Questions are powerful tools for spiritual growth: Questions have the power to lead us to enlightenment. Certain questions are in-built within us. Humans have been asking these questions from time immemorial. Questions such as ‘Who am I?’, ‘Why am I here?’ etc. might have occurred to you sometime. These are perennial and profound questions which may have lost their impact with time.
Even if you are trapped in a place with nowhere to go or no one to talk to, questions can serve as a powerful anchor not only to keep you sane, but as a tool to always grow spiritually. The key is to ask empowering questions. Disempowering questions such as ‘Why me?’, ‘When will this stop?’, ‘When will the other person change?’ etc. only lead you into a downward spiral of negativity.
Let us look at some profound questions that will automatically propel you towards your happy natural state of spiritual bliss. Instead of forcing yourself to accept a given situation, it is better to ask a gentle question, “Can I accept this?” This question usually automatically helps you accept the situation without any resistance. Let us begin the New Year by answering this question: What spiritual questions should I ask myself in 2015?
The first recommended question for 2015 is: Is the lamp within me that I want to behold again and again, lit? Use this question to remind yourself of the consciousness within you and within which you are. This question would remind you about your divine nature. It helps to be aware whether you have moved away from your divine nature or whether you are moving towards it. If you are indulging in a negative behavioural pattern or feeling low because of a Self-limiting belief, immediately ask this question. You will be reminded about the divinity within you and operate from a happy natural state automatically.
The second recommended question for 2015 is: If today was the last day of my life prior to enlightenment, how would I live this day? The question is not how you would live today if it was the last day of your life. The question is: if you were to be enlightened the very next day, how would you live today? How would you live in preparation for your enlightenment? On enlightenment, the sense of separation dissolves. If the individual personality who assumes himself or herself to be limited will no longer exist, how will your life be today? You will notice that this question cuts off the labels of good or bad, past or future etc. It roots you in the present, in an egoless state.
The third question for 2015 is: Whom should I forgive and seek forgiveness from today? Again, the idea is not to force yourself to seek forgiveness or forgive others. By asking this question, you mentally scan the events of the day where karmic bondage could have been created and liberate yourself from such events by asking for forgiveness or by forgiving the other person mentally. If you like, you may directly communicate with the person in question, having mentally forgiven or having sought forgiveness. Always remember that the treasure trove of forgiveness is within you and you can use this power whenever you want.
The fourth suggested question for 2015 is: What is the true weight of whatever I resist? Understand this important question. You resist sights, sounds, smells, feelings, etc. This could be things you do not like to see, or hear. It could be painful sensations, tiredness, negative emotions such as sorrow, guilt, etc. At such times, ask this question to yourself gently. This will make you notice the emotion and make you aware whether it is indeed as big as you make it out to be. Is the physical sensation or the emotion worth 10 grams or is it 10 pounds? Asking the question will teach you to see things as they are without the exaggeration of the mind.
The fifth key question for 2015 is: Is thy will indeed my will? Lot of people mechanically say: Thy (God’s) will is my will’. When you put this up to yourself as a question, then you will be nudged to truly surrender to the almighty, the Higher Self without doing so mechanically. This question ensures that a divine response ensues from you. Awaken yourself through this question.
The sixth question for 2015 is: What divine role is the other person playing in my life? The idea is to look at others in your life not as a ‘body’, but as a part of a miracle. This question will help you not see the other person as a contributor to your problems, but as a co-creator. Let us look at an example: If you wish to be more courageous, there will be someone in your life who makes you fearful. He or she is your co-creator. The person whom you are resisting as someone who nags you is actually a co-creator in the miracle of life to make you more peaceful. Any resistance within you will dissolve, even if it is a boss-employee relationship or of that between a daughter-in law and a mother-in-law.
These are six suggested questions. You may add a few more. For example: ‘Is this real or unreal?’ is a great question that hones your ability to ‘discern the truth’ (Viveka). The power of the right question is that you can always be connected to the Higher Self through such introspection.
Let 2015 be the year when you grow even more spiritually through the power of right questions.