Embarking on a spiritual path can be for many reasons. However, the aim is not only to have a better and more fulfilling life in the present, but it is to return to full wholeness and spiritual health through the healing that the path affords.
Wholeness means being free from injury, fully restored, complete and intact. To become balanced and stable once more. Most of us have had some feelings of emotional instability during our lifetime, often triggered by life events such as the death of a loved one, financial challenges, workplace issues, divorce or the break-up of a significant relationship. All of us will face one or more of these situations during our lifetimes.
Healing of the pain incurred while passing through life’s challenges is a journey, a spiritual journey. It is a journey on which we need to be completely patient. Very often we are not even aware of what it is that needs to heal. It is only when major stress factors trigger buried feelings and emotions, that we realise that there are things that need to see the light of day to be healed. It is meditation that gives us the power to face these hidden facets of the soul.
Meditation works by providing the power for everything to erupt and the ability to heal. There are signposts as we walk the path of spirituality that let us know, in one way or another, what might be coming up. When there is any kind of disturbance in the mind, a sudden change in behaviour in our interactions or some unaccounted-for sense of sorrow. Individuals can trigger these disturbances, but they are never the cause, they are only the trigger.
We may be triggered when we feel we are not being heard. We may become reactive and withdraw and deny there is anything wrong. We may feel a compelling need for structure in the midst of what we perceive as chaos, which causes us stress. We may become unreasonably emotive at any kind of injustice we see. It is futile to suppress all these emotional upsurges because they will not go away; they will stay suppressed and bubbling underneath until another opportunity to erupt. With meditation, we can follow some steps in a safe way to heal ourselves:
Positive intention – There has to be a deep intention to want to heal. I may not have the power or know exactly what to do, but by stating my intention a higher power will intervene and I will begin to walk the path back to wholeness.
Acceptance – I need to accept myself and all that has happened to me no matter how difficult that is, because it is part of my story and if I reject any part, it will not be possible to heal.
Patience –The journey is long and there are ups and downs. There is no quick fix. It will not happen overnight. Every day the seed of intention needs the water of positive energy and good wishes for self-transformation.
Love – We have to be kind and loving to the self. We need to let go of any limiting beliefs we hold about the self and recognise, repeatedly, that we are spiritual beings and each one of us is peaceful, loving, kind, wise and strong because these are the innate qualities of the soul. Meditation and connection with the Supreme Being is the essential key to wholeness and healing. That being is the only one who knows exactly who I am and my whole and complete form. The steps will be shown to me, and that Being will be the best guide, parent, and teacher because that Being knows each one of us, inside out.
Courage – We have to have the courage to face ourselves, especially what we might feel are the worst parts. However, we must also be able to face our beauty. Keeping both elements in mind keeps us moving forward to the destination.
Clear aim – We must have our aim constantly in front of us. There may be the intention to heal but then what do I want to become? If I have that clearly in my mind, it keeps me moving forward.
These are some of the steps with which we can start our journey. We are not returning to some unknown place, we have already lived in wholeness, we know what it feels like. Some of our spiritual wisdom has been buried, but when I am in silence, in meditation and in connection with the One who knows me best, then I can see and feel the real me.
Samantha Fraser teaches Rajyoga with the Brahma Kumaris and is based at the Global Retreat Centre, Oxford, UK.