Spiritual growth isn’t about attaining but about unbecoming everything that isn’t you.
**Discovering Your True Self: Unbecoming to Become**
Imagine you are an artist starting with a raw block of marble. At first glance, it looks ordinary, unremarkable. But you know there's a masterpiece hidden within. The art of sculpting isn't about adding more material; it's about chipping away at the excess, the unnecessary parts, to reveal the beauty within.
Spiritual growth is very much like this process of sculpting. It's not about adding layers to yourself, accumulating accolades, knowledge, or possessions. It's about removing the layers that conceal your true self, those parts that society, experiences, and perhaps even you, have piled on over the years. It's about unbecoming everything that isn’t you to finally reveal who you truly are.
Think about the masks we wear every day. We all have them – the professional mask, the social mask, the family mask. Each mask is a role we play to fit into the various parts of our lives. These roles can sometimes feel comforting, like a second skin, but often they are a burden, hiding our true face, our true feelings. We spend so much time trying to be what others expect us to be, we forget who we really are.
Have you ever felt a sense of relief when you're finally alone, and you can let your guard down? That’s a glimpse of your true self, the person behind the masks. But even then, the layers of conditioning and expectations can obscure your vision of your own spirit. Spiritual growth, then, is about peeling back those layers, one by one.
Consider the analogy of a garden. When you first start gardening, the plot may be overgrown with weeds and wild plants. The goal isn’t to plant new seeds right away. First, you need to clear the ground. You need to pull out the weeds, remove the rocks, and till the soil. Only then can you start to see the potential of the garden. Similarly, your soul is a garden. Over time, it's become overgrown with the weeds of doubt, fear, and societal expectations. To grow spiritually, you must first clear away these weeds.
Sometimes this process of clearing away can be painful. You might uncover past traumas or confront uncomfortable truths about yourself. But just like pulling out a deep-rooted weed, it’s necessary for new growth. And as you clear away these negative elements, you make space for your true self to flourish.
Let's talk about the clutter we accumulate, both physical and mental. Think of your mind as a room filled with furniture. Over the years, you've added pieces – some useful, others not so much. There’s the old chair that’s uncomfortable but you keep it because it belonged to your grandparents. There’s the table you bought on impulse but never really liked. This clutter can make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable. Now, if you want to truly enjoy the space, you need to start getting rid of the unnecessary items. Spiritual growth works similarly. It's about decluttering your mind and soul. Removing the old beliefs that no longer serve you, letting go of past hurts, and clearing out the negativity. Only then can you create a peaceful, open space for your true self to emerge.
Imagine you’re on a journey through a dense forest. Your destination is a beautiful, serene clearing in the heart of the woods. But the path is overgrown, and you can’t see the way. To find the clearing, you need to cut through the underbrush, removing the obstacles that block your path. Every branch you cut away brings you closer to your destination. Your spiritual journey is much the same. Each negative thought or belief you release brings you closer to the peaceful clearing that is your true self.
In our society, there is immense pressure to achieve, to accumulate, to always strive for more. But what if the path to true fulfillment isn’t about gaining more, but shedding what weighs us down? It's a radical shift in perspective. Instead of constantly seeking external validation, we turn inward, seeking to understand and release what isn't truly us.
Think of a hot air balloon. To soar, it doesn’t need more fuel or more passengers. It needs to shed the sandbags holding it down. Once it does, it rises effortlessly. Similarly, by letting go of what isn’t truly you, you can rise to new heights in your spiritual journey.
Remember the joy of a child, unburdened by the complexities and expectations of adult life? They are closer to their true selves, free from the layers we accumulate as we grow. To reconnect with that joy, we must undo the conditioning, let go of the expectations, and return to our essence.
In summary, spiritual growth isn't about adding more to your life. It's about unbecoming everything that isn't truly you. It's about stripping away the falsehoods and masks, releasing the burdens and negative beliefs, to uncover the pure, untainted essence of your soul.
Now, ask yourself: What can you start letting go of today that isn’t truly you? What steps can you take to begin the process of unbecoming, to reveal the masterpiece hidden within? The journey to your true self begins with the first step of release.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
