Wash your face with cold water.

So, you’ve come to the realisation that life is about more than just acquiring material goods, growing your bank account, and briefly indulging your senses. Perhaps you’re looking for a form of love that transcends all finite, transitory partnerships. Or simply convinced that the human condition must be more complex than what late capitalist modernity would have us think. Whatever your tale, there are some things you’ll need to pick up along the way and quickly—if you don’t want to lose your footing while attempting to raise your consciousness.

You can no longer rely just on books.

How often have you filled your mind with knowledge just to have it flow out and leave you with nothing but time wasted? It was discovered by ancient contemplative traditions from India, Tibet, and other places that merely studying the scriptures is ineffective. Unless it is thought about, completely put in practise, and then acquired experientially. The words on the page are only helpful once you have arrived at the actual reality they are pointing to. If not, the unprocessed knowledge drags you down and leaves you unsure of what to do. Finding someone who truly represents this experiential learning is the best way to absorb it (a Guru). The West has so much baggage attached to that word that most people would either freak out at the mere mention of it or bemoan the difficulty in finding it. Nonetheless, the fundamental idea is true whether you follow someone outside of yourself or your higher self’s powerful, inner intuition. Consider experience learning more valuable than knowledge accumulation.

You’re unhappy because of judgement, not unfairness.

Enlightened people can occasionally be perceived as apathetic cosmic hippies. According to the theory of ultimate truth, phenomena are intrinsically good, everything is flawless, exactly as it should be, and they arise from legitimate causes. Just consider it for a second. The only thing truly “wrong” with the world is what stems from our judgmental need for everything to be perfect if everything in the world has a lengthy history of karma behind it (most of which we can’t even sense). Yet in the world of conditionality, as they say, everything is broken. Samsara is an ineffective system that never has been and never will be. This universe was not intended to exist perfectly. It was intended to awaken us. Any form of suffering, according to Mahayana Buddhism, can lead to enlightenment. The best opportunity we will ever have to create the one thing that causes awakening unlike anything other is provided by every harsh person, cunning boss, and unfair system. Compassion. Pity. the desire to improve oneself so that one may inspire, instruct, and ultimately save others we truly love. If everything has a reason, even awakening, then we should live wisely and deliberately. planting the appropriate seeds as opposed to getting upset about discovering the “wrong” trees.

Nobody advised you to turn into a “Guru.”

The mere fact that you experienced a spiritual awakening does not obligate you to work as a teacher, yoga instructor, or therapist. All you have to do is venture out into the world and behave admirably. We require spiritual educators in all fields, including nursing, counselling, and writing. We don’t need more people peddling $600 manifestation courses that just use people’s good karma to buy transient joys. People are needed to introduce the morals of a spiritual way of life to the ordinary material world. Really, the world cannot support any more individuals who choose to reject society in favour of their personal independence.

Comfort is a low-cost way to experience spiritual depression.

You may believe that “travelling to India” to further your spiritual journey is overused. After all, its knowledge is now universal, readily available, and extensively translated, not to mention all the undiscovered treasures from other world cultures. The idea of a physical quest, however, conveys deeper implications. In pursuit of a more civilised way of life with a more comprehensive foundation, it is the visceral rejection of the ignorance-based structures on which the West is based. To even know how to follow a route to lasting freedom, you must physically (or psychologically) leave behind a civilization that values quick solutions and limitless luxury.

Indigenous and paganism societies all around the world have long understood that conscious community is the key to enlightenment. Simple living that leaves mental space for introspection. High moral requirements. The Earth-loving origins of the ancient ways only found expression in the shape of classical civilization in nations like India, Tibet, China, and Japan. You won’t be able to live your greatest life if you are constantly stressed out at work, binge-watch Netflix to lose your focus, or plan your retirement instead of living in the present. You need to abandon this way of living by learning to put your inner landscape first at work. By managing the foods your mind consumes. By being ready now for an old age that is entirely dedicated to spiritual development through serious meditation skill development. Being too comfortable is a surefire recipe for spiritual failure. If you need proof, just have a look around.

The lesson is that nobody can complete the work for you. If all the Gurus, Buddhas, and scholars were so strong, awakened, and compassionate, why weren’t they able to enlighten the ignorant masses on a massive scale, a Tibetan monk once questioned his spiritual mentor? Only someone who is sleeping may awaken from such sleep, his teacher retorted. Another person awakening from theirs can shout all day long, but ultimately they have no control over it. Your own wakefulness must be in your hands.

Hi, I’m Garima and I write about life experiences. I have several books available on Amazon. Check them out today! Any purchases or KDP reads will be greatly appreciated. If you like my books, do leave a review. Here’s my author page on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0BQDZXYNV