Spiritual Materialism

There seems to be three main groups of people on this earth:

-Those who focus on the purely physical and material (which is most).
-Those who focus purely on the spiritual and immaterial (very rare).
-Those who are in between these two groups (a growing group).

All valid research done on quality of life and happiness clearly demonstrate that those who have a perspective which includes some sort of spirituality or 'higher' values (like a willingness to trust in something greater than themselves and to love others) live more fulfilling lives.

The question that I keep asking myself is, how can we help others awaken?
What do people need to start paying attention?

The answer: people need to be attracted. They need to feel attraction for something, to want something, and to believe that this 'awakening' will help them get it. That's actually how I got into the spiritual dimension. I had a desire to become something more... and the more I searched the deeper I got into teachings about life and enlightenment because everything pointed to the fact that once you reach a certain level of enlightenment, anything truly is possible... effortlessly.

Now, spiritual masters have been saying for ages that we should not seek the attainment of powers or success in any way, to be able to release all resistance to who we really are... yet that is exactly the point that will attract most people. What does everyone want? More success, more wealth, more wisdom, more power, more freedom, more love. Why not attract people to the path with these so that they may taste awakening and thus be hooked for life?

Is it ethical? That depends on how it is presented. Is it needed? Maybe not. But it might help those who are lost to find their way if they know what is possible, what's 'out there'.

Should marketing be used to draw people to the path of enlightenment?

Is'nt it simply the universe talking here when we get these kinds of ideas in our heads? I believe that many people are ready for this. There is much more talk about spirituality in the world these days. It is spreading to all walks of life, permeating all work and play.

Besides, it is high time that we finally merge our reality into a coherent whole.

It is time to combine the highest spiritual truths with day to day work and play. It is time for us to become masters of both the spiritual realm, as well as the physical world, instead of spending only part of our time in each.

Or, as the well-known spiritual teacher Osho described it, to become new human beings (which he called "Zorba the Buddha"), who are "capable of enjoying both the earthly pleasures of a Zorba the Greek and the silent serenity of a Gautama the Buddha".

So do not be afraid of loving all of life, even the material. Just permeate all that you do, all that you have, and all that you are, with powerful spiritual truth and you will find yourself exactly where you have always desired to be.

Charles

Copyright © Charles Begin