Contemplation, Surrender and the Spiritual Path

Irum Naqvi

Spiritual for me has become “that which aligns” my physical, emotional and mental bodies. ​

So what is “that which aligns?'” Is it a blend of awareness, attention and clarity?  Can this “blend” allow me to know which of the bodies is causing an inner imbalance? The imbalance that moves me away from being centered. ​

I have accepted the impermanence of nature – that change and living life will go hand in hand. Yet when change happens it brings its own challenges. It has a feel of discomfort and it feels unknown. Any residual fear in my subconscious becomes heightened at this time.

So how does one ride this change, sometimes not even knowing where one will land? ​

In my inner scape, I begin to travel through introspection. I begin to look at the physical or the material body. This body is my physical manifestation into this life.  Through the material, I relate with others. Am I overindulging by not feeling content? Am I allowing the physical body the rest it needs?  The food it needs?  Is that food to satisfy a hunger to feed the body or is it misdirected to feed the emotions?  I begin to pay attention to effort and ease, to being rajasic versus being tamasic. ​

Through contemplation and through meditation, the center begins to appear as a reachable place or space.

I see my thoughts behind the action or inaction. The feelings and the residual emotions. Being able to turn my attention to breathing allows me to create a space between the incessant thinking and a subtle inner stillness. That inner stillness is like an oasis for the thirsty. My thirst is quenched in that stillness.

When the connection between the physical, mental, and emotional is recognized I find myself in a state of "trustful surrender". The spirit is alive and the spiritual journey becomes this journey of life and living. This spiritual path is then the pathway to live life.

Irum Naqvi