Reverence

A gift of Spiritual Practice

Spiritual practices are full of gifts. The gifts vary for each individual and the list is endless. Today, I feel evoked to elaborate upon a gift that my practice has gracefully offered me.

Given its varied interpretations, the word ‘spiritual’ might not sit well with many, it might sit too well with some and for some others it may not matter. Nevertheless, it is important that I share my understanding.

A spiritual practice helps me listen and observe myself with enhanced awareness. It makes me reflective. It is a means to access my inner universe. It is not to be equated with being religious.

My daily practice is a harmonious mix of Yoga, Reiki and Mantra Japam. Yours might me different. There is no right or wrong spiritual practice. And not everyone is drawn to practice. In the beginning, we always pick something that speaks to us, that which attracts us. I firmly believe that when we follow any practice sincerely, it takes us to the right teacher(s) and the right practice(s), if needed. It helps us move forward in our respective journeys.

Among many gifts, my practice has given me the gift of reverence and gratitude towards my physical body.

I view my body as a very intelligent instrument that can help me achieve my highest potential.

It is my home, it is my residence, it is my temple. It is the space where my inner intelligence or the divinity resides. ( the divine with form or formless, doesn’t matter how one connects to it)

My practice has increased my sensitivity towards the body. I am aware of the times when I feel rested or when I feel otherwise.

Most importantly, there is a strong conviction and therefore an inner motivation to keep my home clean, beautiful, abundant, enlivening and sacred.

Amidst the body shaming pandemic we are caught up in since times immemorial, we are asked to cultivate self-love, we are asked to affirm to ourselves how beautiful and unique we are, no matter what the bullies might tell you.

But regardless of our affirmations, we may unknowingly be caught up in the idea of loving a “manicured” version of our physical selves. The self-love affirmations often spring from a haste for change, the motivation to keep up the self-care practices is clouded by an underlying anxiety to see results. Very less often, do these spring from a space of acceptance, compassion and curiosity.

Spiritual practices on the other hand work inside-out. They transform you before you realize it. Suddenly one day you become aware of this shift within you.

Developing deep respect and acceptance of the body is one such transformation.

With reverence sprouts deep love for the body. Self-care practices then become an outcome of this love.

We are all gardeners who have been given a piece of the garden to take care of. No matter what our attitude towards the garden maybe, it remains ours for the rest of this life. We do not know when the seeds will sprout, all we can do is take ownership of this garden and keep it fertile. The tools are the spiritual practices, the gifts are the seeds that sprout.

In one of his famous couplets, Kabir, the 15th century Indian mystic poet and weaver saint explores the body as a subtle and delicate weave.

झीनी झीनी बीनी चदरिया ॥
काहे का ताना काहे की भरनी। कौन तार से बीनी चदरिया ॥

In the end, he says, unlike others who sully this weave while wearing it, this servant of god is returning his weave unsullied. (You can find the entire poem, its meaning and the song version sung by Pandit Kumar Gandharva here. )

I invite you to open yourselves to the fountain within!