Insights from My Indian Spiritual Pilgrimage

My recent travels in India far exceeded the realms of typical tourism. In fact,it was a very intense and enlightening spiritual pilgrimage. Throughout myjourney, I was continuously struck by the people, the aromas, the colors, the vibrations, the music, and the heavy energy of this magnificent country.

I'd like to share with you the essence of the discoveries which lead tomy transformation. Though some of it will be difficult to put into words, it's important for me to pass on what I learned to others.

India touched me on many levels. She even left her physical mark on me, when I cut my leg while taking a picture from the Ganga River.I'm convinced that Ganga the Mother has been with me ever since that moment.

Sweet Maria, my traveling companion, was a tremendous support to meas we both experienced emotional and spiritual transformations. If you everwish to embark on your own spiritual pilgrimage, India is a wonderful placeto experience a sort of personal renaissance. India, after all, is a celebration of both life and death. With its passionate peopleand their colorful views of spirituality, it's difficult not to believe that eachperson is living as if their karmic dream were reality.

The things that were revealed to me during my spiritual pilgrimage have lead me to ask somequestions about Western civil society. One of the most important questions is this:Why are we stuck in a pattern of self-destruction, despite our claims to having found a spiritual path? Here are some potential answers to this important question, answers that havebrought me a great deal of clarity.

1. We're quick to dismiss our dreams because we don't think they'll come true.Western culture is equipped with a belief system that's based on artifice, and fails to recognizethe pragmatism of bringing our dreams to fruition.

2. We don't give priority to the things that fulfill us. Most of us are unhappy in our careers, yet we stick to the daily grind out of what we believe is absolute necessity...and because it's simplyeasier than making a change. The path of least resistance is much easier to navigate than the road less traveled. We're paralyzed from fear of taking that road, which, althoughuncertain and mysterious, could lead us to a fulfilling place.

3. We believe that it's selfish to live out our dreams. The majority of us will never visualize our dreams as a practical componentof reality. We channel so much energy into our daily comings and goings thatwe fail to even acknowledge our dormant dreams that lie deep inside of us.The first step to making dreams reality is awaking them from their dormantstate and nourishing them until they play an active role in your life.

4. We are a lazy society. It's very easy to become resigned to your circumstances when your fear of changeand sacrifice is overwhelming to the point where it renders you immobile. But there is a fineline between fear and laziness. When you're simply not willingto make an effort to bring about change, you'll remain in your current situation.A refusal to take steps toward self-fulfillment will bring very little positive change to yourlife.

5. We believe our dreams are too costly. Many people have told me of their desire to go on a spiritual pilgrimage, but few of them actually make the journey in their lifetimes. If your idea of risk management means giving up the things that would bring you to a fulfilling place, what's the point of having and saving money?Better yet, what's the point of living?Settling for mediocre circumstances because it's easy and familiar meansnever knowing what it's like to have security of the spirit, as opposed to security of the wallet.

6. We continue to wait for our hard work to pay off. In the absence of enjoyment and dedication, hard work will never yield much of a return. The only work that actually pays off is work that's fueled by the energy of the heart.I call that energy passion. If you have the passion to fall in love with what you do, your work will always be fulfilling. If you can'tfind it within yourself to love your work, you must take that as your cue to make a change.

7. Our dreams just don't seem to fit into our overwhelming schedules. Why is it that in India, it seems there is time for everything, whereas here at home everyone is so involved in the chaos of daily life that wedon't take time to stop and pay attention to our dormant dreams.The pursuit of happiness, which happens to be one of the founding tenets ofthis country, is all about relinquishing what drags your life down and makingthe time for a spiritual pilgrimage that's uniquely yours.

8. We're scared to death.Our fears are camouflaged by our actions and thoughts. Fear of rejection, failure,relationships, and even the fear of being who you truly are meant to be---these are all obstacles that prevent the decision to make a spiritual pilgrimage, in whatever form it may take. Allowing fear to consume you means you're giving up your chance at a fulfilling life.

9. Our lack of self-love makes us believe we're undeserving of happiness. How easily we forget that it is our right as human beings to be happy. We deserve to be happy and we deserve to live your dreams. Without self-love, we repel so much joy that could be coming our way every single day. Convince yourself that you are worthy of self-investment and self-love.

10. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? If you're aware that your lifestyle will not bring you spiritual fulfillment, youprobably know that it will take effort and sacrifice to change directions.You have to muster this change from within. That said, don't be afraid to peer at your life through a magnifying glass---analyze your relationships, your career and your living situation. Then ask yourself if you're ready to make the changesand investments necessary for positive, progressive change. Waiting will onlymake it harder. Don't procrastinate when it comes to your happiness.

Open yourself up to possibilities of your dreams. Let go of self-imposed limitations. Rid yourself of anything in your life that has caused you to believe you cannot change.Most importantly, put yourself face-to-face with the one thing that is truly preventing your spiritual pilgrimage: YOU.