Spirituality and Self-Improvement

How is Spirituality Related to Self-Improvement?

The deeper we look into nature, the more we recognize that it is full of life, and the more profoundly we know that all life is sacred and that we are united with all life that is in nature. Man can no longer live his life for himself alone. We realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all this life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe. – Albert Schweitzer

In a nutshell, consciousness makes us spiritual beings. So, it is within us to use our gift of self-reflection to examine our lives and to improve ourselves. That’s really special. As far as we know, we are the only species that can effectively engage in self-improvement. To me, then, improving ourselves through self-examination is the highest spiritual endeavor that we can engage in. This includes trying to better ourselves and to help others better themselves. Honing one’s spirituality is the result of developing one’s self and helping others to reach their goals. In brief, then, the highest spiritual calling is to build one’s character and to continually strive toward self-actualization. The lifelong process of learning how to become a truly good human being is the essence of spirituality.

Improving oneself – becoming a better human being – is a spiritual process. It begins with looking inside oneself and facing what’s there. People talk about the human soul. I see the soul as one’s character – that which comprises and defines you. So, soul building equates to character building. The human condition – all the suffering and difficulty in life – may be necessary in order to build one’s character, to make us better human beings.

Spirituality involves helping others, being kind and honest. What more could a spiritual person ask for in life than to be at ease with who they are, be satisfied with one’s life, and be content that one has done his best to be a good human being?  The true test of character is what you do when no one is watching, not even God. To me, the highest form of character is doing the right thing, not because God is watching and judging you, but simply because it is the right thing. That is the highest moral road that we can travel. In other words, doing good without the promise of reward or threat of punishment if you don’t, or doing good simply for its own sake, is the basis for a new, higher form of spirituality.