Soulful Sadhak

I have been studying and practicing many different kinds of religion and spiritual practices for some years now, and I recently discovered there is a big scam going on. I saw it in many people, in how they behaved, talked and walked, but I mostly saw it in my own approach to spiritual practice. What does religion really teach? The thing is, what often happens when people turn to a certain religion or practice – whether it be radical Islamism or seemly harmless meditation practice – is they think they have found ‘The Way’. They think their old ways were wrong and that they have to change and become a different person. They might even start proselytizing feverously – much to the annoyance of others – or – in the worst case scenario – become violent or aggressive towards people who think differently. The primary violence however is in our own heads, the primary violence we direct towards ourselves. You see, the moment people give themselves to a particular path, they go a bit crazy. Somet...

When one gets involved in spiritual practice, one often comes across people who seem to be full of love. They seem to bask in some sort of divine light. They are full of smiles and hugs, continuously wish everyone the most beautiful things and never let a moment go by to express how wonderful everything and everyone they meet is. The longer I practice, the more – forgive me for being frank – these people start to bother me. Why all this talk about love? Why all these flowery words filled with rainbows, unicorns and sunshine? Are they trying to make up for something? Or maybe trying to hide something? If you are full of joy, just feel joy, why this urgent need to put it into words? Isn’t the feeling of joy in itself enough of a blessing? And if you really love someone, he or she can just tell by the look on your face, by a simple smile or the touch of a hand. When you really love other people, you feel it, and they will feel it too. If you are confident enough, they will be able to tell...

A young monk was trying really hard to meditate, but he just was not able to focus properly. Frustrated with himself he went to his master and said: ‘Master, master, my mind is so full of distraction. I cannot even focus for a single moment!’ The master calmly replied: ‘Don’t worry, it will pass.’ A week later, it seemed like he had some sort of breakthrough. His mind was crystal clear and his meditation went easily and smoothly. Proudly, he returned to his master and said: ‘Master, master. My meditation is going great. My mind is so quiet and clear!’ The master replied calmly: ‘Don’t worry, it will pass.’                                                                                           Zen Story W hen I first got into Buddhism, I thought attaining Enlig...