Brad4d Savasana Beth

Many times we feel hopeless, and we’re desperate to have God throw us a bone. Rather than abandon our faith or become cynical, we ask ourselves how we might have stepped off our spiritual path. It might be areas in our life that we haven’t given to God, or it might be ways we’re letting our vices blind us from experiencing God. This passage from Padre Pio is a plea for God to stay with us in the midst of our willful abandonment.

Our patterns and routines may give us comfort, but they will often keep us stuck. This can cause us pain when things change. Rather than remaining fixed on our patterns, it helps to step outside our comfort zone to experience something new. Oftentimes, we meet reminders that there is an abundance of joy in this world.

How often do we look to others to help us form an opinion? How often do we project our own faults onto others? Self-awareness is a huge part of the spiritual journey. We recognize how every moment the ego (or the false self) blinds our perception. If we don’t see clearly, we can’t make good choices that benefit humanity.

Ever feel depleted of your energy after an argument? Emotions like rage and grief can suck the life out of you. The yoga tradition calls it “prana.” You breathe in new prana every moment, and it’s important to keep this life force balanced throughout the day. Otherwise, you might find yourself continually depleted.

Social media feeds are rampant with efforts of “Look at me.” We want to be seen or heard—sometimes we demand it. Yet this mindset contradicts most spiritual traditions, which teach us the value of humility. While Jesus teaches us that who is first will be last, we continue to demand being first. Being first or being obsessed with winning never brings inner peace. When we practice humility, we recognize the impermanence of situations and have gratitude for the gifts in the moment.

Social media, entertainment media, and certainly the advertising industry perpetuates the idea of “more” and “better.” That tells us we should find ways to stand out, “be seen,” “be heard,” and “speak your truth.” That won’t bring you much meaning and purpose in your life. It only gets you stuck in the perpetual chase. When you approach midlife, you realize that the chase never brought you joy, let alone meaning and purpose. Unfortunately, ways to find meaning and purpose only exist in the periphery because they aren’t about consumerism or materialism. They aren’t about show. Instead, they are about those quiet moments when no one is watching.