The “New-age” movement has done individuals a great disservice. People are under the delusion that once they take to a spiritual practice, that all their problems will disappear. In the external world, they believe that if they visualise clearly enough, that all their dreams and desires will come true. They believe that once they start to meditate, that nothing bad will happen in their life. Internally, they think that all their challenges and negativity will vanish. They wonder why the depression they have had for so many years has not left them.

It is simply a great delusion.

If you have taken to yoga, meditation or any other spiritual discipline, but are still experiencing a sense of “lack” in your life, then stop now, take a deep breath, and read on. Spirituality is not a patch up job. Yes these disciplines will be helpful and sometimes even transformational, but they will not perform miracles. The “highs” that many people feel after a course, are very often followed by intense lows. Do not be fooled by “the experience”. They are not the real thing. Yes, very pleasant experiences, and even blissful, ecstatic states may occur with a spiritual practice, but these are just “side-kicks” to the real thing.

“Experiences” can be produced by yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, intense exercise, sexual pleasure, and even drugs. The “experience” is no different. It is just the path or method that is different. Drug takers seek an experience, but in the process, they become addicted, their nervous systems get “fused” and they may even end up taking an overdose. It’s a dangerous route to an experience. From that perspective, it is a far healthier path via yoga, meditation and breathing. Generally speaking, you are not going to do yourself any harm. The “runners high” is a very well-known phenomenon and again equates to an “experience”. Even sex can produce the most intense pleasure, but the moment the “experience” dissipates, you end up down the other side of the emotional and energetic slide.

Don’t be fooled. Experiences are the best marketing tool for many spiritual organisations but it’s not the real thing. The real thing, is still, deep, steady and unshakeable. It is not at the level of the mind and emotions, and is untouched by the movements of energy. The real thing does not seek or hanker for anything that does not already exist within itself. The real thing allows imperfections of the human organism to find a place within itself  through acceptance and love. You can’t keep suppressing what is really there. Whether it is depression, fear, an alcohol addiction, or the desire for sexual pleasure, all these things must be accepted fully and allowed to find a place within. This is a subtle thing. It is not allowing yourself to be dictated by them. You are not giving yourself permission to wallow in sadness or the fact that you are an alcoholic. It is allowing and accepting them to be part of this imperfect thing that makes us human.

Once this occurs, real humility and  gratitude happens. I am not suggesting for a moment that spiritual practices are useless. I have personally found the discipline of yoga and meditation to be a most useful tool. But I see them as a tool, and even as a crutch. These days, I now go many days without sitting for “traditional meditation” and life seems more beautiful than ever. If you are on a “spiritual path” you may find yourself feeling despondent reading the above. You may even feel you have wasted years meditating when you could have been out having fun like your friends. No amount of spiritual practice (sadhana) is ever wasted.

Just be aware that spirituality is not a patch up job. It is knowing that your real self is  much deeper than the fleeting, transient experiences of the mind and energies. And it allows all “imperfections” to be accepted, included and even loved. That is why in yoga, the lotus flower is used as a symbol of growth. Without the presence of the roots and the mud from which it grows, the flowering can never happen.

In Health and Wellness