AWARENESS

A fourth powerful key to spiritual growth is developing soul awareness. We each have an unlimited essence within—our soul or higher self or eternal self. The soul is innately inclusive, cooperative, and oriented toward service to others. When I am in soul awareness, I experience my oneness with all of life—it’s a truly transforming experience. When I help others, I help myself, and vice versa, as we are all one.

The soul is naturally a creator, rather than a consumer. When I’m in touch with my soul, I’m creative and happily productive—I don’t need more consumer "stuff" to feel happy or to fill an emptiness.

How do I know if I’m in touch with my soul? The sense of responsibility is said to be the first sign of the presence of the soul in one’s life—responsibility for oneself and for others. So I can ask myself, "Am I feeling connected to others and responsible for their well being—or am I just concerned with my own well being?"

The soul is also the cause of all our restlessness and searching—it constantly urges us onward in our evolutionary development. We’re never satisfied with our achievements, but always seeking the next creative challenge, the next experience to develop our abilities, the next opportunity to help others.

How can we develop more soul awareness? I’ve found that study, meditation and service are the most effective. Studying some spiritual teaching daily provides great inspiration. Taking some quiet each day to sit and reflect on my life and my spiritual growth provides me with a much greater sense of inner peace and clearer purpose in my life. While prayer is talking to God, meditation is said to be listening to God. Developing a regular meditation practice has been the most personally transforming of anything I’ve done.

But without service—some way to ground the spiritual energy I’ve received in meditation and channel it to help others—my spiritual development hits a roadblock. Study, meditation and service always need to be kept in balance for maximum effectiveness.

As the Buddha said, "...[G]o forth in every direction--for the happiness, the harmony, the welfare of the many. Offer your heart, the seeds of your own understanding, like a lamp overturned and re-lit again, illuminating the darkness."

 

Corinne McLaughlin is Executive Director of The Center for Visionary Leadership in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. and co-author of Spiritual Politics and  Builders of the Dawn.  She is co-founder of Sirius, an ecological village and educational community in Massachusetts, and is a Fellow of the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland. Corinne formerly coordinated a national task force for President Clinton’s Council on Sustainable Development and taught politics at American University. She can be reached at:  The Center for Visionary Leadership (www.visionarylead.org) corinnemc@visionarylead.org; 415-472-2540.