Prioritizing Spiritual Health

Why do we stop prioritizing spiritual health? I think a large part of it involves our expectations. We want the big bang! We want every practice to end if not in rapture, then in some big revelation. Therein lies the pitfall.

When my practice falls short of this expectation I start to wonder if it’s all worth it. I look around and think, “Look at that lady. She seems happy and I know she doesn’t wake up an hour earlier to chant every morning”. In my great hubris, I convince myself I’ve already done enough meditating, chanting, and yoga. Therefore, I can take time off. It never works out the way I think it will, but hey, a lady can dream!

Serendipitously, this week I came across a story I’d never considered before. First, in an interpretation by William  Willimon and then in a sermon by a pastor-friend. In the New Testament, four men carry a paralyzed man through the roof to get him to Jesus for healing since they couldn’t get through the crowded house.

Healing The Paralytic at Capernaum

Long story short – Jesus says something along the lines of “Your sins are forgiven”. This is wonderful except those present and us readers are all thinking “That’s great and all but he still can’t walk”.  Jesus being Jesus says “What is easier to say ‘I forgive your sins’ or ‘get up and start walking?'” He turns to the infirmed man and directs him to start walking. Spoiler alert – the formerly paralytic man walks.

I’ve been meditating on the question, ‘which is easier to ‘forgive my sins’ or to ‘start walking’? It’s easier for me (and maybe you, too) to focus on the corporal – the things that we can see, hear, and feel. Because it can be measured, I tend to prioritize the body. I can see my body getting fitter, leaner, and healthier through my physical practices. There is an almost immediate gratification involved.

Spiritual practice is a little slippery. Often, I can’t see its benefits. Because the road is labyrinthine and I often trip over the same bumps in the road, albeit from a different perspective. It can feel like I’m not getting anywhere. However, when I look back at forty days of mantra practice I can see I’m changed.

The Opportunity For Spiritual Awakening

However, it’s not the goal that’s important – the “bettering” of self. It’s the opportunity for communion that counts. When we meet a friend for coffee, we have the opportunity for closeness, a new idea, or a good laugh. Sometimes, we end up just talking about the weather.

In the same way, we may sit down to meditation practice and feel closer to Spirit, see a challenge from a different angle, or feel our hearts smile. Other times, we just sit for thirty minutes.

We don’t know which kind of meeting we are going to experience, but one thing I know for sure is that there will be no communion, epiphany, or revelation if I don’t take the time to sit.

Jesus cured the man of all his ills, but the man would have remained as he was if he didn’t have friends to carry him or the space and time to be in relationship with the Divine.

Can you prioritize your spiritual health this week? Write me below.