Spiritual evolution

This article was inspired by a recent conversation the author had with a friend. The author and his friend discussed spiritual 'evolution' or 'growth' - the process we undergo from suffering to lasting peace and happiness.

But, how exactly do we grow or evolve spiritually? How does this spiritual growth happen? Can we really say that there is a separate self, growing and evolving? Or, can we say that there is an evolution in consciousness?

The author felt it is worth writing an article about it and hearing the opinions of the readers too. Please feel free to share any thoughts in the comment section below. 

Before we proceed, the author wants to acknowledge that this is a very vast topic. The intention of this very short and simple article is just to open the door to consideration.

No Agenda

For the sake of this article, we want to make sure that we are talking about the same 'thing'. In this article, when we use the word 'consciousness' we are referring to our 'I Am-ness' or our 'Being'. In religious language, we are referring to Shiva, the Atman, or God. Simply said, we are talking about ourSelf. Our True Nature. 

So, speaking of a spiritual evolution, or an evolution in consciousness, we can explore the following questions.

Can consciousness evolve? Or, is the appearance in consciousness (the world or maya) only having an apparent agenda and evolution? Consider the screen and the movie on the screen. Does the screen itself have a plot, or is the plot only happening in the movie, which appears on the screen?

We can ask this in a more relatable way. Does our 'I Am-ness' or True Nature ever change? Appearances and sensations change, thoughts come and go, but we do not. 

No foundation

See, consciousness cannot really evolve, can it? Consciousness has no agenda, no desire. Consciousness is already fulfilled and does not need anything.

So, what is evolution? To who or what does it apply? 
We may even say that the world or the universe is evolving.

However, the appearance of the world has no foundation or beginning. Where would it evolve from, and what would it evolve into?

One 'hint' we can consider, is our dreams. When we wake up, we do not try to understand how the dream world came into existence and where it was heading towards. We do not wonder who created the dream characters, who planted the trees in the dream, etc.

We know that it does not exist. The story in the dream didn't really happen. 

Already fulfilled

Taking all of the above into consideration, let's consider our spiritual path and growth.

Do we really evolve into anything? Instead of a process of evolving, is it not rather a process of dissolving? Dissolving ignorance and concepts of separation.

Realizing our True Nature, we realize that it was always here, it does not have to be attained or evolved into. We realize that pure consciousness is who we have always been. The 'I Am-ness' we know so well. Ever-present and peaceful. We are That. 

Through our 'spiritual awakening', or through investigating who we are, layers of conditioning are being peeled away. The veil of ignorance is lifted. We drop the concepts, beliefs, and identities, and simply acknowledge what is. We peacefully remain as consciousness.

In space, trees grow, mountains form, but the space itself remains untouched.

Related articles on this blog:

Our own death - 20 October 2021
Life as an ocean - 21 November 2021
Life as a movie - 25 November 2021