#58: Moving Forward in Spiritual Life: What’s the Next Step?

You’ve come to realise that you want to live a more spiritually oriented life. Now what? This episode is centred around a question a friend of Ruben had for him, namely what the next step is if one wants to develop spiritually. What practices are important, and if I’d like to make some form of plan; how should it look? Answering the question, we discuss the danger of relying on our senses to come to understand the Absolute Truth. We need to rely on authentic knowledge and perfect teachers rather than relying on our imperfect senses, the societal norms or what our friends and family tell us. Having plans and goals and plans is all good, but we need to ultimately tune in to the plan that the Supreme Person has for us. Balakhilya also shares personal examples and gives very practical tips for daily spiritual practices such as hearing and chanting mantras as well as remembering that the self is not the body; which are the first three and most important processes of Bhakti Yoga. Highlights: (1:08) What to do after deciding to implement a spiritual practice in life? Knowledge is the first step, including knowing that we can’t rely on our senses. (7:54) Material pleasures are temporary and not satisfying to the soul, exemplified by smoking and its negative health effects (15:14) The first steps in bhakti yoga are hearing and chanting mantras and the Absolute Truth, followed by remembering; for example, reinforcing the truth that you are not your physical body (26:42) The bhakti yoga process involves devotional practices, all fully structured and arranged by the Supreme Arranger (38:43) Climbing Mount Everest costs around $65,000 to $100,000 and 12 people already died trying this year (5 more are missing). But despite the investment required and risks involved, those who are motivated will do whatever it takes to make it. This teaches us that desires are essential, and we need to increase our desire for spiritual fullfillment to be successful. (46:39) We must ultimately surrender to the plan of the Supreme Person to have success, and be flexible and adaptable (1:00:46) Cultivate beneficial desires for a better life Recorded on June 12, 2023. Watch video version, join our email list, contribute, etc: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail