How to Be Spiritual When the World is Going Mad

ByMetaphysical Mama January 21, 2021July 4, 2023

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Right now a lot of people are talking about spiritual growth and being on a spiritual journey. It is easy to say you are spiritual, but it can be much more difficult to practice it, especially when the world seems to be going mad.

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Watching as the World Goes Mad

The past year has been a roller coaster ride for the entire world. Natural disasters, a pandemic, police violence, race riots and political upheaval, to name but a few. It has definitely been a difficult time for all of humanity.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we were all witness to incredible acts of kindness and generosity. People helping each other and standing side by side. Slogans like “we are in this together,” were everywhere. People talked about self-care and gratitude. Looking for good news where ever they could find it.

As time went on though, people began to get frustrated and sick of the new normal. They began lashing out at each other.

What Happened to People?

Conspiracy theories began flooding social media and it has become difficult to sort truth from fiction.

People began to protest staying home, wearing masks, and social distancing, claiming it is an affront to their freedom.

Some believe the virus isn’t real. Others believe it is no more than severe than the flu, and still others feel that because they are not in a high risk group the rules shouldn’t apply to them.

People who believe the virus is real and are following the rules are immediately called sheep and attacked for it on social media. On the other hand, anyone who believes we need to take a closer look at what’s going on, is called a crazy conspiracy theorist.

We have witnessed race riots and acts of violence that will stain humanity for years to come.

We’ve watched as some governments get it right and others fail spectacularly.

We have seen government officials break their own rules and then claim that they didn’t think it would be a big deal.

In the United States we all witnessed Trump supporters storm the Capital Building in an attempt to overturn election results.

Friends and families have been torn apart based on these differing beliefs. How many times have you seen someone post on social media “If you believe (blank) just unfriend me right now?”

This behaviour is present everywhere. No one is immune. I’ve seen people attacking each other over the internet, including spiritual groups, because of differing opinions. Families have been torn apart.

The term “Covid Fatigue” has been thrown around as an excuse for peoples behaviour, but is that really a good enough excuse?

police in riot gear Spiritual — We have witnessed race riots and acts of violence that will stain humanity for years to come.

Why Are We Acting This Way?

So why are people acting like this? The short answer is fear. Fear brings out the worst in all of us and right now there is no shortage of it. Fear of a worldwide pandemic, fear of the cure, fear of governments overstepping their bounds, fear of violence and fear of the unknown.

People need a villain. They need someone to blame for the bad things that happen. For some, it is the only way they can cope with everything that is happening around them. The only way to feel in control in an uncontrollable situation. However, instead of dealing with the fear, they turn it to anger and eventually hatred. They lash out at people to ease their own fear.

If fear and Anxiety over the Coronavirus are overwhelming you check out Gabby Bernstein’s Spiritual Tools to Relieve Anxiety About the Coronavirus.

How Can We Be More Spiritual?

I have even caught myself reading things on social media, thinking “what the hell is wrong with these people?” It’s hard when we see others believing and promoting things we just can’t fathom. This is how religious wars begin. Us against Them. But there is never a winner in these scenarios.

When I find myself getting caught up in the Us against Them thinking, I step back and remember the spiritual principles that I try to live by.

Although spirituality means different things to different people, some spiritual beliefs tend to be more widely excepted. Some of the ones I use to guide my life are:

Be your best self
Don’t judge others
Practice forgiveness
Do unto others as you would have done unto you/ Harm none
Choose to be kind
We are all one with the Universe

Spiritual Principles

Be the Best Version of Yourself

Being spiritual is a journey. A journey not only to the Divine, but also a journey to self.

It is an opportunity to grow and become the best version of yourself. However, to do that you have to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on what you are doing.

This leads to the next principle, non-judgement.

Non-Judgement

If you want to do better and be more spiritual in these uncertain times, the first step is to practice non-judgement. To do that, it helps to become curious. Ask yourself “what led this person to believe that? How does that belief serve them? Does it make them feel safer? More in control? Less alone?”. By becoming curious, we can let go of the judgement and find some understanding and tolerance.

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Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a very misunderstood practice. Many people believe that if you forgive someone you are condoning their actions. This is not true! Forgiveness is not about admitting someone is right or wrong. In fact, it has nothing to do with the other person at all.

Forgiveness is about you. It is about letting go of the anger and moving on. It’s about moving past the feeling of hurt and anger that are a poison your life. When you forgive, you let go and move forward. Moving forward may or may not include the person whom you have forgiven. The important part of forgiveness is that you move forward.

Harm None/ Do Unto Others

There is a reason this is referred to as the Golden Rule. Nothing is more sacred than this spiritual principle. To treat others with respect and care, to harm none, is more than just a spiritual principle, it is an ethical one.

It is perhaps the most universally accepted spiritual and ethical tenet there is.

This rule of conduct tells us to think before we act, to use empathy and above all to do no harm.

What is considered harm? Anything that causes another pain, be it physical or emotional. If you wouldn’t want someone to treat you that way, then don’t do it to someone else. See? It’s simple.

Choose Kindness

For me, the most important spiritual tenet is to choose kindness. I know sometimes it can be hard, but to truly follow a spiritual path you have to make kindness a priority. Not just being kind to your friends and family or only the people you like. I mean being kind to every living thing. Being kind to people we don’t see eye to eye with, treating animals with kindness, and even taking care of the planet.

Whether you agree with someone or not, can you still show them kindness? Can you see them as a human being that is just as worthy of love as any other human being? We all deserve kindness.

holding hands how to be spiritual when the world is going mad — Kindness costs us nothing

I’m not saying we should condone bad behaviour. People who are violent and intentionally going out and hurting others need to be stopped. In most cases, however, those are not the people we are lashing out at. We are lashing out at people who don’t share our opinions. Whether we share the same beliefs or not, can we find it within ourselves to show a little bit of kindness?

We Are One With the Universe

We are all connected, one with everything that is. Small pieces of the whole. Or as Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Enlightenment is when a wave realizes it is the ocean.”

We are all one! So, if that is true, then how can we judge or hate others? It is like hating your hand because it is not your leg. Imagine if every part of your body was made exactly like your right leg. You wouldn’t work.

Person silhouetted in front of stars spiritual

If every part of the Universe was exactly alike, it too wouldn’t work. There would be no forward motion, no innovation, no expansion. Eventually the Universe would wither and die.

So when you feel fearful of something or someone who is different, remember they are a part of the Universe and therefore a part of you. They have their own unique and divine purpose and are made perfectly to fulfill that purpose, just as you are made perfectly to fulfill yours.

Choosing Spirituality Even When It’s Hard

Choosing to be spiritual is not always easy. It is especially difficult when we see people doing things we believe wrong and/or dangerous.

Choosing to be spiritual does not mean we are excusing bad behaviour. It means that we are choosing to model better behaviour. My parents always told me “two wrongs don’t make a right.” I still believe this. I also believe that we need to be the change we want to see in the world. Lead by example.

Want to know more about spirituality read my post A Beginner’s Guide to Creating a Spiritual Practice.

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