‘Adyashanti’: Exploring the Depths of Spirituality Beyond the Cycle of Self-Improvement

VIDEO LINK: The Cycle of the Conflicted Self (Excerpt)

In a recent video from the “Adyashanti” YouTube channel, the renowned spiritual teacher delves into the essence of spirituality and its relation to human consciousness. Adyashanti explores the profound nature of spiritual practice and its potential to transform one’s life experience.

The Authentic Call of Spirituality

Adyashanti begins by describing spirituality as a deep calling from within, originating from a greater part of our being. This calling seeks to navigate through the intricate layers of complexity created by the egoic mind. He emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the root of this spiritual impulse to prevent it from being hijacked by the agendas of the conflicted self.

The conflicted self, as Adyashanti explains, tends to seek quick answers and temporary fixes. Despite feeling deeply rooted, it actually represents a surface-level experience. However, its compelling nature exerts a psychological gravitational force that continuously pulls our attention.

The Power of Attention

A key aspect of spirituality, according to Adyashanti, is the conscious use of attention. He describes attention as our most prized commodity and the most crucial aspect of our being. Spiritual practices often revolve around the question of what we do with our consciousness, awareness, and attention.

Adyashanti points out that many people go through life without considering where they direct their attention. The gravitational force of the conflicted self can keep one’s attention captive, leading to an endless cycle of trying to solve one internal state of sorrow after another.

Breaking the Cycle of Suffering

The teacher draws a parallel between this cycle and the Buddhist concept of the wheel of samsara – a cyclic turning that doesn’t arrive at a destination. He suggests that authentic spirituality often emerges when individuals realize the cyclic nature of constantly working on themselves.

While acknowledging that self-improvement can be legitimate and necessary, Adyashanti cautions against keeping attention solely within that domain. He describes how people may come to spirituality after recognizing that there’s always “the next thing” to improve upon, leading to an endless project of self-improvement.

Freeing Attention for Deeper Exploration

The recognition of this cyclic nature, Adyashanti explains, can free up attention and allow for exploration of something deeper within ourselves. This shift enables consciousness to become available to dimensions beyond the endless project of self-improvement.

Adyashanti’s teachings offer a profound perspective on the nature of spirituality and its potential to transform one’s relationship with consciousness. His insights invite readers to reconsider where they direct their attention and to explore the deeper dimensions of their being.

For those interested in delving deeper into Adyashanti’s teachings, his book The Direct Way: Thirty Practices to Evoke Awakening offers practical guidance for spiritual exploration and self-discovery.