Often, spiritual development means interest in Eastern teachings, sometimes one's own attempts to learn in practice some eternal truths or adherence to religious doctrines. And what is spiritual development? And how to determine whether you are on the path of spiritual development or not?
Probably no one will argue that development is a positively colored concept. If a person develops in some area, he is more respected, at least he has a goal in front of him, and he strives to achieve it. If a business or any other business develops, then there is a prospect and interest arises in it.
What does it mean to develop spiritually? There are several criteria by which one can assess how much someone is on the path of spiritual development.
Having a teacher giving knowledge
Development presupposes that today we possessed one volume of knowledge, tomorrow more. This means that we always do not know something and understand that there are people who know and can do more, and we are ready to learn the art of life from them.
If we are talking about spiritual development, this means that we gain knowledge about the structure of the world, the relationship between man, society and God, about the purpose of man's existence and about many other things.
If someone claims that he has already understood everything in this life and speaks only about his understanding, he is definitely not on the path of spiritual development. Sometimes even people who have chosen the profession of a spiritual mentor or priest do not actually follow the path of spiritual development on their own, because they believe that they have already learned everything about spirituality and are simply teaching others.
The presence of a teacher, with whom the understanding of the laws of this world and oneself is constantly expanding, suggests that a person is developing in a spiritual direction.
Increased wisdom
If a person only receives knowledge without using it in life, then such knowledge becomes theoretical and does not develop a person. In this case, knowledge accumulates as a dead weight and does not change life itself. A person makes the same mistakes and faces the same situations without learning life lessons. Also, the qualities of character do not change, for example, his irritability, jealousy and other negative qualities do not decrease, but simply change the forms and ways of manifestation.
If a person develops spiritually, then the knowledge that he receives changes his life - he looks at many things differently, reacts differently, performs other actions. There is such a quality as wisdom, the ability to respond flexibly in different situations and see deeper meanings.
If a person after many years of "spiritual development" remains as primitive and flat as he was at the beginning, most likely they are going in the wrong direction.
Changing the practical side of life
Spiritual development should radically change a person's worldview. His understanding of any situations that happen to him is greatly expanding. Many serious problems and contradictions that seemed insurmountable become small and easy to change. Therefore, the life of a person who has really taken the path of spiritual development changes very strongly in a positive direction.
This can be manifested in the fact that he solves many problems that he could not solve before, becomes successful in many areas, builds relationships in the family, if there were difficulties in it, or creates a harmonious family, etc.
After some limited period of troubles that may arise, in the end, life becomes better, more positive and brighter than it was before.
So, you can easily determine whether a person is really on the path of spiritual development, if you observe him and his life for some time. Usually, serious changes become noticeable after several years of intensive work on oneself.
