The Challenge of Balancing Spirituality and Indulgence

https://spiritualseek.online/blog/the-challenge-of-balancing-spirituality-and-indulgence/------It is a common assumption that in order to be considered “spiritual”, one must adhere to a strict set of principles and practices. If the objective is to achieve ascension or enlightenment, it is clear that a high level of commitment and discipline is required.However, what about those who are simply seeking a happier and more fulfilling life through spirituality? One might inquire whether the same degree of discipline should be applied. The value placed on discipline in our society is considerable; however, it is not clear whether this value is beneficial or detrimental. At what point does the application of discipline result in a net negative outcome?It is a fallacious argument to suggest that one must adhere to a vegetarian diet in order to pursue spiritual growth. It is unclear where the assertion that one can only listen to relaxing music if one is spiritual is documented. A few weeks ago, I was informed by an acquaintance that they are currently abstaining from all forms of sugar due to their newly adopted spiritual beliefs. I inquired as to the rationale behind the zero-sugar intake, given the individual’s spiritual pursuits. The response I received was somewhat perplexing, as though I had not asked a reasonable question. I did not receive a response, as the individual turned away to engage in a conversation with another person, thereby terminating the interaction.During the same week, I took part in a group meditation session on the topic of “indulgences”. In the meditation, participants were instructed to identify an indulgence they engage in. As one might expect, a plethora of potential indulgences came to mind, including reading a good novel, eating a bag of chips, drinking a glass of wine, enjoying a cup of coffee, and consuming chocolate. The list is quite extensive. The mere recollection of this experience elicited a smile. It is the seemingly insignificant aspects of life that can evoke a profound sense of joy.While I was engaged in the act of smiling and experiencing a general sense of well-being, the meditation underwent a notable transition. I was abruptly prompted to envision myself overindulging in my chosen “indulgence”. To illustrate, if chocolate is the chosen indulgence, the individual is encouraged to consume a substantial quantity of the item in question. At this juncture, I began to experience some difficulty in maintaining my focus during the meditation. I permit myself a number of indulgences on the basis that life should be enjoyed. Furthermore, I have found from personal experience that when I allow myself these indulgences and feel positive about them, I never feel the need to overindulge.Ultimately, I opted to cease involvement in this specific meditation practice due to my preference not to engage in the visualization of excessive indulgence. It was not a practice that I found to be in alignment with my personal values and sensibilities. Nevertheless, a meditation of this nature may prove beneficial for those struggling with a genuine addiction, particularly if the individual is unable to cease their excessive consumption. The key term here is “over” indulging. There is a significant distinction between a life-enhancing indulgence and a harmful overindulgence.It is crucial to comprehend that a perspective which deems all indulgences to be detrimental is an inherently imbalanced approach to...