spiritual teachings
What It Really Means To Live A Spiritually Aware Life
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do for a living. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, how popular you are, where you live, or how attractive others find you. None of these things define your true worth, and none of them guarantee the fulfillment of your life purpose and soul plan.
In the end, your spiritual wealth transcends any bank balance. The only bling that really matters is how much your soul shines from within!
Many of the most beautiful, caring, thoughtful, compassionate, and charitable souls walk quietly among us — unrecognized by the world’s superficial standards of success. They may not be rich. They may not be famous. They may not wear designer clothes or have thousands of social media followers. And yet, they truly shine!
What really matters is how you treat others, how you live your life, and how you embody your higher self and the light of of your soul in everyday moments. That is what counts in the eyes of God, Source, Spirit, the Divine. The essence of your spirit, not your resume or your reflection in a mirror, is what will leave your legacy in this lifetime.
The essence of this truth echoes throughout the world’s spiritual traditions, reminding us that attachment to wealth, superficial pleasures and material status can become hindrances to our spiritual journey and soul growth.
In Hinduism, for example, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that only those who see the divine in all beings and remain unattached to sense pleasures will find lasting peace. Similarly, in Buddhism, the Dhammapada warns that wealth can ruin the foolish, and the desire for wealth becomes an obstacle to enlightenment. The Buddha taught that spiritual liberation requires renunciation of attachment and the cultivation of inner clarity.
Finding Peace and Joy In The ‘No-thingness’
Like Neo in the movie The Matrix (1999) our minds occasionally slip into luminous moments of complete stillness and clarity — tiny mental pauses where all thinking stops just long enough for us to glimpse the truth of all existence.
In these fleeting spaces between our thoughts, it becomes clear that the comings and goings of life are just that… temporary ‘blips’ of experience that arise and pass through our awareness.
I have come to know these moments as realizations of ‘no-thingness.’
In these brief pauses, something quietly opens up within us. We notice the obvious — what has always been there — hidden behind the busy waking mind and its constant commentary. Our awareness shifts from being consumed by temporary events to seeing what’s always there: the background, the container, the eternal.
These silent mental breaks reveal something much deeper and greater than our own existence and awareness.
There’s a word for this in ancient Sanskrit: svabhāva. It means one’s true nature — the essence of who we are beneath the roles, stories, and conditioning. The term is used in many yogic and Vedantic texts to describe the innate reality or unconditioned self beyond our human ego and thoughts.
Our true authentic self is not something we become. It’s something we remember. When we glimpse the silence between thoughts, we’re not discovering something new — we’re reconnecting with our original divine self. Not the self that reacts and worries, but the self that simply is. Svabhāva is the part of us that doesn’t come and go. It’s the constant presence behind every changing moment. It is the essence of living a truly conscious life.
Feeding The ‘Good Wolf’ Changes Everything!
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by parables, folk tales and fables. I realized at a young age that there is something truly inspiring about a story that not only entertains, but carries a deeper message or spiritual lesson and speaks directly to the heart.
This love of meaningful stories hasn’t diminished over time. I still find myself drawn to stories that offer wisdom, healing, and perspective.
A few years ago, I came across a beautiful Cherokee story — one that spoke volumes to me and offers guidance to many of us as we navigate the emotional terrain of modern life.
The story goes that a young Cherokee boy found himself in a dispute with a friend. The boy felt that his friend had treated him unfairly. Hurt, and burning with anger, he stormed off to find his grandfather, a revered elder of their tribe who was known for his wisdom.
Sitting with his wise grandfather, the boy poured out his frustration, sharing the injustice he felt and the fire of anger that burned within him.
The old man listened patiently, his eyes pensve and kind. Then, with a nod, he spoke:
“I too have felt great anger at those who have taken from me what was not theirs or who have treated me unjustly. But anger wears on the soul like fire on dry grass. It consumes you if you are not careful.”
He paused, then continued, “You see, it is as if two wolves are fighting within me. One is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. This is the evil wolf. He lashes out, trusts no one, and isolates himself from the world.”
The Divine Path Back To Unconditional Love
Recently, I was meditating on a deeply personal situation — one that stirred up waves of anger and resentment, even bordering on hatred and bitterness. Then I received an insight from spirit that stopped me in my tracks. It was one of those profound moments when time stands still and sacred truth illuminates your heart.
“Never forget the Golden Rule,” spirit said. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Do not do to others what you do not want done to you. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Suddenly I realized that the deeper truth of holding unconditional love in your heart. It’s a universal spiritual principle because it works both ways! You would never, ever want the same hatred or anger that you direct at others, to be directed at you.
Now let me be honest. My anger this time wasn’t just outward to others. It also turned inward. It was a growing dark, toxic presence in my heart and mind.
Life has been hard lately. Too many people I know have died far too young. Watching my beloved partner in a so-called “medical facility” that should not be allowed to take care of anyone, especially our elders. Almost losing him. Being emotionally and financially drained by someone I trusted. The exhausting noise of political chaos.
It has been one thing after another, piling up until I reached a boiling point. I began to ask the big, painful question: Why? Why all this suffering? Why now? Why me? And I wasn’t just angry at the world — I was angry at myself. Angry at Source, Spirit, God. Angry at the seeming cruelty of it all.
Finding True Purpose In The Unity Of Love
There is a profound truth about life that many people don’t fully grasp until they reach the end of their journey.
Our true purpose in this life not about success, status, or the material things we accumulate. It’s about something far greater and more beautiful: love.
At the core of our existence is the simple yet powerful truth that we are all connected. That is why we must love unconditionally, share our gifts with the world, and show up for others with kindness, compassion, and authenticity.
Yet so often we get caught up in the pursuit of validation, accomplishment, and material success, only to realize – sometimes too late – that love is the greatest accomplishment of all.
Consider a drop of water falling into the ocean. Alone, it may seem small and separate. But the moment it merges with the vast ocean, it’s no longer just a drop-it becomes part of something infinite, part of every wave, every current, and every ripple.
That’s us. We are never really separate; we are all woven into the fabric of existence, flowing together in this great cosmic dance.
And when we live from love – when we choose to be present, to forgive, to uplift others – we become more than ourselves. We become a part of something timeless.
In the end, what matters most is not what we own or what we’ve accomplished, but the love we’ve given, the lives we’ve touched, and the hearts we’ve left a little warmer. Love is the thread that binds us all together, the force that carries us beyond this fleeting moment into eternity.
The Spiritual Significance Of 777
The number seven is a powerful sign when it appears in your life. Traditionally considered a lucky number, seven carries energies that can help expand various aspects of your life, allowing you to manifest greater results.
But seven is about much more than manifestation. It is a deeply spiritual number that often aligns with pivotal moments of deep understanding and transformation. When it appears repeatedly, it signals alignment with your divine purpose — a confirmation from Spirit that you are on the right path and an encouragement to continue your inner work.
The presence of the seven often marks periods of profound spiritual growth, offering insights into your role in the world and how you choose to show up for others.
You may notice a sense of effortless flow, as if guided by an unseen force. This occurs because your awareness of what serves your highest good — and the greater good — has expanded. Your intuition is sharpened, giving you access to universal insights and enabling you to act with greater compassion and wisdom.
Seven is closely associated with the expansion of consciousness. Its repeated appearance in your life may inspire you to explore spiritual matters more deeply, seeking wisdom in philosophy, metaphysics, and esoteric traditions.
This number encourages introspection and self-discovery, inviting you to reflect on your journey and embrace the deeper truths of the universe. Those who frequently encounter the number seven may also experience an increased connection to higher realms, noticing synchronicities, heightened intuition, and a greater awareness of unseen spiritual forces.
Reincarnation And The Karmic Journey Of The Soul
Reincarnation — the belief that the soul experiences multiple lifetimes through a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth — is embraced by many spiritual and religious traditions worldwide. Wisdom traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and various indigenous belief systems integrate reincarnation deeply into their teachings.
For those who embrace the concept, reincarnation offers a transformative perspective on life and mortality. When we believe that our soul consciousness continues beyond this life, death is no longer something to be feared. Instead, it becomes a transition — a doorway to new opportunities for growth and evolution. Reincarnation provides a rich and expansive framework for understanding the soul’s journey.
Whether you fully embrace the concept or explore it with curiosity, reflecting on the interplay of karma and rebirth can inspire greater mindfulness, compassion, and purpose. In this view, death is not an end, but a passage — a gateway to continued exploration and spiritual progress.
Belief in some form of continued existence beyond this life is widespread. A 2011 Ipsos Global Advisor survey of more than 18,000 people in 23 countries found that 51% of respondents believe in an afterlife that includes beliefs in heaven, hell, and reincarnation. Specifically, 7% of respondents said they believed in reincarnation.
In the United States, a 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that approximately 33% of adults believe in reincarnation. This belief is more prevalent among younger adults under 50 (38%) compared to those aged 50 and older (27%).