The idea that we have to suffer or
live in poverty in order to be spiritual is an old one and can be found
in the belief systems of many philosophies. Most of us carry this idea
around subconsciously, and we may be holding ourselves back from
financial or emotional well-being, believing that this is what we must
do in order to be virtuous, spiritually awake, or feel less guilty for
the suffering of others.
While it's true that there can be a spiritual purpose to experiencing a
lack of material well-being, it is rarely intended to be a permanent or
lifelong experience. What we are meant to find when material or
emotional resources are in short supply is that there is more to our
lives than the physical realm. Intense relationships and material
abundance can distract us from the subtler realm of the spirit, so a
time of deficiency can be spiritually awakening. However, once we
recognize the realm of spirit, and remember to hold it at the center of
our lives, there is no reason to dwell in poverty or emotional
isolation. In fact, once our connection to spirit is fully intact, we
feel so compelled to share our abundance that lack becomes a thing of
the past.
If you find that you are experiencing suffering in some area of your
physical life, perhaps your spirit is asking you to look deeper in your
search for what you want. For example, if you want money so that you can
experience the feeling of security but money keeps eluding you, your
spirit may be asking you to understand that security is not to be found
through money. Security comes from an unshakable connection to your
soul. Once you make that connection, money will probably flow more
easily into your life. If relationships elude you, your spirit may be
calling you to recognize that the love you seek is not to be found in
another person. And yet, ironically, once you find the love, your true
love may very well appear. If you feel stuck in suffering to live a
spiritual life, try to spend some time writing about it. The root of the
problem will appear and it may not be what you expected. Remember, the
Universe wants you to be happy. (Daily OM)