Chasing Spiritual Highs

The human condition is such that the mind keeps trying to escape it, wanting to die while staying alive. Of course, there are the usual suspects such as substance abuse, television, social media and various other distractions. But there is another subtle kind, which often attacks the spiritual seeker. The one who thinks they know it all and is way above all of it.

Chasing the next experience that will make you feel “soul vibrations”, an emotional release of some sort or a feeling of oneness and merging with the divine. This could be through various spiritual practices like yoga, meditation breathwork. Or excessively “TRYING” to be present. While of course these are beautiful states that must be cherished when we are gifted with it, it is important to catch ourselves when we begin to crave it.

Why are we so caught up in the craving? What is wrong with this very present moment? Is it so unbearable that you just want something to distract yourself from it? Why is it that you think you should constantly be “high”? How does this condition make you different from a drug addict who keeps chasing highs through chemical substances?

I personally came across this conundrum many many times in my journey and quite frankly, still do sometimes. Telling myself things like: “If only I can meditate enough, this darkness will go away and I will feel only the light.”

Honestly, in my experience - overdoing it makes you feel uptight and completely disconnected from feeling relaxed and “flowy”. Which is quite a paradox since flow was what I was trying to achieve in the first place.

This probably happens because we end up increasing awareness and bringing so much of the personal/collective shadow to the surface without giving enough time and space to integrate it.

It then becomes even more similar to using drugs - each meditation session becomes less and less effective. We think we should do more but maybe we just need to pause.

So what then is the solution?

It’s important to remember that our nerves are living entities that are affected by multiple factors. The environment, time of the year, personal circumstances as well as aspects such as the moon cycle and eclipses.

Most of us respect our bodies need for sleep, shelter and food. So why not respect the nerves for functioning as they should - giving us feedback about our environment and our lives.

If we attempt to constantly keep it wired up at a high, how then can we pick up on the subtle messages it is trying to send to us through various fluctuations?

Like everything in life - balance is essential. For example: meditate. Then go for a walk. Or even better - indulge in something “worldly” like watching a movie or attending a social event.

While I don’t think adhering to strict discipline is necessary in this regard. However, bringing in the opposites in an inspired and conscious manner could make all the difference.