3 Powerful Signs You’re Ready to Dive Into Higher Levels of Spirituality

As a lifelong seeker and now mentor, I can see how ‘you’ are your best friend to the infinite wisdom.

Huike chopped off his arm to seek spiritual guidance.

Most people have never heard of him.

In the 5th or 6th century CE, a legendary Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, happened. Upon his guru’s request, he traveled from South India to China to spread Buddhism. He founded Zen Buddhism in China and is also called the Father of Martial Arts.

Legends say that upon arriving in a monastery in China, he faced the wall of the cave for nine years in intense meditation.

Learning about Bodhidharma, a seeker named Huike came to for guidance. Unfazed by Huike’s repeated requests, Bodhidharma remained unmoved. He faced the wall without flinching.

To show his dedication, Huike announced, “I’ll chop off my arm if you don’t turn.”

Still, Bodhidharma remained unaffected.

Finally, Huike took out his knife, chopped off his arm, and offered it to Bodhidharma. It was then Bodhidharma turned and accepted him as a disciple. Under his guidance, Huike became enlightened and later succeeded Bodhidharma.

Every time I hear this story, I’m in awe of this disciple. His level of dedication and sincerity is magnanimous.

He was willing to do the unthinkable to get guidance.

I was a seeker for two decades before I came in contact with my spiritual mentor. Within this period, I met many seekers.

Everybody talked about finding a perfect mentor. Nobody talked about being a genuine disciple. It is a myth that you can find your mentor. You cannot.

Why?

Because you can’t judge who is right for you.

But you can attract your perfect guidance by being an authentic seeker. The primary requisite is your surrender and thirst.

Existential crisis

You can’t lick and leave spirituality if you’re sincere.

Most people are stuck on the periphery because they don’t want to let go of themselves.

Spirituality is knowing what you really are. It can’t happen until you’re tied to what you already know.

Yes, it starts as a testing ground. But a phase comes when, for no reason, you convulse in inner pain.

On my journey, I clearly remember phases when I cried under the open sky. I held on to my heart tight while tears flowed. I could not breathe freely. Something choked my throat, belly, and heart.

My heart would pray, “Please reveal yourself. I can’t live like this.”

The intense pain of ‘not knowing’ was gobbling me from the inside. I knew, “I had to grow more in spirituality. I had to know. Otherwise, I’d suffocate. I don’t know how, but I just had to know what I’m.”

Don't get disheartened if you’re also going through this existential crisis.

It is a gift. It is a blessing that is pushing you towards your highest.

Your desperation may seem foolish to people. But it is intelligence that is calling you for your highest purpose. And nothing is higher than knowing who you really are.

As Ramana Maharshi says, “Your own self-realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”

You’ve become crazier for the world.

My friend shared, “My wife thinks I’ve gone nuts. My neighbors think I’ve gone mad. I used to interact cordially earlier. I’d go for drinks and parties. But now I’m just sitting there silently.”

I laughed hysterically and said, “That’s good. It means society is losing its grip on you.”

As you progress in your inner journey, people (bound in rigid patterns) will think you’re crazy. Your words are nonsense bickering to them.

If you lose people because you’re becoming more authentic, that is a sign you’re moving ahead. And if you continue to support yourself, you’ll jump faster out of this matrix.

The mind wants safety. But the heart needs freedom.

Absolute freedom is not in money, relations, or fame. It is when you become free from the concepts of you. This higher understanding comes when you dive deep within yourself.

You’re ready to die to find out the truth of life.

Death has a huge significance in Indian tradition. Many rituals accompany physical death to help the soul move forward.

But more than physical death, enlightened sages highly valued egoic death.

The soul is said to reincarnate based on karma and memories. But when someone enters egoic death, they break free from the endless reincarnations. Then, no memory or karma is formed.

Egoic death occurs when —

• The past does not touch you. Even if something happened five minutes ago, you are untouched by it.
• You become equanimous to every sorrow and happiness.
• You no longer remain the doer and become one with stillness.

This egoic death happens with grace. Grace happens when you go on emptying yourself.

During my spiritual journey, I had many peaks of spiritual thirst. I touched my last peak when I was ready to die for the vast knowledge of life. I’d lay in the pool of my tears and despair.

It was then that life opened its gates.

I somehow met an enlightened master. Under his direct guidance, pure life rushed towards me and opened its secrets.

Almost everyone fears death. But not a genuine seeker. They become ready to accept death as they advance in their spiritual journey.

Wisdom is always available.

Being a lifelong seeker and now a mentor, I have witnessed how wisdom is always available. The bliss, peace, and joy are not anywhere far. It is right here, right now, available to you.

The only barrier is ‘you. Ironically, the only way is also ‘you.’

You can't unfold what is right here until you’re attached to your beliefs and patterns. The whole process of emptying yourself is called spirituality.

Don’t get stuck at the peripheries. Don’t become disillusioned with fancy words or magic. The real secret is to go beyond the mind to experience the purity of each moment.

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