Question 01

There are phases when I feel deep clarity, silence, and a sense of being the witness; and then suddenly, without any obvious reason, old patterns like desire, restlessness, or emotional reactions resurface.

This makes me doubt myself.

Is this a sign that my spiritual understanding is incomplete, or is this fluctuation itself part of the natural process of integration?

Answer:

Take these emotional outbursts, restlessness or any other old patterns as an opportunity for spiritual growth. If you resist or suppress them, you won’t be able to overcome them.

Next time when you face any such thing, immediate thing to do is to become 100% present. Don’t resent it. Let it happen, become a witness to it. And later contemplate on what happened. The act of merely witnessing and contemplating on it will reduce intensity of such events in the future.

Don’t doubt yourself, let things unfold naturally. Don’t attach yourself to the events or identities. Take it as a part of the Karma that must dissolve. Just by consciously observing these events, you will be able to get free from them.

Question 02

I feel drawn to spirituality, meditation, and self-inquiry, but I’m also ambitious and want success, comfort, and recognition in the world.

Sometimes I feel guilty about my desires, as if wanting a good life means I’m “less spiritual.”

Is it possible to walk a genuine spiritual path without renouncing worldly goals?

Answer:

Spirituality of every single living being is different, their journeys are different, their stories are different and the ways they reach Self/ God are different.

Spirituality cannot be contained in structures, methods or boxes. Every individual has their own path. Spirituality does not mean renunciation. Spirituality means living your life authentically. Being true to yourself, being true to what feels right to you.

You don’t need to suppress your desire for success, comfort and recognition. Suppression will lead you nowhere. Have all these desires and work towards them; but also explore spirituality and try to integrate it in your day to day life.

Once your spiritual understanding develops, surrender will unfold naturally. The moment you surrender – all your worries, your desires will be taken care of by the universe.

External successes or failures won’t matter to you. You will just remain the witness to his Leela¹.

Question 03

I often read spiritual texts, watch talks, and listen to teachers. It gives me clarity and peace for a while, but after some time I feel stuck. Like I’m only consuming ideas instead of transforming.

How do I know when learning is helping me, and when it has quietly turned into a distraction from actual inner work?

Answer:

Daily meditation and contemplation is a must for every spiritual seeker.

Merely reading, watching or listening to spiritual knowledge is not enough. We must integrate the knowledge in our day to day life.

Easiest way to do so is by meditation and contemplation.

Every night before sleeping, contemplate on day’s events and learnings. Connect the dots.

For spiritual seekers, it often happens that the learning that happened via some article or video is the exact solution needed for one of the ongoing conflicts or dilemmas of life. By reflecting on our thoughts and contemplating on everything in the mind, we develop inner clarity.

For advanced practitioners, answers come even before questions arise.

(Note: Even inconsistent meditation is okay in the beginning. Consistency and depth grow naturally with time.)

Question 04

I’ve just started meditation and reading about spirituality. Sometimes I feel calm and positive, but other times I feel more confused, emotional, or sensitive than before.

Is spirituality supposed to make you feel peaceful all the time?
Or is something going wrong if things feel messier after starting?

Answer:

When you get into spirituality, emotional and psychological sensitivity and confusion is bound to happen.

When you turn inwards, you are bound to get in touch with past Samskaras². Past memories, emotional wounds, trauma can resurface. And as you contemplate on those, you may see those events happening again in the outside world. But it’s nothing to worry about. That’s how we rewire our brain to integrate new spiritual insight. That’s how we heal.

You may also become very receptive to energies of other people in the beginning of your spirituality. Practice Pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation everyday to learn to be present without absorbing energies of others.

Peace is the ultimate goal of spirituality. You won’t directly become peaceful. You will have to do a lot of inner work. You will gradually have to stop identifying with the mind. When the mind quiets down, God reveals Self.

God = Love = Peace = Contentment = Sat Chit Ananda³

That’s the reality, and also our ultimate destination.

Have a Question? Ask Nishit

1. Leela (or Lila) is a way of describing all reality, including the cosmos, as the outcome of creative play by the divine absolute (Brahman). ↩︎
2. Samskaras are the subtle mental impressions left by all thoughts, intentions and actions that an individual has ever experienced. ↩︎
3. Sat Chit Ananda (or Saccidānanda) is a Sanskrit term describing the ultimate reality. Our true nature is pure existence, consciousness, and bliss beyond time and limitations. Realizing it is knowing oneself as this infinite awareness, free from suffering. ↩︎