Transforming Your Outlook

One of the rewards of spiritual practice is a changed outlook on life. With a spiritual focus, you start to look at life differently – you come to understand yourself and others in new ways and begin to see the order underlying all of creation. Below are some examples of the way in which your understanding and viewpoints may be transformed over time through consistent spiritual practice:

1. You become aware that you are part of the greater family of the Creator and that everyone you meet (whether or not you like them) is also part of the same family. You realize that we are all here on the same journey: the journey toward wholeness and the realization of the ultimate universal truths of existence.

2. You come to understand that what you do to another, you do to others; and that what you do to yourself, you also do to others. A visceral understanding of this law allows you to shift your motivation and behaviors towards a more loving and interconnected viewpoint.

3. You become aware that you are part of the Earth and that the Earth is sacred. You feel a connection with all living things and have a genuine desire to protect and preserve the natural beauty and bounty that has been entrusted into your care.

4. You respect other viewpoints and approaches, looking for “win-win” solutions instead of pursuing a strictly self-motivated or one-sided agenda.

5. You learn to live with a sense of the abiding presence of the Divine in everything.

6. You begin to drop your attachments to having things be a certain way or having others behave as you desire. You are able to accept events and conditions for what they are, trusting that somewhere in the great mystery of the universe, everything is working out for the highest good of all concerned.

7. You are able to overcome the sense of separation from Spirit and from others and begin to experience within yourself the unity of all that is.

8. You are motivated to lead a life of service. You feel within your innermost being a desire to make meaningful connections with others and to make a loving contribution to their lives. You obtain joy and satisfaction from fulfilling your life purpose by sharing your gifts and talents with the world.