The Journey Back: Understanding Spiritual Advancement

Spiritual advancement is often misconstrued as a forward journey, accomplished through extensive study and knowledge. However, personal experience reveals that true progress often involves stepping back, embracing silence, and trusting the divine. Let's delve into the transformative journey of spiritual advancement.

Why Spiritual Advancement is Not Just About Knowledge

Many well-intentioned individuals invest years in theological education, retreats, therapy, and clinical practices, hoping to achieve spiritual transformation. Yet, their journey often hits a roadblock. The realization often comes when one attempts to control or manipulate the divine, seeking what they want.

As a minister and spiritual health clinician, I spent nine years pursuing spiritual growth. After rigorous formal theological education, various therapies, and ongoing support for others, I hit an impasse. The key moment came when I began practicing Centering Prayer for 20 minutes twice daily, for a total of three months. After about three weeks, I understood that striving to control spiritual experiences hinders true progress. Instead, knowledge, even of the spiritual, can become an insurmountable barrier.

What Is True Spiritual Advancement?

Spiritual advancement isn't merely acquiring information or deepening one's understanding. While knowledge is valuable, it can become a mental obstacle if it is not complemented by stillness and silence. The ultimate goal of spiritual advancement—gaining experiential knowledge—requires a fundamental shift in mindset and practice.

The essence of spiritual advancement lies in growth, maturity, and humility. Those who feel spiritually ambitious often start with reading, studying, and answering questions. This is positive, but without the discipline to cultivate silence and solitude, such efforts can become mere distractions. Through consistent practice and a deep, reliable foundation of discipline, one can achieve true spiritual growth.

Key Steps for True Spiritual Advancement

1. Establishing a Daily Ritual of Silence

A consistent daily ritual of silence is crucial for spiritual advancement. Without redirecting your thoughts and feelings to silence, progress is unlikely. Set a timer each day at the same time and journal these moments on a 3x5 card. Encourage your loved ones to support your practice. Missing a day is not a failure; the goal is to compare this month with the next, measuring your progress over time.

Discipline is key, but remember that the divine is ultimately at work in this journey. Faith in the process and the value of solitude will help you gain experiential knowledge of the holy.

2. Reading and Reflecting on Meditation

Begin your practice of stillness, solitude, and meditation before delving into texts about them. This ensures that you can fully appreciate the wisdom and insights available in classic works like Thomas Merton's New Seeds of Contemplation, James Finley's writings, or Richard Foster's TheSpiritual disciplines.

Read these works while maintaining your meditation practice. The insights gained from meditation will enrich your understanding and help you clarify your spiritual journey.

3. Joining a Community of Contemplatives

Participating in a community that focuses on meditation and contemplative practice is essential. This is where values within the contemplative life can be sustained and deepened. Look for contemplative societies within your religious tradition or seek online communities. Contact the leader of your chosen group and express your enthusiasm. Attend meetings regularly and contribute to the community's activities.

Joining such a community will accelerate your spiritual advancement, as you are not alone in your journey. The collective experience of like-minded individuals can provide invaluable support and guidance.

Final Thoughts

Spiritual advancement is a journey that often feels backwards. It is not about accumulating information but about trusting the process and embracing silence. Defining it only in terms of knowledge can obscure its true meaning. Start with a consistent daily habit, deep meditation, and involvement in a spiritual community, and you will discover that silence can be the most powerful path towards spiritual transformation.

Best of luck as you embark on this transformative journey towards wholeness and balance.