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The Spiritual Practice of Studying by Patsy Scala

We tend to think of a “spiritual practice” as something that takes place in a church, in the beauty of nature, in silent contemplation.  In fact, everything we do consciously, with mindfulness, awareness and intent, can be a spiritual practice.

Each month “The Springboard” will offer you a new “take” on some of the things we do every day.  And every time you visit our Emporium, you’ll find tools to help you make these practices your own.  This month, let’s look at the spiritual practice of  . . . studying.

It’s that time of year again—the time when children return to school, adults return to continuing education, and all of us feel the call—left over from our own school days—to learn something new.  September is a month to begin again.  We buy new clothes, new books, paper products and computer supplies.   

So here’s a question:  What do you plan to study now that September has rolled around? 

I came across a wonderful quote from the late Irish writer James Joyce:  “Mr. Duffy,” it says, “lived a short distance from his body.”  At first I laughed.  And then I didn’t.  I stopped laughing because I saw the ultimate truth in Joyce’s statement.  Most of us  tend to live more than a short distance from our bodies—and from our souls.  We live in our ego mind, that inevitably pulls us away from where we are in this place . . . here . . . now.  And it pulls us away from who we are as well. 

Our ego-mind drags us back to our fears from the past, projects us into an anxiety for the future . . .even as our bodies rest comfortably, safely and peacefully in the present moment.  Unlike the fictional Mr. Duffy, we often live miles away from our bodies. 

So here’s an idea:  Why not use this month of learning to study yourself?  Why not gain some deep self-knowledge even as we send the children off to school? 

How do we do this?  Well, for starters, Rudolf Steiner offers us this beautiful poetic piece of advice:

“We can only gain true self-knowledge
 by developing loving interest in others;                        
We can only gain true knowledge of the world                      
 by trying to understand our own being.” 

So as we begin to learn about our true selves, we start by taking a reverent look at the world—other people . . . nature . . . animals . . . the aging glory of Autumn’s painted beauty.  And we ask ourselves:  What speaks to me?  What really touches my soul about this person that I love?  What am I drawn to in nature? 

And we continue to question:  Why am I drawn to him? . . . or to her? . . . or to dogs rather than cats?  And what does this tell me about my inner self?  Do I have a gentle exterior with the soul of a lion?  Or am I lionine on the outside and meek within?   I find that it’s a good idea to explore questions such as these in a daily journal. 

And then, we settle into our bodies—and really notice them.  What does it feel like when we follow our breathing?  What does the cool sensation of inhalation feel like to us? . . . the warmth of exhalation?  And what does this tell us about our bodies?  Where does it hurt?  And when we imagine sending our breath to a part of our body that hurts, what happens?  What does it feel like when we take a walk in nature?  . . . of enter a yoga pose?  I’ve found the practice of yoga immensely helpful in an understanding of—and a presence within (not a short distance from) my body. 

And then let’s continue to study:  What’s missing from your life that you’ve always desired?  What’s present in your life that, like the leave falling from Autumn’s trees, you’d like to release?  Try the “Prescriptions” on our website.  This offers another means of knowing yourself. 

Life itself offers us an opportunity to learn who we are.  So as we begin our September preparations for new learning, let’s not forget the most important thing we could possibly come to know:  Ourselves.  Let’s make this September the month that we come to “Know Thyself.”