The Best Way to Boost Your Spiritual Growth

By Charles A. Francis

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.” ~ Buddha

Have you ever wondered if there was a way you could speed up your spiritual growth? Well, there is: it’s the mindfulness meditation retreat. I’m sure you know of some people who are so peaceful and serene that nothing seems to bother them. The secret of their spiritual maturity is actually quite simple. They’ve figured out what works, and they do it consistently.

Why the Slow Spiritual Growth?

The reason many of us have trouble with our spiritual growth is that we don’t avail ourselves of some simple tools that can be tremendously effective. In Buddhism, they have what is called the Noble Eightfold Path. If you’re not familiar with these principles, they are essentially basic practices that will help us achieve enlightenment, or freedom from suffering.

One of them is right effort, sometimes called right diligence. What it basically means is doing the things that will cultivate mindfulness, and doing them consistently. The problem many people have is that they’re diligent, but not necessarily using the most effective tools at their disposal. This is not surprising because there is so much confusion about what exactly mindfulness meditation is.

When it comes to getting the most from your meditation practice, it’s important to learn the proper techniques, and then apply them consistently. Anything less, and your spiritual development will be less than optimal.

The Power of the Mindfulness Meditation Retreat

Those who are spiritually advanced have discovered the power of the mindfulness meditation retreat. They have attended one, and realized that it not only takes their spirituality to a higher level, but also greatly enhances their meditation practice, so they continue making spiritual progress at a much faster pace when they return home. Then they make attending retreats part of their routine.

One reason the mindfulness meditation retreat is so effective is that it combines the instruction of proper mindfulness meditation techniques with the time necessary for applying them—that is, right effort. It is like a professional athlete training for his sport. He will excel much faster if he uses proper techniques, and practices diligently.

The Three Jewels: Your Sources of Spiritual Nourishment

There is also another reason for the retreat’s effectiveness. Mindfulness is more than simply awareness. It is a form of energy, the energy of consciousness. Each spiritual tradition has a different name for it. The Buddhists call it the energy of mindfulness, because it shines the light on reality. Mindfulness is the spiritual nourishment we need to awaken our higher consciousness.

Think about a time in your life when you felt some form of spiritual connection. It may have been when you were especially close to someone, or you may have had a profound spiritual experience. At the time, you probably gained some clarity in your life, felt more peaceful and secure, and felt a great sense of love. You may even have sensed a connection with a power much greater than yourself. That is the energy of mindfulness that we’re trying to cultivate through our mediation practice.

The major religions are similar in their approach to raising your spiritual energy. There are three main sources. In Buddhism, they’re called the Three Jewels:

• The Buddha: Our own True Nature, or spirit
• The Dharma: The spiritual principles that govern our existence
• The Sangha: The spiritual community that supports our practice

These sources of spiritual nourishment are vital to our development of mindfulness, and can significantly speed up our spiritual growth. By dwelling in them, we can transform our unwholesome thoughts and actions. We dwell in the Buddha by meditating; in the Dharma by studying the mindfulness practice; and in the Sangha by practicing with others.

In short, the mindfulness meditation retreat is so effective in speeding up your spiritual growth because you’re dwelling deeply in the Three Jewels the whole time you’re there.

A Higher Level of Inner Peace and Serenity

As you can see, you can dramatically speed up your spiritual growth when you apply the proper meditation techniques in a consistent manner. When your True Nature awakens, you can perform at a much higher level:

• You can think more clearly.
• You can see reality on a much deeper level.
• You will have greater control of your mind, body, and emotions.

Athletes refer to this state as “being in the zone.” In other words, we begin using the full power of our body and mind, including our subconscious. When we’re in the zone, we feel awake and at peace with the world. We also feel a great sense of love. Imagine the implications of functioning on a higher spiritual level:

• You will remain calm, even in stressful situations.
• Your relationships will improve significantly.
• You will overcome the wounds from your past.

Overall, you will be at peace with yourself and the world around you. You will know a level of happiness and serenity that you never thought possible. You will be in the zone more often.

If you are truly serious about your spiritual growth, and want to begin progressing at a faster pace, I would recommend you go on a mindfulness meditation retreat. I’ve seen people’s lives transformed in just a matter of days at the retreats I’ve attended. And once you experience the full power of the retreat for yourself, then you too will make it part of your routine.

Best wishes on your spiritual journey!

If you enjoyed this article, sign up below for the Blooming Lotus Newsletter and we’ll notify you when the next article is released: