* AUTHENTICITY * LOVE * WISDOM * RIGHTEOUSNESS * COURAGE * FREEDOM *
SPIRITUALITY VS RELIGION
Spirituality is a process of transmutation of the Self, to transcend from lower to higher consciousness through various methods and techniques involving yoga, mindful meditation, self-discovery, self-awareness, and self-realization. It leads one towards the awakening of the soul, which guides and checks the brain and its body. Spirituality signifies a verb in action, like in cases of humanity, divinity, sexuality, etc. It is more of an objective effort to act upon subjective Spiritualism. It is the spirit in motion - spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Spirituality is distinct from mythology and beliefs, focusing on practicing prescribed methods to experience the soul and guide the random emotional thoughts in one’s mind. It’s an individual implementation for understanding the self beyond the cognitive mind without involving tenets, beliefs, or faiths.
One should not confuse spirituality with religion - Spirituality is one's personal path with the divine, while religion is simply mass control.
Religion is a fear-based system of control, designed to limit the mind of the Man. Throughout history, religion goes hand in hand with the people in power, to prevent the common people from rising against their oppressors, regardless of how tyrannical they may be.
Let us now proceed with our spiritual journey and practice, to align ourselves with true divinity.
LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Most people would understand and explain "living in the present moment" as just focus on the "now", however, that is only superficially correct.
"Living in the present moment" means to be free from fear and attachment. Free from the guilt in the past, free from the anxiety of the future. Not attached to what you possessed in the past, not craving for what may be in the future.
This is also one of the core teachings of Daoism in China, and Yoga and Buddhism in India.
NON-ATTACHMENT VS DETACHMENT
How is non-attachment different from detachment, something that many other spiritual paths emphasize as well?
Detachment refers to rejecting and breaking away from worldly things, and prolonged detachment develops into indifference.
Whereas in non-attachment, one can possess and enjoy worldly things, yet not attached to them when they are no longer available. One is grateful when good things come, yet not greedy when there is none, and nonchalant when things no longer exists.
Many religions often talk about detachment, but when you actually study the core teachings, it is actually about non-attachment. You can say that it may be a problem of intepretation, as well as the usage of words, during the translations.
EQUANIMITY
Equanimity is the ability to remain mentally and emotionally balanced, especially during difficult, stressful, or emotionally charged situations. It doesn't mean suppressing emotions or not caring—it means experiencing emotions without being overwhelmed or controlled by them.
If something wonderful happens, equanimity lets you enjoy it without becoming excessively attached or fearful of losing it.
If you receive criticism, equanimity allows you to listen, consider whether it's valid, and respond thoughtfully rather than reacting defensively.
Equanimity is different from apathy (Feeling little or nothing) or indifference: (Not caring about what happens).
Being a person of equanimity also does not mean that you become someone who is easily manipulated, like a sheep to the slaughter.
It simply means that your mind and heart are not easily disturbed by external events.
Equanimity is one of the core practices in many spiritual paths. Equanimity is a skill that can be developed through practices such as mindfulness meditation, self-reflection, and learning to pause before reacting. Over time, it helps people respond to life with greater clarity, resilience, and wisdom rather than being carried away by every emotion or circumstance.
LAW OF KARMA
Karma is often mistranslated and misunderstood, especially in the West. Karma is not the result of your action. Karma is your volition in action.
Your intentions can be manifested as thoughts, speech or actions, and an authentic intention can be understood as "action without selfish motive", meaning that your actions should be aligned with the flow of the nature, without any selfish motives, without forcing your way and going against nature.
Do what you can that is within your own control, and leave what is beyond your control to nature. Do what is required and possible at that point of time, yet not having expectations to the results.
In the Yoga, it is emphasized the one should do what is needed, and not having any expectations the results of your actions, not expecting recognition, not expecting any reciprocation.
When you do a good deed while hoping that you get something good out of it, you are actually doing "good" out of greed.
Karma is often translated as "action", but more importantly, is the driving force of the action, which is the intention.
For example, to others you may be doing a good deed, but if your intention was founded on selfish or malicious motives, then the Karma is negative instead of positive. And vice versa.
Sometimes, the result is not what we expected, but the intention is always within our control.
In the Vedanta and the Buddhist concepts, karma (also known as kamma) is defined as "intention". Karma can be manifested in the form of thought, speech or action.
In Daoism, WuWei (無為) can is understood as "action without personal motive", meaning that your actions should be aligned with the flow of the nature, without any selfish motives, without forcing your way and going against nature. You are to hone your talents and skills, and use them for the benefit of the world. Do what you can that within your own control, and leave what is beyond your control to nature. Do what is required and possible at that point of time, yet not having expectations to the results. WuWei does not mean that you are a pacifist. According to Natural Law, committing violence goes against the Dao but you have the right to defend yourself or others with defensive force when being threatened by violence. Thus, the most most accurate translation of WuWei is "Action without selfish motive".
There is also a difference between spiritual merit (功德) and secular merit (福德).
Spiritual merit is accumulative throughout your lifetime across time and space, while secular merit, though may be observed relatively soon, can be used up relatively fast, like the money in your wallet.
There is also a difference between "seen" merit (明德) and "unseen" merit (阴德).
"Seen" merit is what most governments, corporations, billionaires and millionaires do: they do something "good" (with their own agenda), and they brag and boast about with fanfare and publicity.
"Unseen" merit is when you do something good, but in secret. This "unseen" merit is the true gold and silver in your treasure chest.
LAW OF MANIFESTATION
In the New Age movement, many people think that the Law of Manifestation is just "think and it will happen", but that is incorrect.
For the Law of manifestation to work, there must be a union of thought, intention, authentic belief, action, and environment.
Any lack of any of these factors will affect the manifestation from happening.
Wishful desire without the mental or physical capabilities, or the conducive environment to support it, will not manifest.
Manifestation is the direction of intent.
YOUR ATTENTION IS YOUR ENERGY
What we give our attention to in our daily lives is what consumes our energy. Have you ever noticed that when you did not do much physical work, but when you have been bombarded by external stimuli, you feel more tired and fatigued that usual?
Distractions in our daily lives, regardless of whether pleasant or unpleasant, are what drain us of our energy.
HOW TO PREVENT ENERGY LEAKAGE?
Have you ever wondered, when you are in a quiet environment, and suddenly random thoughts would just pop into your mind without you needing to even think about it? Are these thoughts really from YOU?
In the Daoist, Yogic and Buddhist teachings, it is taught that you are not your thoughts, and your thoughts are not you. The random thoughts will cause emotional reactions, thus resulting in emotional fluctuations.
In Yoga, it is taught that the practice involves the stilling of the fluctuations of the citta (emotional mind). In Buddhist teachings, practitioners aim to be in the constant state of Upekkha (equanimity) in their daily lives. In the Daoist practice, the practitioner trains himself not to be influenced by thoughts and emotions.
This is why the stilling of the mind and emotions is an important part of the spiritual practice. Understand that the thoughts in your mind may not be of your own, and the emotions being generated (and/or being triggered) result in your energy lost.
This is what Yogis, Daoist and Buddhists call 无漏.
REACTING VS RESPONDING
Reacting vs Responding. Aren't those two the same?
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A Reaction is like a wild animal, trying to bite anyone who tries approach it.
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A Response is more like a skilled martial arts expert, when challenged on the streets, will assess the danger, and diffuse the situation appropriately.
Reaction is emotion-based, and instictively reacts like a wild animal.
Response require thinking and evaluation before taking the necessary action.
Responding instead of reacting involves taking a moment to pause and reflect before acting, allowing for a more thoughtful and deliberate response. This approach can lead to better outcomes in communication and relationships.
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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VIOLENCE VS DEFENSIVE FORCE
Many people are unable to clearly differentiate between force and violence.
Violence is the intentional use of any means to harm, intimidate, or control someone. It may have offensive, retaliatory, or coercive purposes. The harm might be physical, mental, and/or spiritual.
Defensive force is used to protect yourself or others from an immediate threat. It has a defensive purpose, and is generally expected to be proportionate to the danger.
Ahimsa is often translated as "non-violence" or "non-harming", but that is an incorrect translation.
Ahimsa comes from the root word "Himsa", meaning "injustice" or "cruelty". "A-" means "to be in opposition". Thus, Ahimsa means to be against injustice, cruelty and oppression.
Words, tones, behaviors, and even our thoughts can turn into weapons if used destructively. In the Veda, the ways of delivering harm are Kayaka (“of the hand,” aka physical actions), Vacaka (“expressive,” aka words), and Manasika (“of the mind,” aka thoughts). The perfect practice of Ahimsa, then, may be seen to be rare indeed.
This conscious consideration not only apply to yourself, but unto others as well. If you claim to embody Ahimsa, but turn a blind eye when any of the 3 types of violence is done unto others, then you are not practising Ahimsa in its essence. Thus, being a pacifist is not Ahimsa at all.
In modern society, especially in the western world, Gandhi is the icon representing Ahimsa. But that is not so.
For example, if a gang of murderers wanted to kill a group of women & children, and you as a practitioner of Ahimsa, stands in front of the group, trying to dissuade the murderers from harming the victims. This is neither wise nor effective. You would only add another casualty to the number of victims as the murderers would kill you before proceeding to kill the others. This action would have caused yourself to be killed, the murderers commit another crime, and will not save the group from their death.
Ahimsa is to minimize and neutralize any form of violence, be it onto yourself or unto others.
"You are not truly peaceful unless you are capable of great violence. If you are not capable of violence, you are not peaceful - you are just harmless. There is a difference."