7 myths about spirituality debunked

During my childhood and teenage years, I woke up to Jain bhajans playing on our tape recorder every morning. It was my mother’s ritual. She wanted the family to start their day with sweet adulations to the divine. In hindsight, it was a spiritual household. I was differently inclined though. I preferred listening to rock music and was never excited at my mother’s suggestion to read books of saints in our tradition. Yet, when life hit me hard after college, the very spiritual books that I ignored became my bedrock support. The books helped me find strength and clarity of thought during my period of uncertainty and weakness.

Spirituality has served as a beacon of hope and inspiration to millions. This is not just anecdotal evidence. Scientists have found that those following some spiritual practice tend to be happier, less anxious, and depressed than those who don’t. Yet like my younger self, many in my generation are not its ardent takers. One reason being the many myths that surround it. Let us debunk some of the most common ones and try to see what spirituality really is rather than how it seems to be.

Myth 1

Spirituality is something to do with religion.

This popular belief scares atheists and those who do not want to identify with any religion to be anywhere closer to spirituality. But the truth is, you don’t necessarily have to believe in an entity to be spiritual.

You can be spiritual just by being kind. As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Spiritual practices are not any different from you being spirited, happy, compassionate, or in love.” Spirituality is a value system, a way of life. Spiritual practices are just a way to strengthen these innate values in you.

Myth 2

Spirituality is only for old people.

Whether young or old, we all want happiness. The world promises it. Yet, we don’t find it there. Even if we do, it is not ever-lasting. Maybe because we are looking in the wrong place. “Our spirit is the source of all joy,” says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Spiritual practices are a way to connect with this eternal source of joy, peace, and strength. Your spirit can give you the strength to smile through any tough time.

So, does this mean spirituality is only for people who are sad or miserable? That’s your myth 3 below - debunked.

Myth 3

Spirituality is only for those who are sad and miserable.

We all have shortcomings. We all have desires. Yet, overcoming our flaws and fulfilling our desires seem quite a challenge at times. Spirituality can help here. It can help you find your potential and strength when you are unsure of your capabilities. It can help you reach your goals. It can help you better yourself. It can help you rise when life hits you rock bottom. All by connecting you with yourself, making you your own life coach.

Needless to say, spirituality is for everyone!

Myth 4

Spirituality disengages you from professional goals.

Anyone practicing meditation, a form of spiritual practice will tell you otherwise. Spiritual practices, most notably meditation calms your mind and sharpens your intellect. This inevitably makes you better at what you do! Reducing your stress significantly, spirituality can bring an enormous shift in your attitude towards work. But the change will be more likely from an attitude of mindless competition to that of enthusiasm and a creative-based approach.

Spirituality improved my professional life

“I have always been hardworking and started earning at a young age. As a result, my daily hours of sleep suffered. When I was forced by my friends to attend a breathing workshop, I was skeptical at first, especially because it was associated with a Guru figure. I considered myself spiritual. But I was never a believer in spiritual practices and Guru figures. But after the first session, I felt like I got a good deep sleep after ages. The breathing technique that I learned in the workshop is now a spiritual practice for me. It makes me happy and content. A similar feeling of bliss that I experienced teaching kids in a government school in my teens. The practice has made me calmer and more skillful in dealing with people which has inevitably improved my professional life.” - Shagun Pant, RJ

Myth 5

You need to give up material pleasure to be spiritual.

Materialism and spirituality are not opposed to each other. Both are complementary. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar explains through an example, “If you have a plate full of food and someone comes to you, you will not be able to eat it alone. Every spiritual person wants to give and share. But you cannot give when you have nothing to give away.”

However, he adds, “Money earned through unethical means is never spiritual. It will pinch your heart.”

Myth 6

Spirituality is cultish.

Cults follow a particular belief system and do not invite questions and doubts. On the other hand, the progress on the spiritual path happens with sincere questions. Unlike cults, it does not profess a single line of thought to be the ultimate truth. It is an invitation to new experiences and to re-examine your existing beliefs about yourself and the world. Cults breed in fear. The basis of spirituality is love and a sharp intellect that can see through hoaxes.