“Spirituality” is really about Spiritual Awareness, hence, an awakening from the ignorance that binds us, and Social Criticism is a movement supporting that purpose.

So much of Spirituality often involves Social Criticism, which is something misunderstood by people who seeking God or are on the path of Truth.

Many people are led to believe that spirituality means escape from the world, and in that, permits a lack of evaluation of the environment we live in. But the truth is, many prophets and teachers who have created much of our spiritual religions and beliefs were social critics, as well as philosophers—who constantly challenged the ideas of our times—in order to help free people from the traps and bindings of the social paradigm (or mental illusions).

The point of Social Criticism is to bring Spiritual Awareness into a situation—and not to destroy any given paradigm, for paradigms and levels of consciousness will always exist and continue to shift. So to achieve social “change,” is not to destroy, but to shed light.

“Spirituality” is really about Spiritual Awareness, hence, an awakening from the ignorance that binds us, and Social Criticism of a movement supporting that purpose.

Social Criticism from the standpoint of Spiritual Awareness is different from Intellectual Awareness. Whereas the former is purifying, the latter is karma (conflict) producing. Nevertheless is it difficult to write about Social Criticism or even express it from a Spiritual point of view, in order to “raise awareness” on a Soul level—as opposed to a “social level.”

I often think of Spiritual Awareness as “In-tivism” where as Intellectual Awareness is “activism.” Each has their place, but I entirely believe that change starts Within; therefore working on the Invtivist level alters the environment, personal relations, and the collective world as well as the Universe in a much broader and expansive manner. Intellectualism or Awareness on the Activist level is bound by time and condition. The changes that are created through Intellectualism are materialistic and subject to the negative forces that reverse the actions taken place: hence always creating a cyclical battle for peace, liberation, freedom etc.

Invitism works for the greater whole in a long lasting manner, and that is why the path of Intivism is the path of Truth.

With this said, I have been contemplating about removing some of my essays from this blog: mainly, “Chicken World“, which talks about my view of how spiritual degradation develops in the socialization process. I worried that it will disturb people in an unhealthy or destructive way. After careful consideration, I decided to keep it where it is for those who feel a need for it, may find it, whereas those who are comfortable with the way things are (in the social order)—may find some insight and move on.

I know that being in this world (the social world) is very important. I would not want to take that away from anyone nor do I have the capacity or desire to do so.

However, my concern is really for the Youth, because it is important for them to dream and to continue achieve goals. So I do not want younger people (high school/ college age) to read this material and be conflicted. I feel that it’s important in life to maintain a certain level of “ignorance” or “naivety” to have the thick skin, and courage to Survive. At the heart of all of this, Survival, whether on the physical or spiritual sense is essential.

Still, having the insight to come into any situation in life with Spiritual Awareness will save the youth a lot of trouble in the long run, and they will be able to build a much better society—than the one we’ve had for a long while.

Love,

Ji

by Ji Rising/ Blogasana.com