In the pursuit of spirituality, there’s a common emphasis on ascending to higher states of «holiness» or «consciousness», and «awakening» to a reality beyond the ordinary. While these goals are alluring, focusing exclusively on «rising» above life’s challenges often creates a fragmented approach to growth.

Authentic spiritual transformation does not come only from transcending but from fully embracing and integrating every part of ourselves – including our suffering, wounds, and limitations.

By reconnecting with the present moment, we see that genuine evolution requires facing our unresolved issues, exploring our shadows, and discovering the origin of our coping mechanisms and personality structures.

Through this deeper work, we find a more grounded and fulfilling form of spiritual growth.

The Problem with «Higher State» Spirituality

Many spiritual practices focus on achieving heightened states of awareness – meditative bliss, expansive oneness, or divine insight. These experiences provide glimpses of a larger reality and can be both inspiring and transformative. However, an overemphasis on such states can lead to a disconnect from the more grounded aspects of human experience, fostering a subtle avoidance of the «messier» parts of ourselves.

Focusing on elevated states without working through our shadows can make us feel like we’re «above» our emotions or struggles, leading to a kind of spiritual bypassing. Spiritual bypassing occurs when we use spiritual practices to avoid facing unresolved emotional pain, personal wounds, or relational issues. While we may temporarily feel relief or freedom, the underlying issues persist, subtly influencing our actions, reactions, and perceptions. Over time, this avoidance can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life, creating an illusion of progress while leaving us stuck in deeper layers of inner suffering.

True spiritual growth involves recognizing that we cannot only move upward; we must also delve inward and even downward, touching the depths of our own humanity.

When we reconnect with presence, embracing not only our light but also our pain, limitations, and woundedness, we gain a more complete understanding of who we are beyond the search for «higher» experiences. This is where true healing begins.

Reconnecting with Presence to Discover the Truth

The practice of presence – fully engaging with the current moment – serves as an antidote to the pitfalls of «higher state» spirituality. Presence calls us to drop any agendas, resistances, or attempts to escape and to simply be with what is. It is through this acceptance of the present moment that we begin to see ourselves more clearly, beyond the layers of personality and ego that we have constructed over the years.

By bringing awareness to our feelings, thoughts, and body sensations in the present, we start to notice our tendencies, triggers, and coping mechanisms:

• How do we react when we’re anxious?
• Where do we feel tension when we’re hurt?
• What emotions are we avoiding, and why?

In the practice of presence, these questions begin to unfold naturally, illuminating the subtle ways we protect ourselves from pain and attempt to manage our fears and insecurities.

As we allow ourselves to remain present with our discomfort, we start to recognize the truth of our suffering. This practice can be challenging, but it also opens the door to healing.

In the practice of presence, rather than resisting our pain or trying to overcome it, we learn to stay with it, to listen to it, and to understand what it has to teach us.

In doing so, we access a space beyond the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, beyond the masks we wear, and beyond the defenses we have erected. We come face-to-face with our humanity, and this is the essence of grounded spirituality.

Embracing Suffering, Limitation, and Woundedness

Spiritual growth requires that we embrace the full spectrum of our human experience, including the parts that are wounded, limited, and flawed. This does not mean wallowing in suffering or glorifying pain but acknowledging that our struggles are an essential part of our journey.

Our wounds and limitations often hold valuable lessons, guiding us to the areas of ourselves that need healing and integration.

When we acknowledge our woundedness, we begin to understand the patterns that drive us – patterns rooted in our earliest experiences, relationships, and unmet needs. For example, a person who learned to cope with rejection by becoming highly independent might discover that this strategy also prevents them from experiencing closeness and vulnerability. By exploring these deeply ingrained behaviors and beliefs, we gain insight into how our personality was formed as a response to pain or perceived threat.

In the spiritual journey, these insights are incredibly valuable. They help us see the difference between our true nature and the roles we’ve adopted out of necessity. As we work through our issues and allow ourselves to feel the pain we once suppressed, we start to dismantle the walls we’ve built around ourselves. This process requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to stay with our pain long enough to understand it. But as we do, we begin to experience a freedom that is rooted not in escape but in true self-acceptance.

Uncovering the Secrets in the Nooks and Crannies of the Psyche

As we dive deeper into our inner world, the «nooks and crannies» of our psyche begin to reveal their secrets. These hidden places hold the memories, emotions, and beliefs that we’ve tucked away, often because they were too painful or confusing to face. Yet, by bringing awareness to these forgotten or rejected parts of ourselves, we start to see the full picture of who we are and how we came to be.

For instance, we may uncover memories of rejection that shaped our belief in our unworthiness, or instances where we were taught to suppress anger, leading us to struggle with assertiveness. These insights can be unsettling, but they also offer a path to healing. By examining the origins of our fears, anxieties, and emotional reactions, we release the hold these past experiences have on us. We realize that our identity is not limited to these experiences, even though they have influenced us.

The act of shining light on our shadows can be transformative, as it dissolves the power these hidden aspects have over us.

When we bring presence to these forgotten parts of ourselves, we create a space for them to be integrated into our whole being. Rather than remaining unconscious forces that drive us, these aspects become part of our story, enriching our understanding and compassion for ourselves and others.

Moving Beyond Limitation

As we embrace both the light and shadow within, the «field» of awareness opens, allowing us to see ourselves from a new perspective. No longer defined by our wounds, coping mechanisms, or aspirations for higher states, we start to experience a deeper, more grounded sense of being. This field of awareness reveals a spaciousness where all parts of us are welcome, where we are no longer fighting against our limitations but learning from them.

In this expansive awareness, we encounter a profound sense of acceptance. We no longer feel the need to change who we are or escape our suffering to become «spiritually evolved.» Instead, we realize that true spirituallity is not about ascending to a perfect state but embracing every aspect of our humanity with openness and compassion.

In this space of acceptance, we begin to experience moments of true freedom. We see that our worth is not contingent on transcending our issues or reaching a higher state but on being fully present with who we are, here and now.

This is the essence of a balanced spirituality: a practice rooted in reality, grounded in presence, and open to the mysteries of both the human and the divine.

The Path to Genuine Spiritual Growth

True spiritual growth arises from a balanced approach – one that honors both the transcendence of higher states and the humility of inner healing. By reconnecting with presence and embracing our suffering, wounds, and limitations, we move beyond mere «spiritual evolution» and into a deeper, more integrated understanding of ourselves. In this journey, we find not only a sense of peace but a greater capacity for compassion, resilience, and authentic connection.

As we explore the depths of our psyche and touch the essence of our being, the nooks and crannies of our mind open to reveal the wisdom hidden within our own experiences.

Here, we find that the most profound transformation is not about escaping who we are but embracing ourselves completely. This grounded spirituality teaches us that true growth lies in the courage to face our shadows, the grace to accept our humanity, and the wisdom to see ourselves as we truly are – complex, flawed, and deeply connected to the vast field of awareness that holds us all.