Demystifying Spirituality

With so many different people telling so many different stories, it can be quite confusing for someone seeking a true answer. I have been through many internal conflicts myself, wanting desperately to know the truth about what's going on, what we are and why we are here. It seemed that the more I believed in one story and rejected another, something would happen that would create doubt in my mind again, and force me into either a state of suffering, or surrender. Over time, the latter became much easier, and made the most sense.

There are many ways to tell the same story. The creation story is told differently all over the world through religious, mystical, mythical, scientific and philosophical ideas. There is no right or wrong way to tell a story that resonates with you, and everyone has the right to believe or disbelieve in whatever they like. Something that is useful to be aware of is that the ego mind, that is the part of our mind that stores information for self-preservation and survival, will always try to know something because it feels unsafe if it does not. e.g. when we first experienced a threat, we stored information about that threat so that we could better handle it the next time it might arise. Whilst this is extremely useful, it becomes an issue when we see things as a threat that aren't actually dangerous, such as speaking in front of people, or following your dreams.

And so if we know that we can have a resistance to change and to new information that could threaten our current belief system, then we can be aware of when that resistance comes up, and remain open regardless of it.

Spirituality doesn't need to be spiritual, it can simply mean to know your own values, and by aligning yourself and your actions to them, you live with integrity, and to live in this way creates peace and feelings of abundance. To me, being spiritual is to be curious, open-minded, and compassionate. It means that I am open to other peoples stories, flexible in my own beliefs, and deepening my understanding that there is a deeper part of me that is no story.