Pearl Nash
Have you ever thought about why some people seem to maintain a sense of peace and tranquility even when faced with life’s problems?
They always seem to be able to rise above temptations and live their lives in pursuit of enlightenment.
Chances are, they are spiritually minded people.
What exactly does it mean to be a spiritual person? What do they know about life that we don’t?
In this article, I’ll sum up the key ideas that spiritually minded people understand about life. Hopefully, by the end of this list, you’ll know what to focus on to cultivate a spiritual mindset.
Let’s dive in!
1) This world is temporary and there’s a higher spiritual realm
At its core, spirituality is believing in something beyond oneself.
Spiritually minded people have faith in what the universe has in store.
They know that our time on Earth is fleeting, merely a pit stop on the way to something larger and more incomprehensible than we can imagine – the spiritual realm.
Many people find a connection between spirituality and religion, but spirituality can also be pursued independently of religious beliefs or practices.
And regardless of the belief about doctrines and practices, the path to spirituality often involves the same things: a personal search for meaning, purpose, and inner peace.
In fact, some people identify as spiritual but not religious. This means they find fulfillment and connection through spirituality without subscribing to any specific religious doctrine.
So, how does one get started on such a path?
It’s pretty simple. A core principle of spirituality is that…
2) One’s inner nature must be renewed by setting their mind on things that are above
Because spirituality involves a belief in a higher force or Being, spiritually minded people understand where their focus must lie – on that higher power that’s bigger than them.
They know that the source of wisdom and peace comes from above.
Have you ever had those days when you felt drained and exhausted by the push and pull of life? Ever had mornings when you just wanted to hide under the covers and let the day pass by?
I used to find myself in such a state. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, my go-to solution was to either find a bar and have a drink or block out my problems by binge-watching TV shows.
Of course, none of these worked in the long run.
As soon as the buzz faded away, my problems were still there, and I still had no idea how to face them. I didn’t know how to clear my mind and renew it from the right source.
Thankfully, I now know better. As soon as I started on a spiritual path, I found myself feeling stronger and more at peace, better able to handle anything life throws at me.
This brings me to my next point…
3) Self-reflection and mindfulness are essential to growing spiritually
One of the first things I aimed for was to cultivate mindfulness and begin a meditative practice.
Why?
Because it’s impossible to gain a spiritual mindset without these practices.
Spiritual people know the importance of inner growth to spiritual growth. This means you must self-reflect regularly to examine your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions.
That way, you can gain insight into yourself and the world around you.
Why is this important?
Because being spiritual also means you believe that…
4) Everything we do and think is connected
This belief is one of the things that drives a spiritual person’s need for constant self-reflection and improvement.
Here’s the thing – spiritual people believe that there’s no such thing as random.
We are all connected, living things and non-living things, and even the universe as a whole.
Every action we take, big or small, can have far-reaching effects and impact other people, communities, and the world around us.
Do you see why mindfulness plays a huge role in a spiritual person’s life? When you think about the ripples your actions create, you’ll see it’s important to be careful and intentional with everything you do.
Now, I know that staying mindful and reflective is easier said than done.
If you want to take a page from a spiritual person’s playbook, here’s a great trick…
5) Setting spiritual goals sets us up for success
I think you’ll agree when I say that life has so many distractions that can keep us from maintaining a spiritual mindset.
So, how do you keep your eyes on the prize?
Sit down and make a list of your spiritual goals.
Yes, just as we make plans for our careers and finances, we should also set spiritual goals for ourselves.
Doing this can help you gain clarity of your life’s meaning and purpose.
When you’re intentional about improving yourself and connecting with a higher power, you’ll feel a shift in your thought patterns and reactions to upheavals.
Here are some examples of spiritual goals you can begin with:
- Practice gratitude
- Study spiritual teachings
- Meditate daily
- Spread kindness and practice empathy
- Let go of grudges and forgive
As you can see, spiritual goals don’t have to be complicated. You can start with small and attainable acts.
The point is to put them down on paper and make them “official.” Seeing your goal in concrete form helps you to prioritize it, much like a to-do list.
And you know what? The magical thing about it is that as you accomplish one goal, it becomes easier to tackle the next!
And pretty soon, just like spiritual people do, you will see that…
6) Life’s challenges and suffering are opportunities for spiritual growth
This is one of the most significant advantages of cultivating a spiritual mindset.
Many people view their problems from a “why me?” perspective. It’s easy to get trapped in a situation or way of thinking that leaves them bitter or angry.
Spiritually minded people rise above this type of thinking; they see challenges or “bad luck” as opportunities for learning and spiritual growth.
That’s why they can make sense of suffering in a way that non-spiritual people can’t. Again, this is connected to the principle that everything that happens in life has a reason.
7) Material things and the pleasures of life can distract from what matters most
As I mentioned earlier, life is filled with distractions that can keep us from connecting with our inner selves and tapping into a spiritual mindset.
Think about all the trappings that keep you occupied in this world – it could be material things like fancy cars, a big house, or a fabulous wardrobe.
It could also be an overindulgence in pleasures like food, drugs, and other things that make us feel good.
Now, I’m not saying it’s wrong to want nice things in life. After all, they do bring us a sense of pride and satisfaction in some ways.
However, it’s when you make the pursuit of these pleasures your life’s purpose that it becomes problematic.
Spiritual people do not necessarily ignore the physical world but view it instead as one aspect of a larger reality.
They believe that the material world is temporary and that true happiness comes from spiritual, rather than material, pursuits.
And you know what? We can all stand to learn a thing or two from them.
By focusing on spiritual things, we fix our eyes on a larger purpose that gives our lives more meaning.
And speaking of purpose, what exactly matters most?
Well, it’s this…
8) Love, compassion, and positive energy have the power to heal and transform
This is the bottom line of spirituality – love and compassion.
In fact, no matter what your religion or spiritual belief is, you’ll find that love is at its core.
Yes, spiritual practice begins with an exploration of the self, but that’s only because it’s necessary for you to understand yourself and see where you need to improve – in order to serve a higher calling.
And that calling is to love others and make a difference in their lives.
Which brings me to my last and absolutely critical point…
9) True spirituality requires action
Here’s the sad truth: many people who consider themselves spiritual focus on their own pursuit of knowledge relating to the spiritual path they’ve chosen.
Don’t get me wrong. That’s all well and good, but unfortunately, that’s where they stop.
And when you think about it, what good does all that knowledge do if you don’t see it in action?
For me, true spirituality expresses itself in genuine concern and a real desire to help others.
If you’re truly spiritually minded, you won’t need to be reminded to do that. It will naturally come out of you as the result of your deep and authentic spiritual practice.
Final thoughts
It’s no secret that life can knock down the best of us. When you feel down and lost, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of self-pity and misery.
Cultivating a spiritual mindset can get you out of that. It can give you peace of mind and help you clarify your thoughts.
When you have faith in and connection to something bigger than you, you’ll be able to see life from a different perspective. Ultimately, you can rise above the negativity and finally see your higher purpose.
