Is spirituality changing me?

As soon as one starts practicing spirituality people start expecting unexpected things out of him immediately. He comes under the spotlight of everyone, they start critically analysing his every word, every action, every step. They want to see the change. Those who are inquisitive they gather the answers in sober way from practitioner but those who are envious or against spirituality they start demotivating him saying it doesn't work, it's all myth, leave it, live normally etc. But serious practitioner knows how well and effectively spirituality changing him in various ways. In my personal case also I was challenged and questioned by circumstances and people to think and introspect the effect of spirituality in my own life. Following are some of the changes (which are more internal than external) observed in my own life.

My attitude to see the world
Previously I felt like whole world revolves around me and my desires. I thought world is meant to give me pleasure but later I understood that every single soul thinks in similar way, I am not the only one, everyone feels he is the enjoyer(although one may lack the capacity to enjoy fully). We are not the enjoyer the lord is enjoyer. World is Lord's creation to give a chance for a suffering soul to go back to spiritual world and not to make arrangements to stay here permanently. World is temporary place with temporary things even the body which we are having is perishable. By seeing transient nature of the world and enjoyment offered by it my confidence in eternal world described by scriptures is increasing day by day. But that doesn't mean I am running away from this world or became totally hopeless here or fed up with the world,no. While continuing our current responsibilities we all must desire to return to our eternal, blissful home. As Jesus says, the world is a bridge, pass over it, but built no houses upon it.

My behaviour and dealings with others
I am realising my bodily relationship with everyone is for limited time period then why not value it, respect it. I also started seeking at least something good in everyone. I am feeling becoming more sensitive to others including trees, birds and beasts because the understanding of 'part and parcel of supreme' which I have received from the scriptures. I try to see that same spark in all beings, thus I avoid hurting others physically, verbally or mentally.

My external habits and actions
Spirituality gave me many positive things to perform that automatically lead to decrease in unnecessary habits which consumed my lots of time. I started taking my every action as a duty or service to supreme which is making me more responsible in my job or work, everywhere.

My internal habits
I would think there is no difference between me and my mind. Whatever my mind would think I would take it as my opinions without resisting. My mind due to its conditionings would wander over many thoughts, most of the time nonsensical, and I would respond to those thoughts and feeling by fulfilling it. But later I understood from scripture that mind is fooling me, 'I are not my mind' and 'uncontrolled mind is worst of all enemies' etc. I learnt to neglect my mind and its demands that is actually satisfying me. In short I learned internal engineering, when to respond to mind and when to neglect it(art of discrimination).

My relationship with God
Raised as god fearing culturally after reading Gita I came to know about many aspects of God and one of those is that He is most merciful and loves all of us. His magnanimity attracted me. I came close to Krsna by reading, discussing and chanting about him which is giving me more confidence in him. Neophyte like me can experience his transcendental presence in the form of deity and devotees. I have lost my fear of 'God', now I am excited to see him, hear him, be with him and to talk to him!!

I have changed a lot(may not be physically) by practicing devotional life, why don't you give a try??

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa 
www.iskcondesiretree.com