A model for understanding your progress on a spiritual path
Jonathan McCracken
Stages of Spirituality
Disclaimer No one religion/spiritual path is better than another
“Stages” often implies a progressive superiority. In Spirituality, no one is
“better” than another.
Religion
a body of knowledge containing beliefs about the causality of the universeWhy are we here? Why must we live a “good life?
Spirituality
one’s personal experience with a higher power or value system (not necessarily “God” or “Gods”)
Goal of Spirituality
To attain greater awareness, peace of mind, or union with the higher powers or value
system
Peace of Mind
/Awaren
ess
Practice / Depth of Experience
Fear
Fear of being punished by the higher powers
Trust in the system of beliefs
Trust that everything will work out
Trust that you have what you need to move through this world
DevotionA commitment to going “deeper”
DedicationA tireless practitioner, does not give up easily when confronted with “double-binds”
Mentoring others in their spiritual paths
Surrender
The complete ‘giving up’ of the “me, myself, and I” (Ego)
Peace of Mind
/Awaren
ess
Practice / Depth of Experience
How to get there?
Practice
Practice
Practice