As it stands today, I am aware of four dimensions to our human experience: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

The physical part, we feed it with exercise, yoga, movement, and healthy diet. We feed our mental capacity through learning, reading, experiencing, interacting, and seeing the world. The emotional one is built on bonds we create with individuals around us and ourselves. The spiritual dimension is where our relationship with all thrives; it is our truest north star and where we connect to the other dimensions of our existence.

What is spirituality?

When we talk about spirituality, we are talking about something that is beyond the physical. We are talking about a connection to something greater than ourselves, something that gives our lives meaning and purpose.

For many people, spirituality is synonymous with religion. But religion is not the only way to experience spirituality. Spirituality can mean a lot of things in popular use and is often understood in a variety of ways by different people. Spirituality may include religious traditions that focus on belief in a higher power, and it can also include the holistic belief in one’s own connection with others and with the world at large.

Spirituality can be defined as a connection to the divine or our truest north star. However, spirituality means different things to different people and is viewed differently all over the world. Some people view spirituality as total negligence of tradition while others see it as dogmatic adherence.

It is important to find what spirituality means to you and how you can connect to it in your own way.

There is no right or wrong way to be spiritual. The important thing is that you are authentic in your journey and that you are true to yourself.

Spirituality is a very personal thing, and it means different things to different people. One of the ways to start honoring the various forms of spirituality is by learning about them.

The Cave

Before we dive deeper into this matter, I wish to make a quick mention of Plato’s allegory of the cave, which I reference a few times in my writings.

Plato’s allegory of the cave is a well-known story that highlights the ways in which we use our senses to engage the world around us and the importance of knowledge. In the story, a group of people are living in a cave and everything they know about life is within the cave. However, one person leaves and experiences life beyond the cave. When this person returns to the cave, they try to tell the others about the outside world, but no one believes them. This story emphasis a well-known pattern in our human behavior, those who don’t have knowledge can be skeptical or even dismissive.

The Cave’s Trauma

I find the following applicable to those who step out of the cave:

• Stepping out of the cave is a traumatic experience for all, even when guided. Knowledge may lessen the impact.
• It takes time to adjust and learn once out of the cave.
• It takes time to accept and surrender to the new truth or reality.
• Going back to the cave to share with others is part of the process.
• Those in the cave will always reject the new truth; it is a knee jerk reaction. They don’t know better.

What’s a spiritual vacuum?

Since I chose to use the cave analogy, I will continue to use it to discuss my thoughts on today’s spiritual dilemma.

Caves are cavities, and cavities can cause a lengthy list of problems. Ask a dentist!

We are experiencing a huge discrepancy in spirituality and its definition. The discrepancies exist due to the conflicting views of those inside the caves and the ones outside. Such collisions are bringing old mythical narratives to their resting places. However, we are having a challenging time finding a valid substitute, an inclusive one.

Furthermore, those who stepped out of the caves are entering the caves and bubbles of the next phase. Oh yes, each phase has its own caves. As the collective continues to step out of old caves and go through the different stages of such process, ideas will collide.

Our spiritual needs are not met.

Separation of State and Church!

The current vacuum was turned on long ago. The vacuum was plugged in the second we separated Church and State without a valid substitution. During such separation, the collective moved towards secular cities with social contracts as the basis. The social contracts governed the individual’s relationship with the institution and the collective; however, it left out so much more. We abandoned morals, values, ethics, and common sense.

We filled the vacuum with stifling air as we moved into the information age. In a way, we are still trying to figure out what is going on.

The spiritual vacuum is the result of our inability to connect with one another and ourselves. It is also the result of our unwillingness to have an honest conversation about spirituality without bias or judgment. This spiritual dilemma is not just a personal issue; it is a social issue. It is the result of our disconnection from one another.

Modern Plugs!

Today, the vacuum has more plugs than ever. Due to an influx of information, we suffered major disconnect from our elders. We lost our bonds as soon as we stepped out of the caves.

We are seeing and defining life and its experiences differently. We don’t see our neighboring countries as the enemy; we are able to chat, connect, and learn new things about their human experiences. We understand and reject the complacent ways of yesteryear.

We are willing to communicate; we are the birth of instant two-way communications. We are challenging the old ways of thinking and decision-making mechanisms. We are using new tools to inspect historical decisions and narratives.

It isn’t as easy to dehumanize others. That is progress.

Due to our interconnectedness, we are also aware of the great suffering in the world. We see people who are materially wealthy, but spiritually bankrupt. This creates a deep sense of longing within us – a longing for something more.

The problem is that we don’t know what that “more” is.

We are living in a time where we can have anything we want, but we are still unhappy. We have all the material possessions we could ever dream of, but we feel empty inside.

We are searching for something to fill the void, but we don’t know what that is.

Unlike the allegory of the cave, we have handheld devices that we can bring into caves. We don’t have to step out of the caves to know that there is a bigger and grander truth out there. There are many options available to us. We can explore different religions and spiritual practices. We can read books about spirituality and self-help. We can attend workshops and retreats.

A Collective Awakening

I think of my parents and their respective generations whenever I refer to older generations’ adaptability and their willingness to step outside of the cave as well. It may take time, but we are all capable of stepping out and ascending.

It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many others who have had similar experiences. And there are many resources available to help you on your journey.

The most important thing you can do is to keep moving forward. Trust your intuition and follow your heart. You will find your way.

The vacuum cannot be filled with air; it needs something more substantial, like water.

Water is essential for life. Just as we need water to live, we need spirituality to live. However, many of us have become dehydrated.

We can no longer afford to be disconnected from one another or ourselves. The time has come for us to fill the spiritual vacuum.

It’s time.