Today there is no comprehensive, unambiguous and final answer to the question of what spiritual development is. Why so? There are a lot of reasons - from the difference in religious views to the differences in the political and economic structure of a single country. Naturally, the individuality of each person and the historical path of society and society with its traditions, labels and prejudices also influence. But what to do?
Attempt to define
Although it is clear from the foregoing that there can be no single answer, it is nevertheless necessary to outline some framework for further consideration of the issue. Spiritual development is a definite indicator of certain qualities of an individual person that are associated with his ethics, inner world and morality. This is a reflection of their mission, mission. The spiritual development of the personality is inextricably linked with the degree of understanding of the universe, its integrity. And also with the realization of his own responsibility for all events in life.
Self-improvement movement
Spiritual development is a process, it is a way. You can not take it as a result or a line that needs to be crossed. If this process is stopped, then the person will immediately begin to degrade, since the spiritual development of the person cannot be paused. This movement from the smallest to the largest, this is a process that has its own specific characteristics, like any other. These include speed, direction, magnitude of changes. To really improve something that can be measured in some way. This means that it is possible to qualitatively monitor the dynamics of development at different levels (or stages). How to navigate the question regarding the direction? Very simple - you need to look at the result. If practice makes life better, easier, brighter and more interesting, if a person becomes kinder, more tolerant, there is harmony and peace within him - he is on the right track. If a person experiences inspiration, joy, emotional uplift from the fact that his personality is growing, becoming mature, morality is improving, his ability to penetrate the essence of things is improving, then his path is right.
Directions of the way
Spiritual and moral development in today's society is achievable by different methods - alternative and traditional. What could it be? The spiritual development of a person should begin with social and cultural activities. In addition to this, there may be: literature - the Bible, the Quran, the Vedas, the Avesta, Tripitaka; spiritual personal practices - meditations, rituals, ceremonies, exercises; visiting holy places such as Mecca, Vatican, Tibet, Shaolin. As you can see, there are a huge number of options, and they are all individual. Perhaps the beginning of the spiritual path will be Hatha Yoga or the books of the Holy Fathers of the Church. It is necessary to listen to yourself, your heart.
Small remark
Life shows that a very deep error on such a path as spiritual development is the prevalence of external influence on the will, personality, body, mind, feelings and emotions of a person. These are only external, insignificant circumstances. At first, they can play an important role, but as they progress, they must fade into the background or disappear altogether. True spirituality originates and grows within. The world itself gives certain signs of practice, where it should move further and how.
The need for satellite and support
Any process is subject to certain laws. If there is any development, for example, a nuclear reaction, then it is subject to the laws of physics. The spiritual development of society is the values that are inherent in every person. On this path, it is important to have an assistant, companion, partner. You should not be shy to discuss certain aspects with your soulmate or with a friend. If the interlocutors do not share the aspirations, then it’s okay. Just set an example. Naturally, qualitative growth and development will be noticeable, and there is a high probability that the partner (or comrade) will also be interested in raising their own level of spirituality. It is necessary to provide him with help and support so that a person feels confident and comfortable.
The development of personality or spirituality?
The word “personality” is a combination of socially significant qualities (interests, needs, abilities, views, moral beliefs). In this case, we can say that the development of personality is a work that is aimed at revealing individual characteristics, self-realization in society, manifestation of oneself. This is an indicator that is created by man. But what is spiritual development? In the literal sense of the word - a manifestation of the spirit in man and in the world. It turns out that this term may not be associated at all with implementation in society. You can say "spiritual development of culture." But how will this concept be attributed to individual individuals? Naturally, you can combine the words and say “moral and spiritual development of the individual,” but what is the difference between them and how significant is it?
Distinctions
Personal development is a process of effective implementation of a person in society. In this case, the boundaries are set from the outside, that is, by society. The external environment stimulates the action, and it also limits it. Personal development is the material side of human being. This includes the desire to be successful, to make good money. But spiritual development is a search for internal boundaries, caused by oneself, the desire to meet with one's “I”. At the same time, there is no desire to “become someone,” but there is a need to receive answers to eternal questions: who am I, why am I, where are I from? The spiritual development of man is a process of understanding himself, his nature, his masks, which are not dependent on any external indicators and circumstances.
Difference in the way
Personal development always implies a goal that must be achieved within a certain time frame. There is an end point, there is an initial one. That is why we can say that this is the "path of achievement." It is assumed that there is something outside that limits us, and it is precisely overcoming this restriction that is the way to achieve what we want. And if there is an intangible goal, for example, to be happy? Indeed, this is an internal sensation, subjective. In personal development, it is replaced by certain material objects - a million dollars, marriage and so on. If a goal is supposed to be sought and achieved, then this is not spiritual development. After all, it comes from a completely different state - this is comprehension, search, experience, feeling, cognition of reality here and now.
Self discovery
For personal development, someone needs some kind of obstacle. You need to become better and more perfect than someone. That is what is important and necessary. The spiritual development of the personality implies the discovery of oneself through the acceptance of oneself. A person begins to be interested in himself, what he already has. There is no desire to become someone else. This is an exclusively internal process, because nothing and no one is needed, there is no need for support or approval. Internal knowledge appears, internal strength, various illusions about the surrounding reality and oneself disappear.
Attitude to the future and present
Personal growth is completely and absolutely built on the images of the future, on futuristic paintings. If we don’t have something now, then we must take some steps so that this “something” appears in the near future. We are committed to tomorrow and live it. The biggest problem in this way of life and worldview is the depreciation of the present time, since in this version it is not of special value. Spiritual development implies a completely different attitude to time - the absolute irrelevance of the past and the future, because there is only the present, and only it is valuable. Attention is directed to the realization of the current moment of life. External situations only provide an incentive for research.
Availability of warranties
Personal development cannot exist without any guarantees. Although it is clear that one hundred percent future is unknown to anyone in this constantly changing world, it is the illusion of security and stability that is important. In this case, everything becomes only a means, and freedom - the goal. Everything is perceived not as an event occurring, but as a reward for labor. The spiritual development of a person is deprived of any guarantees - this is complete and absolute unknown. Everything is perceived as a process of comprehension, without subjective assessments.
Ideals
In personal development, there is always some kind of ideal, the desire for it. Be it an ideal relationship, a search for an ideal job, an ideal life. This is necessary to feel the significance of oneself and one's life. That is why in personal development they use such assessments as “good” and “bad”, “moral” and “immoral”, “moral” and “immoral”. In spiritual development, there are no evaluative concepts, since any action has its own hidden meaning that needs to be known. There is no ideal, but there is a desire and desire to know the essence.