Spiritually selfishness is key to personal growth

Being spiritually selfish can mean different things to different people, but generally, it refers to the idea of putting your own spiritual growth and well-being first.

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

I experienced stress, anxiety, and depression following business setbacks. It was a challenging period in my life. However, after reading informative content and listening to videos of spiritual leaders, I came to realize that while pain is unavoidable, suffering is optional. This simple understanding has had a profound impact on my life. I learned that the key to avoiding suffering is to practice spirituality in a balanced way, balancing being selfish and selfless.

I want to share with you some small yet impactful activities that I personally do to improve my well-being. These activities can bring positive changes to your life as well.

Prioritize your spiritual practice

• Schedule a regular time each day or week for your spiritual practice, and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
• Experiment with different spiritual practices and find one that speaks to you, whether it’s meditation, prayer, journaling, yoga, or something else.
• Set up a designated space for your spiritual practice, and make it as comfortable and peaceful as possible. This can include candles, incense, music, or anything else that makes you feel calm and centered.
• Treat your spiritual practice as a priority, and don’t let other things get in the way of your dedicated time.
• Stick to your schedule and make your spiritual practice a consistent part of your daily routine. It might take a while to form a habit but with consistency, it will become a natural part of your day.
• Reflect on your spiritual practice and how it’s impacting your life. Take note of any positive changes you’ve experienced, and use this as motivation to continue your practice.

Take care of your physical and emotional well-being: Spirituality is not just about the mind, it’s also about the body and emotions. Engage in self-care practices such as exercise, healthy eating, and managing stress.

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
• Get regular exercise, aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
• Get enough sleep, aiming for 7–9 hours per night.
• Manage stress through activities such as yoga, meditation, or journaling.
• Maintain social connections through regular communication with friends and family.
• Seek professional help if you are struggling with mental health issues or have a chronic medical condition.
• Regularly visit a healthcare provider for check-ups and screenings.
• Avoid risky behaviors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use.
• Take care of personal hygiene, such as brushing your teeth and washing your hands regularly.
• Practice mindfulness and be present in the moment, focus on the present and not the past or future.

Listen to your intuition: Trust your inner wisdom and listen to your intuition when making decisions. This will help you to stay true to yourself and your spiritual path.

• Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed, and take a few deep breaths to calm your mind.
• Pay attention to any physical sensations or emotions that arise.
• Formulate a question or problem in your mind, and then listen for the answer that comes to you.
• Trust the feelings or impressions that come to you, even if they don’t make logical sense.
• Keep a journal of your intuition and reflect on any patterns or themes that emerge over time.
• Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can help you to quiet your mind, listen to your intuition, and be more present in the moment.
• Be attentive to the voice within, which is the innate wise voice that speaks to us in the quiet of our hearts.

Cultivate self-awareness: Be mindful of your thoughts, emotions and actions. This will help you to identify patterns of behavior that are not aligned with your values or spiritual beliefs, and make changes as needed.

• Reflect on your thoughts and emotions: Take time to journal or meditate on your thoughts and emotions, and try to identify patterns or themes.
• Observe your behavior: Pay attention to your actions and reactions, and try to understand the motivations behind them.
• Seek feedback from others: Ask for honest feedback from friends, family, or a therapist, and be open to hearing their perspectives on your behavior.
• Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, and journaling can help you to be more present in the moment and aware of your thoughts and emotions.
• Get to know your values: Understand what you stand for and what matters to you, which will help you to make more authentic decisions and stay true to yourself.
• Try new things: Step out of your comfort zone and try new activities, which can give you a fresh perspective on yourself and the world around you.
• Be open to learning: Be open to learning new things, even if it challenges your current understanding of yourself.

Surround yourself with supportive people: Surround yourself with people who support your spiritual growth and encourage you to be the best version of yourself.

• Take stock of the people you currently have in your life and assess who is supportive and who is not.
• Join clubs, groups, or organizations that align with your interests, values, and goals.
• Be open to meeting new people, whether it’s through social events, classes, or online communities.
• Be clear and open with the people in your life about what you need from them in terms of support and encouragement.
• Consider seeking out a therapist or counselor, who can provide you with a safe and supportive space to work through any issues you may be facing.
• Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people, people who will lift you up, rather than bring you down.
• Be selective about the people you let into your inner circle, and be willing to let go of relationships that are toxic or draining.
• Show gratitude to the people who support you, and make sure to return the favor when they need it.

Learn to say no: Learn to set boundaries and say no to things that do not align with your spiritual values or goals.

• Understand your reasons for saying “no”: Take the time to understand why you are saying “no” and what you need in that moment.
• Use “I” statements and be direct and clear when saying “no”, for example, “I can’t commit to that, but thank you for thinking of me.”
• If possible, offer an alternative solution or suggestion to the request.
• Once you’ve said “no”, stick to your decision and don’t give in to pressure or guilt.
• Practice saying “no” in situations that have lower stakes to get comfortable with the word.
• Be prepared for the possibility of pushback or resistance, and have responses ready to assert your boundaries.
• Always be respectful and kind when saying “no” even if the other person is not respectful or understanding in return.
• Remember your limits and that it’s okay to say “no” when something is not within them.