Today there is no exhaustive, unambiguous and final answer to the question of what spiritual development is. Why so? There are a lot of reasons - from the difference in religious beliefs to differences in the political and economic structure of a single country. Naturally, the individuality of each person and the historical path of society and society with its traditions, labels and prejudices also influence. But what to do?
Attempt to define
Although it is clear from the above that there can be no single answer, it is still necessary to outline some framework for further consideration of the issue. Spiritual development is a certain indicator of certain qualities of a single person that are associated with his ethics, inner world and morality. This is a sense of purpose, mission. The spiritual development of a person is inextricably linked with the degree of understanding of the universe, its integrity. BUTalso with the awareness of one's own responsibility for all the events taking place in life.
Movement towards self-improvement
Spiritual development is a process, it is a path. It should not be seen as a result or a line to be crossed. If this process is stopped, then the person will immediately begin to degrade, since the spiritual development of the individual cannot be paused. This movement from less to more is a process that has its own specific characteristics, like any other. These include speed, direction, magnitude of change. Really improve what can be measured in some way. This means that it is possible to qualitatively monitor the dynamics of development at different levels (or stages). How to navigate in a matter of direction? Very simple - you need to look at the result. If practice makes life better, easier, brighter and more interesting, if a person becomes kinder, more tolerant, there is harmony and peace inside him, he is on the right track. If a person experiences inspiration, joy, elation from the fact that his personality grows, becomes mature, morality improves, the ability to penetrate the essence of things increases, then his path is right.
Travel directions
Spiritual and moral development in today's society is achievable by different methods - alternative and traditional. What could it be? The spiritual development of the individual must begin with social and cultural activities. In addition to thismay be present: literature - the Bible, Koran, Vedas, Avesta, Tripitaka; spiritual personal practices - meditations, rituals, rituals, exercises; visiting holy places such as Mecca, Vatican, Tibet, Shaolin. As you can see, there are a huge number of options, and they are all individual. Perhaps the beginning of the spiritual path will be hatha yoga or the books of the Holy Fathers of the Church. You need to listen to yourself, your heart.
A little note
Life shows that a very deep delusion on such a path as spiritual development is the prevalence of external influence on the will, personality, body, mind, feelings and emotions of a person. These are only external, unimportant circumstances. At first they may play an important role, but as you progress, they should fade into the background or disappear altogether. True spirituality is born and grows from within. The world itself gives the practice certain signs, where to go next and how.
Need for companion and support
Any process is subject to certain laws. If there is any development, for example, a nuclear reaction, then it is subject to the laws of physics. The spiritual development of society is the values that are inherent in every person. On this path it is important to have an assistant, companion, partner. You should not be shy to discuss certain aspects with your soulmate or with a friend. If the interlocutors do not share the aspirations - it's okay. Just show an example. Naturally, qualitative growth and development will be noticeable, and there is a high probability that a partner (or friend) will be interestedas well as increasing their own level of spirituality. It is necessary to provide him with help and support so that the person feels confident and comfortable.
Development of personality or spirituality?
The word "personality" is a set of socially significant qualities (interests, needs, abilities, attitudes, moral convictions). In this case, we can say that personal development is work that is aimed at revealing individual characteristics, self-realization in society, self-manifestation. This is a man-made indicator. But what is spiritual development? In the truest sense of the word - the manifestation of the spirit in man and in the world. It turns out that this term may not be associated with the implementation in society at all. You can say "spiritual development of culture." But how does this concept apply to individuals? Naturally, you can combine the words and say "moral and spiritual development of the individual", but what is the difference between them and how significant is it?
Delimitations
Personal development is the process of effective realization of a person in society. In this case, the boundaries are set from the outside, that is, by society. The external environment stimulates action, and it also limits it. Personal development is the material side of human existence. This includes the desire to be successful, to make good money. But spiritual development is the search for internal boundaries, conditioned by oneself, the desire to meet with one's "I". However, there is no desire“become someone”, but there is a need to get answers to eternal questions: who am I, why am I, where did I come from? The spiritual development of a person is the process of understanding oneself, one's nature, one's masks, which do not depend on any external indicators and circumstances.
Difference in the way
Personal development always implies some kind of goal that must be achieved within a certain time frame. There is an end point, there is a starting point. That is why we can say that this is the "path of achievement." It is assumed that there is something outside that limits us, and it is overcoming this limitation that is the way to achieve what we want. And if there is an intangible goal, for example, to be happy? After all - this is an internal sensation, subjective. In personal development, it is replaced by certain material objects - a million dollars, marriage, and so on. If a certain goal is supposed to be striven for and achieved, then this is not spiritual development. After all, it comes from a completely different state - it is comprehension, search, experience, feeling, cognition of reality here and now.
Discovering oneself
Personal development needs someone, some kind of obstacle. You need to become better and more perfect than someone else. This is what is important and necessary. The spiritual development of the individual implies the discovery of oneself through the acceptance of oneself. A person begins to take an interest in himself, in what he already has. There is no desire to become "someone" different. This is an exclusively internal process, because nothing and no oneneeded, there is no need for support or approval. Inner knowledge, inner strength appears, various illusions about the surrounding reality and oneself disappear.
Attitude towards the future and present
Personal growth is completely and absolutely built on images of the future, on futuristic pictures. If we don’t have something now, then we must take some steps so that this “something” appears in the near future. We are focused on tomorrow and live it. The biggest problem in such a way of life and worldview is the depreciation of the present time, since in this version it is not of particular value. Spiritual development implies a completely different attitude to time - the absolute irrelevance of the past and future, because only the present exists, and only it is valuable. Attention is directed to awareness of the current moment of life. External situations only provide an incentive for exploration.
Availability of guarantees
Personal development cannot exist without any guarantees. Although it is clear that no one knows a 100% future in this ever-changing world, it is the illusion of security and stability that is important. In this case, everything becomes only a means, and freedom - the goal. Everything is perceived not as an ongoing event, but as a reward for work. The spiritual development of a person is devoid of any guarantees - it is a complete and absolute unknown. Everything is perceived as a process of comprehension, without subjective assessments.
Ideals
In personal development, there is always somethe ideal, the desire for it. Whether it's the perfect relationship, the search for the perfect job, the perfect life. This is necessary to feel the significance of yourself and your life. That is why in personal development they use such assessments as “good” and “bad”, “moral” and “immoral”, “moral” and “immoral”. There are no evaluative concepts in spiritual development, since any action has its own hidden meaning that needs to be known. There is no ideal, but there is a desire and aspiration to know the essence.
