Embracing Spiritual Practice: Navigating Emotions with Ease
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Spiritual Practice
In my journey of spiritual practice, I have discovered the beauty of letting emotions unfold naturally. I’ve come to a point where I permit myself to truly feel. This realization is a stark contrast to my past. Previously, my understanding of masculinity did not encompass what I used to consider 'weak' emotions—like shedding tears in response to beauty or sadness.
Living a sober life has enabled me to embrace these feelings fully. Spirituality thrives on self-reflection, which demands a clear mind. While some spiritual seekers opt for certain herbs or mushrooms for deeper insights, I have chosen a different path. My past with various substances taught me that I prefer to engage with my emotions without those influences.
That said, I respect those who find insight through other means, as long as their practices are safe and consensual.
Now, let me share how spiritual practice manifests in my daily life, particularly through recent experiences.
Section 1.1: Observing Emotions
As work-related stress began to creep in, I made a conscious effort to recognize that I was not the stress itself; I was merely experiencing it. Frustration arose, but I reminded myself that I was not defined by that frustration—I was simply observing it.
This practice of detachment is significant. It allows me to witness my emotions without becoming entangled in them. This distinction is vital, don’t you think?
Subsection 1.1.1: Embrace, Don’t Suppress
The next phase of my spiritual practice involves fully experiencing my emotions without suppressing them. The ego typically craves one of two things: to acquire something or to eliminate something. In this instance, I chose to allow my feelings to exist, letting them be until they naturally dissipated in the same awareness through which they were observed.
Suppressing emotions often leads to the opposite effect. As the saying goes, “What you resist, persists.”
What made today particularly beautiful was how I applied these practices, leading to delightful experiences. I found myself laughing heartily and enjoying life, not due to work-related issues but simply because I allowed joy to flow. I even cried—something I usually held back.
Section 1.2: A Touching Experience
My wife called me, asking if I could watch a segment of "Britain's Got Talent" with her, featuring a group of young Ugandan dancers.
The performance was so profoundly moving that tears streamed down my face. This was a stark contrast to my past when I would have resisted such feelings. Instead, I surrendered completely, reveling in the experience. I was overwhelmed with goosebumps, fully embracing the emotions that washed over me. The joy displayed in that performance made me laugh uncontrollably—it was simply incredible.
Chapter 2: The Simplicity of Spirituality
Spiritual practice can be remarkably simple and straightforward. You don’t need to sit cross-legged on a cushion with calming music playing in the background. To me, that often feels more like ‘wellness meditation’—a way to relax, similar to visiting a spa, which is perfectly fine in its own right.
Interestingly, I have started meditating—something I once vowed I would never do, much like the ideas of marriage and parenthood. However, my approach to meditation is quite unconventional, and I will share more about that in my next post.
If this resonated with you or you found it meaningful, consider showing your support—buy me a coffee. It’s a more affordable option than therapy!