In Search of Life

When we’re young we hear from family and friends what they think our lives will be like when we go out into the world. During childhood we search for the kind of life that we think makes sense. In their minds’ eye children try on many hats from forest ranger to college professor, deep sea fisher to diplomat. We don’t know what we want. We do know there are a multitude of possibilities.

It’s a matter of finding the one that fits.

As we become adults — and as adults — we discover more options exist than we had ever expected. Possibilities we never dreamed of may present themselves. Options we might have examined and discarded in youth may well become reality. Not necessarily on our first foray into our adult lives. But who knew we could continually reinvent ourselves?

We learn that what we thought was a way of life was only a job. A relationship we thought would last forever turns out to be for a time, not a lifetime. The place where we lived becomes the place we used to live.

The same — and more — is true with spirituality.

It’s not unusual to try different forms of spirituality. Upon closer inspection we find that we were trying various outer forms of expression, like trying on different shoes. It could be that what we think will be right for us may turn out to be exactly that. Sometimes it is right for a while. Sometimes it is right for a lifetime.

Some of us surprise ourselves when we learn we appreciate the basics of what we were given in childhood. We get to spend the rest of our lives building upon it.

In any event, we tweak ideas. We try variations on a theme. Surprisingly, it can easily turn out that we were not paying close enough attention to what is out there. And inside. We missed something. We didn’t have to completely change our lives. We hadn’t paid attention to the depth and breadth of the place where we had begun.

Ultimately, when we dare to examine the facts of our lives deeply enough, we learn that spirituality is reality.

It’s perfectly fine to have the job we have. Live where and how we find ourselves. Have whatever external possessions we have. So long as that life does not possess us.

So long as we have the courage to go beyond the mortal in search of the immortal.

To dare to look for the spiritual.

This time in history is an incredibly exciting time to let courage take hold. To examine the spiritual life.

In this Spring of 2021 the Persian New Year, Passover, Holi, Western Easter, Ramadan and Orthodox Easter all fall within a two month period.

We are offered so many opportunities to connect with our inner God.

Think of all the possibilities to celebrate your spiritual life.

We don’t have to look far afield at exotic religions and philosophies, although it frequently enriches the spirituality we already possess. Studying a philosophy or religion from a previously unexamined time or place can deepen what we already have. There is no rule that says we absolutely must change our lives beyond recognition. We get to learn and incorporate what we did not know into what we already had.

Ultimately, the search for our inner self, our spiritual self, is the reason for living.

What we perceive in the forefront of our minds is that our spirituality is our own. It is our personal belief system. It is our connection to the Spirit and to ourselves.

The essence of our spirituality is what gives us our unique mystical heart beat. It is what makes us who we are as humans. Not necessarily in terms of what the world sees of us. But in terms of who we really are.

Our search to deepen and enliven our spirituality makes this a truly blessed time.