if you really want to live a spiritual life then you are almost half way. because one thing which matters the most is the deep desire to grow inwardly.
if you are sincerely longing to grow spiritually then you will definitely get help from existence. here i am listing few tips which could be of help to you.
10 tips for going deep in spirituality:
1. choose the right city
every city has its own unique vibration and energy level. since you are living in the city, its energy sphere affects you. e.g. if goa the energy and lifestyle is very relaxed and lazy. and if you also go and stay in goa then you will also become kind of relaxed and chilled person. so i suggest to choose the right city. for yoga people rishikesh could be good, for shiva devotees benaras could be good, for shakti (devi) worshipper kolhapur, kolkata will be good, for people into meditation dharamshala could be good. so do some research and find the city which has a spiritual vibrations or where lot of people who are doing the same sadhana as you are doing are staying.
2. cook your own food
if you are not staying in ashram then its best to cook your own food. many monks and sadhus who spend time in isolation cook their own food. because the vibration of food is important specially when you are going deep in sadhana and in a very sensitive and fragile state. always eat food prepared by someone who is on spiritual path or of similar consciousness state as you are.
3. take care of your body
never ignore your body. always try to fulfill body needs because they are important. its good to include yoga or pranayam or any other good physical exercise like swimming in your lifestyle. it helps to keep the body fit. a healthy body is the right instrument for divine to sing its song. if you don’t have a healthy body then its very difficult to rise in spirituality. body is your best friend on the spiritual path. it always cooperates with you.
4. eat right diet and detox the body
eat healthy food. like lot of fruits, vegetables, salads and drink lot of water. grow some detoxing plants in your backyard like tulsi, mint, kadi patta (curry leaves), lemon grass, ginger etc because they help to clean your system. avoid alcohol and non-vegerarian food. many sadhaks also avoid onion and garlic.
5. connection with mother earth and nature
sleep on floor than on bed. if you have to sleep on bed then prefer wooden bed than wrought iron bed. avoid staying in multi-story flats and instead prefer row house or villa or a simple cottage. be in touch with earth as well as stay close to nature like plants, birds, river or ocean. savor the silence in these places.
6. spend time alone
if you are on spiritual path then you have to be on your own. it is to rediscover your true nature. its not about your self image or what other think about you. but it is all about finding ‘who am i‘. so spend time alone with yourself and look within. find your inner center. you can go to places close to nature like gardens, rivers, lakes, beaches and experience the silence there. or you can spend time with small kids. because with them you can be just yourself and you don’t need to pretend. doing all this lighten you up and takes away the seriousness. in spirituality one need to be sincere and not serious.
7. group energy
if you can find like minded people who are doing the same spiritual practice then it is really good. because in group energy 1+1 is not 2 but 11. e.g. in bhajan or kirtan (devotional singing) the group energy does wonders. same is true for meditation. so knowing like minded people helps. its good to spend time alone and at time it is good to practice sadhana with the group. but take care that none of them (group or aloneness) should become a trick of mind to avoid the inner journey.
8. be regular in your sadhana
no matter what happens, never skip your practice. always be sincere and regular in your sadhana. it is very difficult to climb the mountain but it is very easy to fall from the height. the higher you go, more easier it is to fall. so give your sadhana the most important priority in life.
9. make a spiritual journey
its good to visit holy places or ashrams which are related with your sadhana. its important to visit places where you can learn the right technique. look east (india, japan, sri lanka etc) if you want to grow inwardly.
10. read spiritual books
have a collection of good spiritual books in your home. you can also watch spiritual movies or videos to inspire yourself. do everything which can connect you with your inner self.